Weekend of cartoons and family premieres with CampeoneX
Yes, life is viewed like a comic book by a filmmaker who sees in laughter a doorway to goodness. He belongs to a family of nine siblings and grew up nurtured by them, a memory that informs his work and his optimism. The return of CampeoneX adds an intriguing twist by placing video games and the challenges of mental and physical disabilities at the center of the narrative. The film arrives in theaters on August 18, inviting audiences into an inclusive and uplifting experience. Javier Fesser stands out as a creator who blends humor with humanity, and his work continues to spark lively conversations.
Do you see life as a comic book?
The filmmaker answers plainly that he does. Stories come to him through the visual cadence of comics, and he is drawn to the reality that cartoons convey. This perspective shapes how he approaches storytelling and audience connection, making the medium a tool for truth as much as for entertainment. [Source: Film interview]
It is true that he has made a moral-toned cartoon in the past. The message he hints at is not about preaching but about recognizing patterns of behavior that appear again and again in everyday life, especially in competitive moments. The point, he says, is less about morality and more about a candid look at human impulses that surface when people strive to win or to be seen.
In the second minute of a scene, one of his memorable characters offers a revealing moment. Are the players in his stories happy?
Joy emerges as a hallmark of the depicted world. The characters who navigate disability in his films tend to celebrate small victories and to embrace moments of shared laughter as a form of resilience. Happiness, in this view, becomes a cooperative achievement rather than a solitary goal.
Are you completely sure about this?
Affirmative. The filmmaker notes that he spends his days working with people who often demonstrate a level of openness that makes laughter feel natural. Those who live with differences are portrayed with maturity, teaching audiences how to accept others as they are without labeling or ranking. The point is to challenge preconceived notions and to celebrate authentic human connection.
And so they do not classify or label. Isn’t this growing importance clear as society learns more about the harm of stereotypes?
They tend to avoid the most harmful prejudices and they resist exposing themselves to the lens just for appearances. A character named Gloria Ramos is cited, reflecting how real conversations and humor can illuminate the lived experiences of people from different places. The film centers on a video game creator who faces severe physical limitations, a role that underscores the reality of living with disability while staying true to self and community. The tone remains candid and true to life, offering a synthesis of topics discussed on screen.
The inward thread that connects all we are to the places we go often traces back to our earliest years.
Fesser has spoken about a provocative idea: intellectual capacity can be overrated. Should hearts and emotions guide us toward greater happiness?
He suggests that society should measure well-being not by numbers in mathematics alone but by whether children feel seen, safe, and free to explore. Emotional intelligence in disabled individuals is described as profound, with a capacity to give comfort and warmth that may surpass what abstract tests reveal. The question returns to what disability means and whether it should define anyone. In this view, disabilities are a shared human experience, not a boundary.
The conversation asks why the smartest beings are not always the most emotionally prepared, and what happens when a limitation requires new strengths. He answers that limitations can push a person to develop other abilities and to balance emotions to care for others. Prejudices do not help moves toward understanding; they simply do not fit the framework of genuine respect.
Javier, why are you revisiting this theme with Champions and its impact on disabled cinema?
The filmmaker explains that the aim was to present the reality of disability from within, to explore family dynamics, work, and love in a way that feels true. Public interest after the first film created a path to examine these issues more deeply, inviting viewers into a world where ordinary life and extraordinary challenges intersect.
What moments in life between birth and adolescence shaped you so strongly?
Everything that follows is framed by those early years. The belief is that early experiences shape personality, fears, talents, and the way a person relates to others. He expresses gratitude for the love his parents and siblings showed him, a foundation that allowed him to move through life with curiosity and resilience.
This film, more than others, invites a childlike gaze—curious and unconditioned by adult expectations. When the soul feels new, the world seems open and unjaded, which is the source of the hopeful tone that runs through the work.
A question turns to family dynamics: do his children ever feel embarrassed by their father’s choices?
The candid answer is no. A lighthearted memory of making a short TV series with his youngest son at a very tender age is recalled, a project filled with joy and playful collaboration. It stands as a reminder that work and family can blend into something meaningful and fun.
How significant is religion in shaping his outlook?
He explains a journey from practicing faith as a youth to adopting a more human-centered worldview. Catholic upbringing left a lasting imprint, but the path moved toward a belief in humanity and love between people. That shift is described as a turning point toward a broader, more inclusive understanding of life.
So did he transition from a monotheistic frame to a more humanistic one?
Not entirely a conversion, but a move toward embracing human potential without reliance on a higher authority as the sole guarantor of meaning. The family’s loving environment and faith provided a compassionate foundation that continues to influence his storytelling and direct approach.
Once trust is established, barriers tend to fall away.
He acknowledges the influence of his father on his wit and his mother’s enduring kindness, noting that his mother remains a remarkably modern and sharp presence in the family. Her memory and intellect are described as vast, a testament to a life lived with focus and warmth.
Has he ever faced an enemy in the course of his career?
The answer is no. He has not aimed to create antagonism; rather, he has pursued stories that illuminate, connect, and uplift. He does not feel like anyone’s enemy and he prefers collaboration over conflict.
As the eighth child in a large family, is he bred for cunning or resilience?
It is not about being fast or starving for resources. It is about adaptability and the flexibility that comes from sharing a crowded childhood. The experience taught him to navigate different perspectives and to appreciate the varied memories people carry of the same moments.
What did he do when the others were playing football?
He turned to basketball and found a coach who introduced him to athletics. His talents in sprinting and long jump rose to national levels, a testament to a coach’s trust and the power of dedication.
Is that why Champions leans into athletics in the sequel?
He reflects that the direction was never planned with such clarity, but the ethos of trust and the extraordinary things people can achieve when believed in resonates through the story. The film presents a world where reality fuels imagination, and even the most unlikely moments can become truth on the screen.