Luis Mandoki makes a bold Hollywood comeback with High Tide after 20 years
Mexican director Luis Mandoki is set to return to the U.S. film scene with High Tide, his first American project in nearly 20 years. The film, currently in post-production, stars James Franco, Mía Maestro, and Ana Villafañe. Mandoki, known for breaking into Hollywood in the 1980s, has also begun work on Castro’s Daughter, a biopic about Fidel Castro’s secret child, Alina Fernández.
Mandoki first made his mark in Hollywood in the mid-1980s, becoming the first Mexican filmmaker to direct major U.S. productions. Over the years, he worked with stars like Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner, and Charlize Theron. His films, including When a Man Loves a Woman, performed well domestically, though he has noted that U.S. box office figures often overlook global earnings.
After directing Innocent Voices in Mexico in 2004, Mandoki stepped back from the U.S. industry for two decades. His return comes with High Tide, an English-language film shot in America. Details about filming locations remain unconfirmed, but the project signals his renewed focus on Hollywood. His next film, Castro’s Daughter, will explore the life of Alina Fernández, born from Fidel Castro’s affair with Natalia Revuelta Clews. Fernández grew up under a false surname before fleeing Cuba in 1993 using a fake passport and disguise. Mandoki’s name has previously appeared alongside other high-grossing foreign directors in the U.S., including Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo del Toro.
High Tide is now in its final stages of production, with no official release date yet announced. Mandoki’s return to U.S. cinema follows a long break, while Castro’s Daughter adds to his list of high-profile biographical projects. Both films mark a significant shift back toward American filmmaking for the veteran director.
