Spanish Goya Winner Arantxa Echevarría Boards Chile-Vietnam-Spain Co-Production ‘The Meeting’

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In an unparalleled collaboration among Vietnam, Chile, and Spain, the film titled “The Meeting” has secured its director. This multinational project was initially introduced at the San Sebastian Film Festival back in 2023.

Arantxa Echevarría, who won Spain’s equivalent to an Oscar (Goya) for her debut feature film “Carmen and Lola” and whose political thriller “Undercover” (“La Infiltrada”) has made her the highest-grossing female director in Spanish cinematic history with €8.3 million ($8.6 million at the box office, has joined the co-production as its director and co-writer.

This political thriller narrates a significant historical event: the meeting of Chile’s fallen president, Salvador Allende, whose demise paved the way for the emergence of the ruthless military regime led by General Augusto Pinochet, which took power in 1973.

Upon discovering ‘The Meeting,’ I felt it was my role to narrate this tale. Primarily, because both figures, holding significant historical weight, were incredibly captivating. They reshaped global politics, respected one another deeply, and held a special place in me,” said Echevarría, reminiscing about her initial desire to create a documentary using her 16mm camera during her first trip to Vietnam at the age of 23.

She reminisced about Vietnam, a place that had captivated her deeply. However, the profound reverence of the Vietnamese people towards their leader, Uncle Ho – who bravely fought and triumphed against a formidable global power – left an indelible mark on her memory. Meanwhile, the words of Salvador Allende continued to echo in her thoughts. In his final address from La Moneda Palace, he implored: “The people must protect themselves, but they should not give up their lives. The people must not allow themselves to be destroyed or filled with bullets, but they cannot submit to humiliation either.

She teams up with screenwriters Amelia Mora (“Undercover”) and Héctor Manteca, as well as the acclaimed screenwriter Gonzalo Maza (“A Fantastic Woman”), who serves as a script consultant, to collaborate on a screenplay that is adapted from the original script by Antonio Luco. This project is based in Chile.

This drama is jointly produced by Patricio Ochoa from La Merced in Chile, VTV from Vietnam, Cristóbal Sotomayor from TwentyFour-Seven in both Chile and Spain, Larry Leven who has been nominated for a Goya award for “Dragonkeeper” in Spain, and Hebe Tabachnik based in the U.S., known for her work on “Valentina” and “The Perfect David”.

The project has been significantly supported by entrepreneur and filmmaker Saga Nydegger, known for “Papá al Rescate.”

Or simply:

The project is being substantially backed by Saga Nydegger, the entrepreneur and producer of “Papá al Rescate”.

Both sentences convey that Saga Nydegger is providing significant support to the project, which she is known for producing “Papá al Rescate.

As a passionate cinephile, I wholeheartedly agree with Ochoa’s sentiment. The synergy between the visionary production houses and Echevarría makes this project poised to become one of the most significant cinematic tales we’ve witnessed in recent memory.

Justice Sotomayor agreed, stating that “Collaboration across international borders is essential to narrate this tale in a way that reflects its deep cultural and political depth. Different viewpoints and insights will add layers of richness, making the narrative even more significant and meaningful.

In reference to Echevarría’s exceptional directing style, Tabachnik highlighted his “knack for developing well-rounded characters and his talent for tackling narratives with authenticity, power, yet always infused with a profound and touching human element.

Leven reminisced about filming his movie “Thi Mai” in Vietnam back in 2017. He said, “The experience etched a deep impression on me and equipped me with practical knowledge. This upcoming project involves going back to Vietnam, joining forces with none other than director Echevarría, and capturing the epic and emotional power of this remarkable tale.

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2025-01-21 19:17