The Sentimental Engine Slayer is a 2010 film directed by Omar Rodríguez-López. Rodríguez-López wrote, produced and scored the film, as well as starring as its protagonist, Barlam. Despite Rodríguez-López completing two prior feature-length films, The Sentimental Engine Slayer is the first to screen publicly and will likely be the first available as a commercial release.Filmed entirely on location in El Paso, Texas in September/October 2007, the film features contributions from a number of persons associated with The Mars Volta, notably John Frusciante (ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers and honorary TMV guitarist; executive producer), Juan Alderete (TMV bassist; line producer); Paul Hinojos (former TMV guitarist; line producer); Sara Christina Gross (contributing saxophonist on various TMV and ORL releases; associate producer, co-production designer); Sonny Kay (Rodriguez Lopez Productions art director; co-production designer and title card design); and Lars Stalfors (live and studio engineer; sound recordist). A labor of love made possible with the favors of friends and family, The Sentimental Engine Slayer features appearances by and/or contributions of Rodríguez-López's parents and siblings, childhood friends, and a skeleton crew of industry professionals.The film premiered at the 2010 International Film Festival Rotterdam.