Fernando Frías de la Parra directs “I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me” with skill, and the result is a comedy-thriller available on Netflix. Tragically, a writer’s life and career take a dark turn as he becomes entangled in a web of criminals just before relocating to Barcelona. Juan Pablo Villalobos and his girlfriend Valentina go to Barcelona so Juan Pablo can get a doctorate degree in literature. Still, he becomes entangled in a criminal organization just before he departs Mexico, which propels him to pen his ideal novel even as his life takes surreal and ominous twists.
As we set out on the adventure of “I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me,” it’s critical to acknowledge the creative forces that work in concert to create the conditions for a story that goes beyond the bounds of traditional storytelling. tvacute now investigates Juan Pablo Villalobos’ fascinating universe and works out the story.
Is ‘I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me’ Based on a Novel or True Story?
“I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me” is not based on a true story but rather draws inspiration from a novel. The film is an adaptation of Juan Pablo Villalobos’s 2016 novel, “No Voy a Pedirle a Nadie Que me Crea” (translated as “I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me”) which is his fourth book, was awarded the Herralde Prize. While the narrative incorporates elements inspired by Villalobos’s own experiences, it is crucial to note that the novel is not an autobiography but falls under the genre of autofiction.
Autofiction allows authors to blend real-life experiences with fictional elements, and in this case, Villalobos created a protagonist who shares his name and some similarities in background but exists within the confines of a fictional narrative. The story explores the author’s exploration of Barcelona, where he moved in 2003 to pursue a literary theory doctorate with the support of an EU grant.
Real Author Juan Pablo Villalobos was born in Mexico in 1973. Down the Rabbit Hole, his 2011 debut book, was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award after being published by And Other Stories. In addition, he wrote the books I’ll Sell You a Dog (2016) and Quesadillas (2011). Along with his wife and two kids, he currently resides in Spain after having resided in Mexico and Brazil.
The film, directed by Fernando Frias, faithfully adapts the thematic richness of Villalobos’s novel, preserving its satirical and critical take on real-life issues, particularly humor in Latin American literature. While the film involves adjustments for the cinematic medium, it maintains a dutiful reflection of reality, offering viewers a captivating and thrilling experience that transcends the boundaries between fact and fiction.
