Ex Pimienta Films Executive Producer Paulina Valencia Boards Nicolasa Ruiz’s Debut Feature ‘The Weird’ (‘Lo Raro’) (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of excitement and anticipation upon learning about these groundbreaking projects that are taking shape in Latin America. The stories of these films resonate deeply with my own experiences growing up as a shy, tech-savvy nerd in a small town far removed from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

Previously at Pimienta Films, executive producer Paulina Valencia has joined forces on the coming-of-age drama “The Weird” (or “Lo Raro”), marking the first full-length film by director Nicolasa Ruiz. Ruiz’s latest short, “Extinction of the Species,” which she co-directed with Matt Porterfield, was showcased in Cannes’ Critics Week the previous year.

Valencia links up with Matías de Bourguignon from Cordyceps Content, a joint producer of the film “Boliviana,” helmed by Chile’s Vinko Tomicic and distributed by Luxbox. This production is vying for recognition in Sanfic’s international section, held in Santiago. The story unfolds in La Paz, Bolivia, where it features Alfredo Castro (“El Conde”) as a solitary tailor, Mr. Novoa, whose beloved dog gets swiped by a 15-year-old shoe polisher who believes Mr. Novoa to be his dad.

Storyline of Mexicali-set “The Unusual” revolves around Consuelo, an introverted tech enthusiast teenager, who has crafted Alita, an intelligent robot companion named so. Her affection for science and robotics is rivaled only by her budding feelings towards Ángel, the latest addition to their school, who is both a popular video game streamer and a fellow student.

Ruiz stated: “Mexicali is the place where I spent my childhood and developed my initial thoughts on cinema. The city’s extraordinary landscape, intense temperatures, and proximity to the United States significantly impacted me, particularly through science fiction and horror films. This narrative holds significance because it delves into the fragility of being a tech-savvy, socially reserved teenager in a city with limited resources. The internet has become an essential means of communication, a realm teeming with both possibilities and apprehension. I aim to portray the sensation of being observed and the stress of maneuvering social networks, a feeling that continues to resonate with me.”

Working alongside Ruiz, Valencia finds it awe-inspiring to see someone who pours all her passion and dedication into her work. She further notes that Ruiz’s past works have been highly acclaimed due to the authenticity and emotional depth in her autobiographical storytelling, which ignites profound discussions.

“Valencia, who collaborated with Nicolas Celis from Pimienta Films on projects like ‘Roma’ and ‘Emilia Perez,’ stated that ‘The Weird’ will certainly capture the transformation and journey that Nicolasa has experienced, taking the project to its current stage based on her diverse experiences across different platforms and residencies. As the co-founder of Kintsugi Cine and director of MFC Madrefoca Cine, Valencia is recognized for producing the critically acclaimed film ‘Navajazo’ (2014), which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival.”

Currently penned by Ruiz, the project’s development path has led it to the Meet Mart Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund, Catapulta FICUNAM, Berlinale Talents Guadalajara Edition/Guion FICG, Cine Qua Non Lab and The Write Retreat Mallorca, as well as several other notable stops along the way.

As a passionate admirer, I’d rephrase it this way: “I find Nico and Paulina to be the epitome of the fresh wave in Latin American cinema. Their distinct narratives and viewpoints, seldom seen on screen, provide a much-needed representation. They’ve given me an opportunity to creatively contribute to a project that appreciates my outsider perspective. This project, set in rural northern Mexico, not only reflects local life but also raises questions and delivers messages that resonate deeply with Latin American realities as a whole.”

As a curious explorer, I was driven to discover ways I could make a meaningful impact on the conversations that mold our societal identity. In my journey, I stumbled upon Nicolasa, a fellow seeker who echoed my deep-rooted inquiries about life’s purpose and direction. Amidst the ongoing struggle between humanity and technology, or perhaps it’s a harmonious blend of both, we find ourselves at a crossroads. How do we advance as a society hand-in-hand with artificial intelligence? Enter Nicolasa, equipped with the technical prowess and mental fortitude to tackle these complex questions head-on, offering a unique and decentralized viewpoint that breathes fresh life into our collective discourse.

As a film enthusiast who has attended various international film festivals throughout my career, I must say that Vinko Tomicic’s “El Ladrón de Perros” is one of the most captivating films I’ve come across in recent years. Having premiered at Tribeca this year and gracing the festival circuits of Guadalajara, Costa Rica, Munich, and Lima, it was a true delight to witness its journey on the big screen.

According to Bourguignon, Cordyceps has three upcoming projects in the works that they shared with EbMaster. These include two series: one focusing on the current urban music culture in Chile and another chronicling the construction of the Carretera Austral (in Patagonia) during the dictatorship. Bourguignon mentioned that these projects offer intriguing social snapshots from distinct time periods. Additionally, Tomicic is working on a short film to serve as a proof of concept for their next feature film, which will be shot in Northern Chile and marks a fresh collaboration between Tomicic and renowned cinematographer Sergio Armstrong, who has worked on movies like “No,” “La Jauria” and “Neruda.”

2024-08-21 19:18

Ex Pimienta Films Executive Producer Paulina Valencia Boards Nicolasa Ruiz’s Debut Feature ‘The Weird’ (‘Lo Raro’) (EXCLUSIVE)

Read More

Minority Mindset