Pacifica Grey Snaps Up ‘Beloved Tropic’ Starring Berlinale Silver Bear Winner Paulina Garcia (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile with roots deeply entrenched in Latin American cinema, I am thrilled to witness the emergence of Panamanian talent Ana Endara and her debut feature “Beloved Tropic.” Having followed Endara’s career for quite some time, it’s a pleasure to see her breakthrough onto the global stage. Her ability to craft poignant narratives that resonate with local and international audiences is truly commendable.

In simple terms, the Miami-based production company FiGa Films has pre-sold Ana Endara’s first fictional feature film titled “Beloved Tropic” (originally known as “Querido Tropico”) to Pacifica Grey, a production company based in Costa Rica, before its official premiere at Ventana Sur market.

Starring Paulina Garcia from Chile, who won a Silver Bear for Best Actress at Berlinale for her role in “Gloria” directed by Sebastian Lelio, the drama has already been acquired by Spain’s Vitrine before its premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in September.

As a devoted admirer, it’s a privilege for me to be working alongside Ana Endara, someone I’ve long respected in the industry. Her skills and vision are truly exceptional, and she possesses an uncanny directorial precision that sets her apart. I have no doubt that she will continue to thrive; we’re fortunate indeed to welcome her into our team at FiGa.

For Marcelo Quesada, founder of Pacifica Grey, whose firm holds the rights for the drama across Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, and the Dominican Republic, “Beloved Tropic” serves as a platform that “amplifies the growing influence of Central American storytelling.

He emphasized the importance of these tales being viewed by our local community, right here in our area,” he said.

In the play, Garcia portrays a wealthy woman suffering from advancing dementia. This role is tenderly looked after by an expectant immigrant actress, Jenny Navarrete, who also grapples with personal struggles of her own, as seen in “The Other Son.

The story unfolds in Panama City, focusing on the heartfelt relationship between two solitary women. As their paths cross, they encounter the intricacies of caregiving difficulties and the intricate dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, ultimately forming a profound bond that significantly impacts them both.

The film titled “Cherished Tropico” embarked on its festival expedition after claiming the Arthouse Cinema Award at the Cinélatino Toulouse’s pix-in-post section, Cinéma en Construction. It was the first Panamanian production to achieve such an accolade.

Subsequently, it debuted as a centerpiece film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), proceeding to take part in Horizontes Latinos at San Sebastián, compete officially at the Rome Festival, and showcase in the Opera Prima section of the Havana Festival.

Among the rising female directors in Panama, Endara is one of them, alongside Ana Elena Tejera (“Panquiaco”) and Arianne Benedetti whose second film, “Despíerta Mamá,” is Panama’s contender for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.

Among the highly acclaimed full-length documentaries that Endara has directed are “Queens” titled “Reinas” and a joint production with Pilar Moreno called “For Your Peace of Mind, Create Your Own Museum,” also known as “Haz Tu Museo Por Tu Paz de Corazón.

As a film enthusiast dabbling in the world of arthouse cinema, I’m proud to say that my collection mirrors some of the most captivating modern masterpieces from around Central America. Gems like “Another Round,” “Aftersun,” and “Faces Places” are just a few examples that grace my catalog. But it doesn’t stop there; I also represent critically acclaimed films produced within Central America, such as the chilling “La Llorona,” the enigmatic “Clara Sola,” the fiery “Ixcanul,” and the poignant “Memories of a Burning Body.” The latter is even Costa Rica’s contender for next year’s prestigious Oscars.

Ventana Sur takes place in Montevideo, Uruguay over Dec. 2 – 6.

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2024-12-03 15:49