Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas did not follow a straight career line. He built it one chapter at a time. Lawyer. filmmaker. Producer. Partner. Athlete. His career shows how skills in one area can contribute to success in another years later.
Bernardo lives in Monterrey, Mexico and is now best known for his work as an award-winning documentary filmmaker and partner in a post-production studio. But his professional career began far away from film sets.
Growing up in Monterrey: Discipline and exercise
Bernardo grew up in Monterrey, Mexico. Movement was part of his life from a young age. He rode BMX and mountain bike every day. This routine shaped his way of thinking.
“On the bike you learn to concentrate,” he says. “You fall, get up and keep going.”
This early discipline stayed with him. It showed up later in his professional life, even though the work looked very different.
Study law and start a company
Bernardo studied law at the Universidad Regiomontana. He became a lawyer and later a partner in a law firm, a role he held from 2008 to 2022.
The law taught him structure. Contracts. Planning. Risk.
“An idea is only important if you turn it into a plan,” he says. “Step by step.”
He worked in the legal world for more than a decade. But another interest kept growing in the background.
Getting into filmmaking through curiosity
In 2013, Bernardo began directing and producing documentaries. At first it wasn’t about awards or size. It was about telling a story well.
“When I make films, my goal is simple,” he says. “I want people to sit down, forget themselves and enjoy a story.”
His legal background helped more than expected. Negotiation. Organization. Long deadlines.
“People think filmmaking is just creativity,” he says. “It’s also about contracts, schedules and persistence.”
Breakthrough with award-winning documentaries
Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas
The first major documentary, The Weekend Sailor, brought international recognition. The film, which featured world-class sailors, reached an audience far beyond Mexico.
On the project he worked with Simon Le Bon, the lead singer of Duran Duran. The film was screened worldwide and received major awards, including recognition at high-profile film festivals and events in Europe and the United States.
“Working with top people in your field changes your standards,” says Bernardo. “You learn how important preparation is.”
His second major documentary, The Michoacán File, further expanded his reach. Well-known chefs and the main actor Danny Trejo were involved in the film. The film also received major awards, including the James Beard Award, as well as honors at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Awards followed, but Bernardo remained focused on the process.
“I made a lot of mistakes,” he says. “Everyone was a lesson.”
Building a film business, not just films
Today Bernardo is a partner in a post-production studio. He balances the creative direction with operational decisions.
“Creativity needs structure,” he says. “Without them, projects won’t be completed.”
He sees filmmaking as a long game. Financing. Distribution. Platform access.
“My goal is to be available on many platforms,” he says. “Stories should travel.”
This entrepreneurial mindset separates hobby projects from sustainable production.
Face the doubt and stay consistent
Bernardo speaks openly about the obstacles he faced. Fear. Self-doubt. Financial pressure. Competition.
“These things are natural,” he says. “If you work hard and believe in your ideas, you can overcome them.”
Consistency is more important than bursts of motivation.
“Security, dedication and consistency,” he says. “That’s how you move forward.”
Life beyond film sets
Outside of work, Bernardo leads an active life. He is married and has three children. The family plays a central role.
“My father, my mother, my wife and my children,” he says. “They keep me grounded.”
He continues to ride enduro mountain bikes, sail, ski, cook and act. These activities promote creativity and balance.
“There’s time for everything,” he says. “Daily.”
A career based on belief in ideas
Bernardo Arsuaga Cardenas shows that careers don’t have to remain fixed. Competence transfer. Lesson stack.
“Never lose faith in your plans,” he says. “And don’t let anyone change your mind.”
From law to film, from contracts to cameras, his work reflects patience, structure and creative risk. No overnight success. Just a steady movement forward.
