Jonathan Cuartas’ feature debut, My Heart Can’t Beat Forgot You Tell It To, is not just a film, but a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of an independent filmmaker working outside the conventional confines of the U.S. film industry. A Miami native, Cuartas ventured far from the bustling film hubs of Los Angeles and New York to create a deeply intimate and unique horror drama that reflects his passion for filmmaking and his determination to bring his creative vision to life.
From short film to feature film: developing a concept
Every filmmaker has an artistic breakthrough. For Cuartas, that moment was an unexpected pitch for his graduate film class. While finishing up his studies at Miami Dade College’s School of Entertainment & Design Technology, he wanted to do a separate project, but his friend/producer couldn’t make it into the class. Instead, he pitched “Kuru,” a short film that combined concepts from “Dogtooth” and “Let the Right One In.” Little did he know at the time that that shot would become the concept for his first feature film.
The short film allowed Cuartas to hone his storytelling, sharpen his directorial voice, and build a solid foundation for the larger project. By proving his concept on a smaller scale, Cuartas was able to show potential collaborators and financiers that his vision was not only feasible, but compelling enough to warrant expanding into a full-length feature.
The transition from short film to feature often requires an expansion of the themes, characters, and world initially introduced. Cuartas took on this challenge by deepening the emotional core of his film and delving into the complex relationships at the heart of the story. The intimacy of the short film was carried over to the feature, but with more room to explore the psychological and emotional nuances of the characters, the film evolved into something even more powerful and touching.
The catalyst that made his first film a reality was his brother’s contact with producer Kenny Riches. Jonathan’s brother Michael contacted Kenny frequently until the opportunity arose to work on his third directorial project, “A Name Without A Place.” The Cuartas brothers were heavily involved in the project and developed a deep friendship with Kenny, who eventually helped them secure financing for her Film about his and Matt Wigham’s production company Dualist.
Working with the family: A cinematic connection
One of the most remarkable aspects of Jonathan Cuartas’ filmmaking career is his collaboration with his family, particularly his brother and father. The Cuartas family played a crucial role in the making of My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To, and their collaboration is a reflection of the deep bonds that can form when family and creativity collide.
Jonathan’s brother Michael Cuartas served as cinematographer on the project, and their close collaboration allowed for a seamless fusion of vision and execution. Michael’s ability to capture the stark, eerie beauty of the film’s sets was critical to the film’s haunting atmosphere. The film’s visual style – characterized by moody lighting, tight framing, and a sense of claustrophobia – perfectly complements Jonathan’s storytelling, creating a coherent and immersive experience for audiences. Michael was so much more than just the cinematographer, and it’s wonderful to see such a close and supportive collaboration between two brothers who went from working at Publix and Chili’s to making feature films.
Their father, Rodrigo, took on the role of production designer for this film. Having long been a moral support to his sons, they officially began collaborating on the short film The Horse and the Deer. For Rodrigo, this is a full-circle experience. He once dreamed of becoming an architect or pursuing a creative career, but had to give it all up to raise his family. Jonathan feels honored and grateful to be giving his father a second chapter where he can finally explore his great creativity. Rodrigo is clearly not a Nepo father, his work in the film speaks for itself, and the house where most of the action takes place feels like a character in itself.
The Cuartas family’s collaboration isn’t just a behind-the-scenes detail—it’s woven into the fabric of the film itself. The themes of family loyalty, sacrifice, and the burdens we carry for those we love are central to the narrative of My Heart Can’t Beat, and these themes take on even more significance when viewed through the lens of the Cuartas family’s collaborative process.
If you haven’t seen Jonathan’s debut yet, you can watch it now on Prime, Peacock, ScreamBox, Tubi, and other streamers.
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