Kuno Becker
As one of Mexico's most recognized young stars in the International market, Kuno Becker has made a lasting impression on audiences with his most recent portrayal as Santiago Munez in the “Goal!†trilogy by executive producers, Mark Huffam and Lawrence Bender, producer Mike Jefferies, director Jaume Collet-Serra and presented by Buena Vista International.
“Goal! 1 The Dream Begins†was released in 2006 and told the story of Santiago, a young man with great talent and an even greater dream – to be a professional footballer. Living in East LA, he is a million miles and a lifetime away from making that dream a reality. In a twist of fate, he finds himself trying out for Newcastle United and learning to play the game with the professionals. Releasing in U.S. theaters this summer, “Goal! 2 Living the Dream†follows Santiago as he is transferred to Real Madrid and learns that being a celebrity could cost him more than he imagined. The third installment, written and directed by Michael Apted, will resume production this summer as Santiago represents his home country in the world’s biggest soccer/fútbol event, the FIFA World Cup.
Becker’s additional feature film projects have drawn attention from the film industry and media. In "Nomad", a historic epic set in 18th century Kazakhstan, also to release this year, Becker portrayed Mansur, a young leader destined to one day unite the three warring tribes. Based on a script by Rustam Ibragimbekov, directed by Ivan Passer directing and executive produced by Milos Forman, the film also stars Jay Hernandez and Jason Scott Lee. The film was recently acquired at the Cannes Film Festival by The Weinstein Co. and it is scheduled for an early 2007 release. Becker also starred in Jimmy Nickerson’s “From Mexico with Love†as a self-destructive young boxer, and alongside Macaulay Culkin in “Sex and Breakfast†by writer/director Miles Brandman.
Becker made his big-screen debut in 2003 with acclaimed writer/director Antonio Serrano’s "Lucia, Lucia" (AKA "La Hija del CanÃbal") opposite Cecilia Roth. The film continued the extraordinary new wave of Mexican cinema as the follow-up project to "Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas." That same year, he also starred in Academy Award winner writer/director Christopher Hampton’s "Imagining Argentina," working with Antonio Banderas, Emma Thompson and Rubén Blades on a story of love during a time of brutal dictatorship in the 1970s.
Becker has won Mexico’s prestigious Heraldo Award (1999), as well as the Califas de Oro Award, given to the best young actors in Mexico. He has been twice named “Best Young Actor†by Eres magazine (the Teen People of Latin America), was a 2006 People’s Choice Award nominee for his work on “Goal!†and has graced the covers of numerous magazines. Born and raised in Mexico City, Becker studied the violin at the Mozarteum of Salzburg, Austria from the age of six and went on to become an accomplished violinist. At 17, he decided to change routes and become an actor. He later graduated from Televisa’s prestigious Center for Artistic Education in Mexico.