As someone who has spent years immersed in the dynamic world of international cinema, I find myself constantly inspired and captivated by the vibrant energy that emanates from events like Ventana Sur. The sheer volume of talent on display at this year’s edition is nothing short of breathtaking, with a diverse array of stories, voices, and visions coming together in a beautiful symphony of creativity.
Montevideo, Uruguay – “Ventana Sur proved to be a terrific gathering spot, with a strong showing of sales agents who were genuinely interested in companies that make purchases,” commented Antonio Saura from the Madrid-based sales agency, Latido Films. “The event’s organization was flawless, managed by diligent and friendly professionals.
Most other attendees would buy into that.
For the first time since its debut in 2009, Ventana Sur was moved from its usual Buenos Aires location to the bustling city of Montevideo, Uruguay this week. The event, filled with optimism, showcased a number of promising films that could potentially make it onto prestigious film festival lists, as well as some of Latin America’s key industry players and the latest developments in a rapidly changing regional market.
Here are the key insights derived from the Ventana Sur event, which is one of the most significant film-TV markets in Latin America, jointly organized by the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film, Uruguay’s ACAU agency, and Argentina’s INCAA.
Ventana Sur Hits: “Vainilla”
Vanilla,” a project that garnered quite a following with some truly dedicated supporters, left many impressed. Antoine Zeind, distributor at Quebec’s A-Z Films, expressed his admiration, stating, “It’s the most promising work in progress I’ve ever come across.” The production was backed by Redrum, co-executive producer on “Narcos: Mexico” and producer for Rodrigo Prieto’s “Pedro Paramo,” a captivating portrayal of a family of seven women defying societal norms and fighting eviction in late ’80s Mexico. On Friday, it dominated the Primer Corte awards, taking home five prizes, including the prestigious Cine+ Award from Canal+, which is crucial for distribution in France.
Ventana Sur Hits: “The Condor Daughter”
David Puttnam recently stated at the Seville Festival that the films he finds captivating are those that resonate with audiences and carry thought-provoking themes and societal significance. The film “The Condor’s Daughter,” from Bolivian creative force Alvaro Olmos, who plays a significant role in Andean cinema, appears to embody all three aspects in its personal narrative of a Quechua mother and daughter amidst the broader context of historical mass migration from the high Andes to urban areas. This film poses complex questions about identity during tumultuous periods, and it seems to have attracted several sales agents due to its compelling storytelling at the Copia Final event.
A key takeaway from Fede Alvarez’s Ventana Sur masterclass wasn’t just his words, but the way he delivered them. Reflecting on his childhood when he made superhero films for a dime, he often found himself laughing. Similarly, showing pictures from his first trip to Hollywood and the Chinese Theater had his audience joining in the laughter. He humorously tried to explain how an Uruguayan ended up writing and directing “Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe,” and “Alien: Romulus,” suggesting that he simply enjoyed the filmmaking process. It seems that without passion and a sense of fun, many creators struggle to reach their full potential.
Uruguay
Recently, Uruguay has been drawing attention due to its own cinema productions and the opportunities for filming there. Ventana Sur took things a step further, allowing international audiences to explore Uruguay’s landscapes, architecture, and human resources firsthand in other industries, as stated by producer Agustina Chiarino (“The Heiresses,” “Monos,” “Don’t You Let Me Go”). With numerous major film productions already taking place in Uruguay – one reason The Mediapro Studio acquired Cimarrón in 2022 – the country has been showcasing its filmmaking capabilities. However, organizing Latin America’s largest high-level film market in conjunction with the Marché du Film, the world’s biggest film market, is an exceptional way to demonstrate Uruguay’s large-scale film production capacity. The successful execution of this event without any major problems is a significant accomplishment for Uruguay.
Co-Production: Latin America’s Main Way Forward
At Ventana Sur, sales agents primarily view it as a market for acquisitions, as noted by Laurent Daniélou of Paris-based Loco Films. For attending producers, however, the event has evolved into a significant co-production platform. As Latin America and Spain strive to boost larger or more talent-driven projects that stand out in the crowd, Ventana Sur serves as a hub for these collaborations. In fact, Brazil, which has found co-production crucial, is offering a minority co-production fund once again to foster initial alliances with international partners. The productions presented at Ventana Sur continue to grow in complexity. For instance, an animated feature titled “Small Town,” showcased at the event, had two directors – masters of stop motion animation Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral – along with five producers from Brazil, Uruguay, and Spain.
Breakout Female Director Debuts
Women directors are still a long way from parity in Latin America. The safety trickle of arresting debuts from female creators continues, however. Based in part on her own experience, “Vainilla,” for instance, marks the first feature from Mexican actor-turned-writer-director Maya Hermosillo. At Ventana Sur’s new Latam Series Market, the Netflix Award for Latin American Women Directors, a $5,000 cash prize, went to one of the section’s highlights, “Call Gloria!” (“Llamá Gloria!”), from Argentina’s Malenus Filmus, for a series expansion of her 19-minute short turning on an ebullient suicide helpline responder and a suicidal actress. Two Proyecta awards went to “Grass,” by Argentine writer-turned-director Ivana Galdeano, another to “I Thought I Was Swimming,” the feature debut of Uruguay’s Catalina Torres, a subtler portrait of LGBTQ passion in older age.
