As a proud representative of the Dominican Republic, I’ve had the honor of showcasing some exceptional films at the Malaga Film Festival, one of which is the heartwarming family dramedy “Perez Rodriguez” from Lantica Studios.
For over a decade, Lantica Studios, a significant factor fueling the rise in local filmmaking within Caribbean countries, has been releasing around two to three original movies annually. Besides this, it manages and operates the vast water tank facility stretching across the country, which was previously known as Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios but was rebranded as Lantica Studios following the sale of Pinewood Studios’ minority share to Lantica Media in May 2024.
one, they aim to nurture local talent; two, they strive to present Latin American narratives to global viewers; and three, they are committed to mentoring the upcoming generations who are joining the industry.
Rafael Elías Muñoz, VP of production at Lantica, emphasized that fostering local talent tends to stimulate growth in our national industry.
The first movie by director-writer Humberto Tavárez offers a satirical yet heartfelt depiction of a Dominican family dealing with generational conflicts. When a tragic event occurs, the arrival of the patriarch’s secret son disrupts their carefully constructed image, revealing hidden hypocrisies. The narrative unfolds across three celebrations, delving into Dominican identity, peculiarities of middle-class life, and the intricate nature of familial ties.
Essentially, Tavárez shared that his movie aims to depict an aspect of Dominican society often overlooked in Dominican cinema – the upper-middle class. Given the infancy of Dominican cinema, he felt it was important to capture and document this social class, its behaviors, and its functions. This is why the film carries a unique, individualistic character.
As a cinephile, I often ponder how movies portray the nurturing of youngsters in Dominican and Latin cultures, which appears to keep kids from maturing into self-reliant adults – it’s a fascinating topic!
Muñoz pointed out that there’s a widespread and profound link between generational trends and economic stability. He recalls a fact stating Baby Boomers were the wealthiest generation ever, whereas Millennials and Gen Z are finding it tough to keep their heads above water in today’s global economy. This isn’t just about luxury; it’s often a matter of survival. To preserve the living standard a family once enjoyed, assistance is frequently required, similar to the way governments provide support.
Among the expanding roster of productions from Lantica Studios, I’m thrilled to be part of the lineup that has graced prestigious film festivals such as Malaga. This includes “Aire” by Leticia Tonos, which showcased at Rotterdam; “Holy Beasts” by Israel Cardenas and Laura Amelia Guzman, who made their mark at Berlinale, just like the directing duo behind “La Hembrita,” who also appeared at Rotterdam. Pablo Chea’s “Croma Kid” was screened at both BFI London and Rotterdam, while Victoria Linares’ “Ramona” found its place at Berlinale and BFI London as well. As a cinema enthusiast, it’s truly rewarding to be associated with such esteemed company!
The attractive tax benefits offered by the country, such as a 25% tax credit that can be transferred for all eligible costs incurred within the Dominican Republic, along with a 18% exemption on Value Added Tax (VAT) for goods and services, have enticed numerous high-profile projects – most of which originate from the U.S.
Martinez mentioned that approximately 85% of the productions filmed here originate from the U.S., followed by around 10% from the U.K. The remaining 5% comes from various other locations,” said Martinez, who added that the number of international projects being filmed in DR has increased since the production slowdown caused by Hollywood’s two strikes in 2023.
Established in 2014, Lantica Studios’ complex encompasses 53,800 square feet of soundstage area, accompanied by an expansive 161,460 square feet of production support facilities. Furthermore, it boasts an eight-acre water effects facility equipped with a massive exterior water tank measuring 246 ft x 246 ft, resembling natural ocean vistas, blue screen capabilities, and a fully-furnished diving and marine department.
The growth of global and domestic production has led to a rise in the number of skilled workers available in the Dominican Republic, many of whom have gained their expertise through practical work or frequent training sessions. As Martinez explained, this shift has transformed our hiring practices from an annual average of 400-500 locals to employing around 2,000 each year.
As stated by Martinez, upon its introduction, the studio facility stood out as one-of-a-kind within the Caribbean and Central American region. Since then, the audiovisual sector in the Dominican Republic and across Latin America has thrived at an astounding pace, growing so swiftly that sometimes the existing infrastructure struggles to keep up with demand.
Lantica Studios can manage around three to four filming projects concurrently and typically handles approximately 12 to 14 projects per year, as stated by Martinez to EbMaster.
Or simply:
Lantica Studios usually takes on between 3 and 4 productions at once, with an average of about 12-14 projects per year, as shared with EbMaster by Martinez.
A list of some of the projects that were shot at Lantica Studios and on location in recent years:
“HOTEL COCAINE” (TV Series)
Director/Showrunner: Chris Brancato
Cast: Danny Pino, Michael Chiklis.
Studio: MGM
“A THOUSAND BLOWS” (TV Series)
Director/Showrunner: Stephen Knight
Cast: Stephen Graham
Studio: DISNEY +
“THE EXORCIST” (Feature)
Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Leslie Odom Jr.
Studio: UNIVERSAL
“THREE LITTLE BIRDS” (TV Mini Series)
Director/Showrunner: Lenny Henry
Cast: Rochelle Neil
Studio: ITV
“SOMETHING IN THE WATER” (Feature)
Director: Hayley Street
Cast: Lauren Lyle
Studio: STUDIO CANAL
“ROAD HOUSE” (Feature)
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor.
Studio: MGM
“THE RESORT” (TV Series)
Director/Showrunner: Andy Siara
Cast: Skyler Gisondo
Studio: NBC UNIVERSAL
“THE BEST MAN” (TV Series)
Director/Showrunner: Malcolm D. Lee
Cast: Taye Diggs, Terence Howard
Studio: NBC UNIVERSAL
“SAINT X” (TV Series)
Director: Dee Rees
Cast: Alycia Debnam-Carey
Studio: DISNEY/HULU
“NYAD” (Feature)
Director: Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chi
Cast: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster
Studio: NETFLIX
“ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK” (TV Series)
Director: JT Billings
Cast: Ryan Beil
Studio: NICKELODEON
“THE LOST CITY” (Feature)
Director: Aaron and Adam Nee
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt
Studio: PARAMOUNT
“THE KILLER” (Feature)
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Michael Fassbender
Studio: NETFLIX
“SURINAME” (TV Series)
Director: Jong-bin Yoon
Cast: Ha Jung-woo
Studio: NETFLIX
“BOUNDLESS” (TV Mini Series)
Director: Simon West
Cast: Rodrigo Santoro
Studio: AMAZON
“OLD” (Feature)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Gael García Bernal
Studio: UNIVERSAL
“ARTHUR THE KING” (Feature)
Director: Simon Cellan Jones
Cast: Mark Wahlberg
Studio: EOne
“SHOTGUN WEDDING” (Feature)
Director: Jason Moore
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel
Studio: LIONSGATE
Read More
- Best Crosshair Codes for Fragpunk
- Monster Hunter Wilds Character Design Codes – Ultimate Collection
- Enigma Of Sepia Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Hollow Era Private Server Codes [RELEASE]
- Wuthering Waves: How to Unlock the Reyes Ruins
- FARTCOIN PREDICTION. FARTCOIN cryptocurrency
- Ultimate Tales of Wind Radiant Rebirth Tier List
- Best Crossbow Build in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
- Best Jotunnslayer Hordes of Hel Character Builds
- Skull and Bones Timed Out: Players Frustrated by PSN Issues
2025-03-19 15:48