Chile’s Rizoma, Actors Ernesto Alterio and Soledad Villamil Board Iberseries Forum-Bound ‘A Distant Place’ by Alberto Lecchi (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film enthusiast with a keen interest in Latin American cinema, I am thrilled to witness the collaboration between Chilean Sebastián Freund of Rizoma Films and Argentine heavyweights Ernesto Alterio and Soledad Villamil on “A Distant Place.” This movie seems to be a compelling exploration of love, memory, and human resilience, tackling a lesser-explored mental illness – frontotemporal dementia.


Chile’s Sebastian Freund from Rizoma Films and Argentine actors Ernesto Alterio (“The Passenger”) and Soledad Villamil (“The Secret in Their Eyes”) have joined the cast of upcoming film “A Distant Place” (“Un lugar lejano”), directed by Argentine filmmaker Alberto Lecchi.

Rizoma Films, known for productions like “Papa al rescate” and “The Same Blood,” teams up with primary producer Twins Latin Films of Argentina, along with Spanish co-producers Filmakers Monkeys, on a drama project. This collaborative piece is set to be showcased at the Iberseries & Platino Industria Co-Production Forum in Madrid.

Composed by Gerardo Pranteda, this narrative centers on two characters: a pianist and a history instructor, who are both seeking a renewed opportunity at romance while dealing with the harsh realities of an impending illness that threatens to disrupt the musician’s mental state.

“Lorena Quevedo, CEO and producer at Twins Latin Films, shared her enthusiasm about creating a movie that illustrates the power of love, memory, and connections to provide solace and optimism in tough times. This film will also tackle frontotemporal dementia, an often overlooked topic in cinema, offering a compassionate and nuanced portrayal.”

Located in Cordoba, Argentina, the latest creations from Twins Latin Films include “Almamula,” previously showcased at the Berlinale last year, and Rodrigo Guerrero’s “Wild Ones.” Both can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

In the upcoming Amazon Prime Video release “Salvajes,” set for September 24, Rizoma served as co-producer. Speaking about the experience, Freund expressed, “It was immensely rewarding.” When Lorena extended an invitation to join “A Distant Place,” he felt it wasn’t just the captivating storyline – a love tale intertwined with intricate human relationships, portrayal of a seldom-discussed mental health issue, and the significance of second chances – that drew him in, but also the remarkable talent assembled for the project. This includes the young Chilean actor, Clemente Rodríguez, known as “El Conde,” the renowned Chilean cinematographer Sergio Armstrong who worked on “Neruda,” and editor Andrea Chignoli, who has worked on films like “No.” Spanish co-producer Néstor López of Filmakers Monkeys was also part of the team. Freund believes this collaboration will lead to an exceptional international production with the ability to transcend borders and potentially premiere at a top-tier film festival.

Established in 2009 by Quevedo and Pablo Di Patrizio, Twins Latin Films has partnered with countries like France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Chile through its co-production approach, resulting in collaborative projects to this day.

The Iberseries Co-Production Forum serves as the next step in the project’s progress, coming after its award at the recent Co-Production Meeting held at the Guadalajara Film Festival. Quevedo mentioned, “We are considering the opportunity of involving a Mexican producer and we remain open to collaborations from other regions.”

As a film enthusiast, I see this as a chance to craft a masterpiece that resonates with global feelings, fostering a harmonious collaboration between Ibero-American nations. This partnership would be rooted in our unique cultures, catering specifically to the tastes and preferences of our diverse audiences.

The main filming for “A Distant Place” is scheduled for June 2025 in Madrid, Córdoba, and Mendoza in Argentina, as well as Santiago, Chile. In other words, the primary shooting of this movie will take place across these cities in Argentina and Chile during that time.

Iberseries & Platino Industria takes place Oct. 1- 4 in Madrid.

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2024-09-06 12:47