When we speak of Alma by Rhythms of the Night, it is impossible not to highlight the creative mind behind its breathtaking stage design: Eugenio Caballero, a name that resonates across international cinema and live performance. Born in Mexico City, Caballero is an Academy Award®–winning production designer and art director who has elevated Mexican artistry to the world stage.
From Mexico City to Hollywood
Caballero studied Art History and Film History in Florence, where he developed a unique sensitivity for visual storytelling. He began his career working on short films and music videos, earning early recognition, including an MTV Film and Television Award. Soon after, he moved into feature films, laying the foundation for a career defined by imagination and precision.
His breakthrough came with Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, which earned him the Academy Award® for Best Art Direction, alongside the Ariel Award, the Art Directors Guild Award, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, and multiple international nominations, including the BAFTAs and Goyas. This achievement not only solidified his reputation, but also confirmed his gift for creating worlds that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant.
A Dreamlike Filmography
Throughout his career, Caballero has worked on nearly 30 films, twenty of them as production designer. His collaborations include acclaimed directors such as Jim Jarmusch (The Limits of Control), Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet), Alfonso Cuarón (Roma), Carlos Cuarón (Rudo y Cursi), Sebastián Cordero (Crónicas), Floria Sigismondi (The Runaways), Russell Mulcahy (Resident Evil: Extinction), and J. A. Bayona (The Impossible and A Monster Calls).
Each project reveals his ability to shape stories through space and atmosphere—whether it’s the magical realism of A Monster Calls, the raw intimacy of Roma, or the dark fantasy of Pan’s Labyrinth. For Caballero, production design is never mere decoration; it is storytelling in its purest visual form.
Crossing Borders with Live Art
Caballero’s artistry extends far beyond cinema. In 2014, he designed the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, and in 2016 he collaborated with Daniele Finzi to create Luzia, one of Cirque du Soleil’s most acclaimed productions. These experiences showcased his ability to craft large-scale live performances with the same narrative depth and visual poetry that define his film work.
Alma by Rhythms of the Night: A Dream in the Jungle
His contribution to Alma is a natural extension of this vision. Set deep in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta, the show blends acrobatics, m usic, and mythology with an immersive stage design that transforms the environment into a sacred pyramid glowing with fire and light. Under Caballero’s direction, the stage becomes more than a backdrop—it is a living, breathing character that guides the audience into a timeless world of mystery and spirit.
Alma demonstrates once again his gift for creating immersive universes where every detail—architecture, lighting, atmosphere—reinforces the narrative and stirs the imagination. It is a reminder that stage design, like cinema, can transcend spectacle and become a deeply emotional experience.
A Legacy that Inspires
Beyond the Academy Award®, the Goya, the Ariel, the Platino, and countless other international accolades, Eugenio Caballero’s true legacy lies in his ability to inspire. As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (U.S.), the Spanish Academy, and the Mexican Academy, as well as a frequent juror at international film festivals, he continues to shape the next generation of storytellers.
Today, his work on Alma by Rhythms of the Night represents the culmination of a career devoted to creating worlds that captivate and endure. Like his films, Alma is not just a performance—it is an invitation to dream, to feel, and to believe in the transformative power of art.
