Mexican Producer Laura Imperiale to Co-Produce Caribbean Drama ‘Black Sheep, White Sheep’

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Film producer Laura Imperiale from Cacerola Films, who is known for movies like “The Crime of Father Amaro,” which was Oscar-nominated and featured Gael Garcia Bernal, as well as the dark comedy “Nicotina,” has signed on to work with Flavio Florencio, a documentary filmmaker making his fiction feature debut, on the project titled “Black Sheep, White Sheep.

The story revolves around a romantic encounter between a traveler from the northern hemisphere and a young resident of the Caribbean islands during a brief stopover of merely 12 hours. During this short time span, they explore their feelings, expose their weaknesses, and confront the silent impact of privilege.

During a transient 12-hour layover, a romance unfolds between a white traveler and a local Caribbean resident, as they grapple with their emotions, reveal their insecurities, and acknowledge the hidden influence of privilege.

Or even more simply:

A love story unfurls during a short layover between a tourist and a Caribbean man, where they explore feelings, expose vulnerabilities, and confront the effects of privilege.

The movie unfolds amidst a picturesque yet troubled Caribbean backdrop, delving into topics such as racial prejudice, racially charged attraction, immigration, and tourism serving as modern-day colonialism. It also scrutinizes the delicate quest for human connection in a world where people are heavily influenced by stark social inequalities.

Or:

The film takes place within a beautiful yet complex Caribbean setting, addressing issues like racial discrimination, racially tinged passion, immigration, and tourism as a contemporary form of colonization. It also investigates the challenging endeavor to forge connections among individuals living in unequal societies.

In a heartfelt exchange of dialogue and clever social observations, the film “Black Sheep, White Sheep” delves into topics such as intimacy, inequality, and the potential for bonding and change across just one day. It provides a thought-provoking, gay Caribbean interpretation of Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunrise,” offering an insightful social commentary.

Born in Argentina and long-resident of Mexico, Florencio is widely recognized for his acclaimed documentary “Made in Bangkok”. This film follows the heartrending and transformative voyage of Mexican transgender opera singer-actress Morgana Love as she ventures to Thailand to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

Following our initial project together on ‘Made in Bangkok,’ I felt compelled to continue collaborating with Flavio. His unique viewpoint, which is both thought-provoking and unsettling, is crucial in today’s context. The narrative he presents challenges privilege and sheds light on issues seldom discussed in Latin American cinema,” stated Imperiale.

She teams up with Dominican producer-writer Ulla Prida, of Wooden Boat Prods., whose “Under the Same Sun” (“Bajo el mismo sol”), a co-written and co-produced project alongside director Ulises Porra, is showcased at Cannes’ Marché du Film. Previously, Prida gained international recognition with the highly praised “Carajita” (2021), which she also co-wrote and produced with Porra. In 2021, Porra received the New Directors Award, shared with co-director Silvina Schnicer, at the San Sebastian Film Festival, among other accolades.

Following ‘Carajita’ and ‘Under the Same Sun,’ I felt a strong desire to delve into a queer storyline within my home country, as this topic continues to struggle for visibility. I knew from the start that it wouldn’t be an easy task, but I am convinced that we are the ones who should spearhead these changes,” expressed Prida.

Creating a movie requires many years, so the idea or theme we decide to support should be strong and meaningful – one that really makes an impact and steers the discussion towards the correct path,” she noted.

For the very first time, these two producers are joining forces, leveraging incentives from each of their home countries.

Florencio shared that the concept for this movie originated from a profoundly troubling question: what parts of my romantic longing are influenced by historical events, race, and privilege? He wanted to create a love story, but felt it couldn’t be told from a naive standpoint. Given his background in documentaries, he listened to the local community’s opinions and tried to grasp their viewpoints – as sexuality and desire often have political implications and are seldom untouched by ideology. This project started four years ago when Florencio was invited to serve on the jury at Santo Domingo Global Film Festival. Since then, he’s made multiple research trips, working directly with ‘motoconcho’ drivers, delving into a complex issue because tourism isn’t always cultural exchange; sometimes, it’s a subtle form of emotional colonization,” said Florencio.

Prida collaborates with Ley González from Media Jíbara in the Dominican Republic, while on the Mexican side, Imperiale’s production partners are Florencio and Ignacio Vázquez from Me Río de Janeiro Cine.

In the Dominican Republic, Prida works alongside Ley González of Media Jíbara. On the Mexican side, Imperiale teams up with co-producers Florencio and Ignacio Vázquez from Me Río de Janeiro Cine.

Casting is underway in New York and the Dominican Republic.

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2025-05-19 21:47