As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for independent cinema and a soft spot for stories that resonate deeply, I find myself captivated by the recent acquisitions of Outsider Pictures. The diverse array of films hailing from Latin America and Spain is a testament to the vibrant and thought-provoking cinema being produced in these regions.


Outsider Pictures, a distributor based in Los Angeles specializing in Spanish-language films across the U.S., has secured the rights for North America to three movies nominated for the International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards: “Memories of a Burning Body” from Costa Rica, “Saturn Return” from Spain, and “Reinas,” directed by Peruvian-born filmmaker Klaudia Reynicke, hailing from Switzerland.

Furthermore, it has also won the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed,” directed by Argentina’s Hernán Rosselli, as well as the Toronto Platform award for “They Will Be Dust,” which features Chile’s Alfredo Castro and Spain’s Angela Molina.

Paul Hudson, the CEO of Outsider Pictures, stated that their latest acquisitions showcase the thrilling and complex cinema emerging from Latin America and Spain. These films might not have big stars or massive commercial success, but like many independent productions, they are deeply personal projects that filmmakers have poured their hearts into, and any distributor would be proud to share them with audiences.

The documentary drama titled “Memories of a Burning Body” marks the second time that Costa Rican filmmaker and screenwriter Antonella Sudasassi has represented her nation at the Oscars. This follows her critically-acclaimed first feature film, “The Awakening of the Ants.

In “Memories…”, the unidentified voices of three women above the age of sixty share their turbulent histories as scenes unfold depicting the experiences they recount, each more distressing than the last, detailing their journey through womanhood during a repressive period in history.

‘Memories of a Burning Body’ represents the discussions I never got to have with my grandmothers, serving as an expression for women who bravely discuss their most private matters, often taboo in our Latin American, Catholic, and conservative culture. Raised in such a society, much was forbidden. Due to lack of accurate information, they had to discover the truths about their bodies and the continuous transformations on their own,’ said Sudasassi.

These female characters bravely express themselves, even if they don’t reveal their physical selves. Their voices are loud and clear to me. Hearing their tales helps me grasp my role in the world, and it illuminates our journey and reason for being.

She mused that this movie was a tribute to the countless women in the universe who brought us into being, nurtured us, and encouraged our curiosity, leading to the changes we see today. It’s thrilling, she continued, that such an introspective and personal film from Costa Rica can strike a chord with global audiences. To her, there’s no greater honor than the validation of the public.

The film titled “Reinas,” a collaboration among Switzerland, Peru, and Spain, debuted first at Sundance, explores the topic of immigration and its impact on familial bonds.

In recent selections, two musical dramas stand out: “Saturn Return,” directed by Isaki Lacuesta, which delves into the creation of the third album by popular Spanish band Los Planetas; and “They Will Be Dust,” another offering from Spain’s Latido Films. In this latter film, director Carlos Marqués-Marcet (“10,000KM”) fearlessly uses music and dance to confront the complex issue of right-to-die.

In ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed,’ we peek into the profitable realm of the ‘quiniela’ or lottery, as it’s known in Buenos Aires. Here, the Felpeto family secretly conduct their own lottery within a small residential complex. Maribel takes care of recording bets, while Alejandra oversees operations from a distance. Lately, there have been raids and whispers about corrupt officials and cash transactions that have caused unrest in the neighborhood.

Hudson pointed out that an external company has purchased 15 movies this year, but not all of them will be released in cinemas. The task after COVID-19 is locating more exhibition venues willing to screen these films and finding effective marketing strategies and resources to attract viewers, which is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller distributors.

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2024-11-21 20:47