‘Rio,’ ‘Ice Age’ Director Carlos Saldanha Boards Oscar-Qualified Colombian Short ‘La Perra’ as Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE)

As a fervent admirer of the world of animation, I find myself utterly captivated by the extraordinary talent and passion that Carlos Saldanha exudes. His decades-long journey in crafting some of the most iconic animated blockbusters has not only solidified his place in the industry but also honed his keen eye for spotting and nurturing fresh, vibrant voices.

Carlos Saldanha, a Brazilian screenwriter, director, and animator, is now associated with Carla Melo Gampert’s Colombian animated short “La Perra” as it navigates its award-season journey ahead.

The film “La Perra” draws heavily on Melo’s personal experiences and narrates the tale of a young woman departing from her family home in Bogota, escaping a domineering mother and a cherished childhood pet, as she ventures into the broader world. In this world, Latina women are frequently pressured to transform from adorable young girls into traditional mothers, or they are labeled as “perras” (dogs in Spanish) if they fail to conform to these expectations, which is the basis for the film’s title.

Produced by renowned indie producers Franco Lolli and Capucine Mahé at Evidencia Films in Bogota and June Films in Paris, “La Perra” made a significant impact on this year’s festival circuit, participating in Cannes, Annecy, Toronto, SXSW, Tallinn Black Nights, Clermont-Ferrand, and garnering awards at Dresden, San Francisco, Zagreb, and Melbourne, among others. The film was also recognized with the Colombian Academy Macondo Award for best animated short.

As a devoted cinephile looking back on my extensive career, I’ve had the privilege of contributing as a writer, director, and producer on some of the biggest U.S. animated blockbusters for over several decades. I’ve been at the helm or shared directing duties for two installments of the beloved “Ice Age” series, the Academy Award-winning film “Rio,” “Robots,” “Ferdinand,” and more recently, “Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Saldanha praises the fresh energy and brilliance of Melo’s short animation and the broader Latin American animation scene. He notes that our continent is full of unique, untold stories, and ‘La Perra’ captures this essence beautifully. Carla Melo has created a visually compelling story with an intense, yet sensitive erotic undertone. It’s a blend of rawness and refinement, a perfect balance of harshness and tenderness. It’s been a while since a short film had such a profound impact on me, and ‘La Perra’ does so in a way that will stay with me for a long time.

Alongside Saldanha on the “La Perra” executive producer team are Brazilian colleagues Claudia Chakmati and Gabriela Matarazzo, who run the independent production company Rhiza Films. Lately, they have produced André D’Elia’s feature documentary titled “Ashes of the Forest.

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2024-12-10 14:16