Germany’s Weltfilm Boards Martín Boulocq’s ‘Criminal Body,’ a Work in Progress at Sanfic Industria (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for unconventional narratives and a soft spot for films that delve into societal issues, I find myself thoroughly intrigued by “Criminal Body.” The project’s unique blend of horror, documentary, and fiction, set against the backdrop of Bolivia’s sub-Andean forest, promises an engaging and thought-provoking cinematic experience.


As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that my journey with the captivating film project, “Criminal Body,” by the talented Bolivian director, Martín Boulocq, has taken a significant step forward. Germany’s esteemed Weltfilm has officially joined our team! This announcement was made at the industry section of the Santiago International Film Festival, curated by none other than its co-founder, Gabriela Sandoval. The progress of this work-in-progress (WIP) brings us one step closer to sharing this compelling story with the world.

Established in 2003 by Kristina Konrad and Christian Frosch, Weltfilm is a company that collaborates on productions across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Their goal is to create films of various genres, such as documentaries and art-house pieces, which have the potential to appeal internationally.

As a seasoned film producer with years of experience under my belt, I am always on the lookout for exciting collaborative opportunities that bring together talented individuals and resources from different corners of the world. In this case, I am thrilled to be part of a project that unites Boulocq’s CQ Films, Maravillacine from Argentina, and L’Œil Vif from France. This collaboration is not just about creating a film; it represents a unique blend of cultures, perspectives, and artistic visions.

In the movie-within-a-movie penned by Boulocq, locals Miguel and Marcos participate in making an American horror flick that’s set in a sub-Andean woodland. Miguel, a weightlifter, assumes the part of the monster, while Marcos, a farmer from the area, lends his bulls for the filming process. The two men find themselves navigating a peculiar and alien landscape together.

Producer Andrea Camponovo, co-founder of CQ Films with Bouloucq, noted that this project, like all of Martin’s films, delves deeply into political and social matters. What makes it stand out is its intricate and original narrative. It sheds new light on neocolonialism by examining the role of cinema and its underrepresented characters from a novel perspective.

She noted that the production also boasts an advanced formal style, exploring and transcending genre lines (such as horror, documentary, and fiction). Its attention to detail in each frame is evident through meticulous staging and composition, she explained. In this movie, Camponovo portrays a producer, working alongside actors Miguel Michel and Marco Mercado.

The project titled “Criminal Body” has been highlighted as a featured production at the Marché du Film’s Cannes Docs, and it has secured financial support from the IDFA Bertha Fund.

The journey for Sanfic’s WIP program started at last year’s International Documentary Film Festival of Buenos Aires’ WIP section, where it was selected to participate in Málaga WIP 2024. At the latter event, it secured a spot in Sanfic’s WIP program.

“Camponovo shared that he highly appreciates collaborative film projects between nations. These partnerships offer significant benefits beyond just financial aspects. Primarily, they foster creative collaboration among the involved parties, leading to a dynamic exchange of ideas and skills. This interchange enriches the production’s quality and depth. By combining each partner’s strengths and unique viewpoints, we can produce outstanding films that resonate with various viewers,” Camponovo explained to EbMaster.

At age 25, Boulocq, who had graduated from Jorge Sanjinés’ Andean School of Cinematography, made a splash on the global film scene with his critically acclaimed first feature, “The Most Beautiful of My Very Best Years,” released in 2005. This movie was screened at notable festivals like Locarno and San Sebastian. The production was supported by indie studios Pretty Dangerous Films (later known as KNR Prods.) from Los Angeles and Arrival Cinema, which joined during the post-production phase. Rodrigo Bellott, known for “Sexual Dependency” and “White Llama,” acted as an executive producer.

In this year (2022), his newest movie, titled “The Visitor,” first appeared at the Tribeca Film Festival and won the accolade for the best screenplay.

The 20th Sanfic runs Aug. 18-25.

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2024-08-09 21:50