Naman Shrestha
Netflix’s ‘I Am Not Mendoza’ acquaints us with Julián Garcia, a kind-hearted and naive debt collector leading a rather peaceful life. On a seemingly regular day, he is abducted and forced to presume the identity of a lookalike wealthy yet corrupt casino owner named Mendoza. Now that Julián is pulled into another man’s life, he must deal with the luxurious and dangerous aspects of his life, including his deadly past. While navigating Mendoza’s life, he must deal with a forced marriage with his fiancée Laura Santander and dodge attacks from the mafia, who are after his life.
Originally titled ‘Yo No Soy Mendoza,’ the romantic comedy series is developed by Miguel García Moreno, Mariana Palos, Alejandra Rodriguez, Luis Gamboa, and Celia Kim and brought to life by the hilarious performances from Vadhir Derbez and Laura Londoño. The narrative unfolds in Mexico City but there is a noticeable shift in the visuals and backdrops once the protagonist is made to leave behind his regular life and embrace a life full of luxury.
I Am Not Mendoza Filming Locations
The shooting of ‘I Am Not Mendoza’ is primarily carried out in various parts of Colombia, especially Bogota and Cartagena de Indias. Since the show is set in Mexico City, a minor portion of the show is also filmed on location. As per reports, the principal photography for the inaugural iteration of the comedy series got underway in the first week of April 2024 and continued for the following three months or so before getting wrapped up in July of the same year.
Bogota, Colombia
Most of the pivotal sequences for ‘I Am Not Mendoza’ were lensed in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Officially known as Bogotá, Distrito Capital, the city hosted the production of the series by allowing the cast and crew members to set up camp across different streets and neighborhoods, utilizing different establishments. Several portions were shot in and around the Centro Historico and Centro de Bogota areas. As per reports, La Macarena is one of the neighborhoods that was turned into a film set for a few scenes.
In order to shoot the church marriage scenes, the filming unit took over the Convento Santo Domingo de Guzman at Cra. 1 No. 68 – 50 in the neighborhood of Rosales. Constructed in the 16th century and being one of the oldest churches in Bogota, its cultural significance is undeniable. From what we can tell, various key scenes were also filmed using the facilities of FoxTelecolombia S.A. in Bogota. Besides the diverse shooting spots, another reason the makers decided to tape the show in Bogota is the CINA (Audiovisual Investment Certificate) incentive, which offers a 35% tax discount on audiovisual expenses.
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Apart from being one of the major ports on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region, Cartagena also served as a prominent production location for ‘I Am Not Mendoza.’ Also known as Cartagena de Indias, the city is home to a number of gorgeous beaches, some of which were utilized for taping a few pivotal exterior scenes. In the backdrop, you are also likely to spot popular establishments and landmarks, including Teatro Adolfo Mejía, the Cartagena Cathedral, the Puerta del Reloj, and more.
Mexico City, Mexico
For shooting purposes, the filming unit of ‘I Am Not Mendoza’ also traveled to the capital of Mexico — Mexico City. In an establishing shot, you can spot the distinguishable Reforma Capital building at Avenida Paseo de la Reforma in the neighborhood of Juárez. The Izakaya Sushi restaurant located on the ground floor of the building was redecorated and renamed Casino Par de Joker for the comedy series. Besides ‘I Am Not Mendoza,’ the diverse locales of Mexico City have been featured in various other projects, such as ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,’ ‘Ex-Husbands,’ ‘The Librarian: Quest for the Spear,’ ‘Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,’ and ‘The House of Flowers.’
Read More: Where is Netflix’s The Gardener Filmed?