More Buzz Titles
As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been following some remarkable films and directors lately. One such rising star is Damiana Acuña Terminel, backed by Enfant & Poulet, who’s making waves in Mexico’s auteur genre scene. Her film “Lux Noctis,” a compelling first feature, recently won prizes at the Blood Window Lab. This isn’t her only success; she’s also behind the critically acclaimed “Huesera” and the highly anticipated “No Me Sigas.
The Deals
A score or more of deals Announced by EbMaster in the Run-Up and Duration of Ventana Sur:
Actress Adriana Paz, who plays the lead in “Emilia Pérez,” will be the main star in ‘The Huntress.’ This project hails from Suzanne Andrews Correa, a winner at Sundance, as well as Mexico’s Záfiro Cinema and U.S.-based The Population.
*”Macarena Garcia, who played the leading role in ‘Blancanieves,’ will spearhead an illustrious Spanish cast for the Ventana Sur Proyecta title “Perseidas.” This distinguished ensemble includes Elena Irureta, who starred as the lead in ‘Patria,’ Itziar Aizpuru from ‘Flowers,’ and Ana Polvorosa, the headliner of ‘The Last Night at Tremore Beach.’
*At the Ventana Sur event, São Paulo and Montevideo unveiled a trailblazing multi-faceted agreement involving aspects such as editing and distribution. This partnership will primarily be facilitated through Spcine and Montevideo Audiovisual.
Disney+ Latin America secures Chilean boxing film “Dancing in the Ring,” planning for a theatrical debut.
Chilean filmmaker Hugo Covarrubias, who was Oscar-nominated for “Bestia,” is now preparing to direct his first feature film titled “Baptism.” He will be working alongside co-writer Alejandra Moffat, known for the movie “Chile ’76,” and Lucas Engel, a producer who has worked on films like “Los Huesos,” “My Tender Matador,” and “Dry Martina.
At the bustling scene of Veatana Sur, Latido has joined forces with Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral on their project titled “Small Town.” This move underscores growing collaboration in film production between Latin America and Spain.
In important regions, it has successfully marketed popular works such as “They Will Be Dust,” “The Whale,” “Night Silence,” “Raqqa: Spy vs. Spy,” and “Artificial Justice.
*In the first of a series of announcements, Paul Hudson’s active Outsider Pictures has snagged North American rights to three International Oscar entries: Costa Rica’s “Memories of a Burning Body,” Spain’s “Saturn Return” and Switzerland’s “Queens.”
The recently established Argentine Frondosa Foundation has partnered with Brazil’s Projeto Paradiso to create a mentorship program for aspiring female screenwriters.
1) Actors from Chile, namely Alfredo Castro, Paulina Garcia, and Luis Gnecco, have been added to the voice cast for the animated film “Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope.” The international streaming rights for this production have been acquired by Sebastian Freund’s Rizco Content Sales.
Aria Covamonas’ lively, first-time animated film titled ‘The Great History of Western Philosophy’ has been purchased by Miyu Distribution.
France’s production house, Chakalaka Films, has teamed up with the Colombian period drama “In All My Journeys I Am Returning,” which was chosen for Ventana Sur’s First Cut.
Loco Films owned by Laurent Daniélou has secured worldwide distribution rights for “Seeds of the Desert,” a film that can be seen as Colombia’s equivalent to “Mad Max.
*Latido acquired Eva Libertad’s “Sorda,” adapted from the director’s 2023 Goya-nominated short.
Spain’s Batiak Films and Elora Post House have joined forces for the production of the immigration horror feature titled ‘Tenants,’ which is being developed in Ventana Sur’s Proyecta.
*Dori Media’s hit drama “In Treatment” is returning to Brazil’s Globoplay for a sixth season.
France’s film production company, Srab Films, is gearing up to create a Colombian family drama titled “Name and Surname.” This project is included in the lineup of Ventana Sur’s Proyecta program.
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve scored the rights for screenings in the US for two gripping Scandinavian dramas – “Stormskerry Maja” and “The Missile”. We’re planning a spring release at our local theaters. Can’t wait to immerse myself, and hopefully you too, in these captivating stories!
Pacifica Grey acquires the rights to “Beloved Tropic,” a film featuring Paulina Garcia, who won the Berlinale Silver Bear award.
TLA Releasing, a prominent distributor of LGBTQ+ content, has acquired the distribution rights for the Mexican gay romance film “Dying Briefly,” directed by Juan Briseño, in both the United Kingdom and North America.
The Argentine horror movie titled “The Witch Game,” which was translated into English using artificial intelligence, has been bought by Miracle Media for distribution in North America and the United Kingdom.
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2024-12-08 00:17