Ed Meza @edmezavar Juan Diego Botto’s feature film debut is a heart-breaking social drama and scathing critique of the neoliberal structures that have resulted in a catastrophic eviction crisis in Spain, where more than 400,000 people have been forced out of their homes over the past decade. “On the Fringe” screens in the Zurich Film Festival’s country focus sidebar, New World View, which this year showcases works from new Spanish filmmakers. The impressive achievement, which premiered in Venice, grew out of a conversation Botto had with friend Penélope Cruz after she saw a play he had written and was starring in. She suggested he write a script for a project they could do together, perhaps a relationship drama, something to do with jealousy, the Argentine-Spanish multi-hyphenate recalls.
Dystopian Toon ‘Desechable’ Hits Toronto Spain-Canada Co-Production Forum
09.09.2022 - 23:19 / variety.com
Toronto Film Festival’s Spain-Canada co-production forum Do It the Spanish Way, dystopian animated feature “Desechable” (“Disposable”) is a blistering indictment of social injustice in Colombia. Spanish producer Miguel Molina of Jaibo Films, whose credits include Locarno 2021 standout “Sacred Spirit,” is presenting what is billed as one of the more ambitious and prized animation features from the Spanish-speaking world which has just passed through Spains ECAM Incubator. The superhero saga seems to have anticipated, when written, the maelstrom of social protests which rocked Colombia last year.
The co-production between Jaibo Films and Colombian art & animation studio Nocroma follows a biochemist who is nabbed by a Colombian paramilitary unit to make cocaine for them. He creates a synthetic drug that allows him to kill his captors and escape. But the drug he was forced to ingest also turns him into a junkie.
Calling himself Disposable, he wanders homeless on the streets with his only companion, a dog. When his pet is killed in an arson attack, his rage transforms him into El Colibri, an assassin bent on fighting against corruption and social injustice. “Desechable” has already racked up several awards during its development, including the MIFA/Annecy award at Ventana Sur’s Animation pitching session in 2020 and the best project prize at the Animation Lab of Toulouse. In a conversation with Variety, director Carlos Gomez Salamanca and Molina broke down their ideas for the making of the feature. Could you talk about the materials you used in making ‘Desechable,’ the style, the use of both 2D and 3D. Carlos Gomez: I come from the world of art. The three short films I made with the Bogotá Monocroma studio have a basic
Shakira set to face trial in Spain for tax evasion
Shakira is set to face trial in Spain for tax evasion after being accused of failing to pay $13.9million (£13m) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.Authorities are seeking an eight-year prison sentence for the singer on the allegation that she made widespread use of shell companies to conceal her income made between 2012 and 2014.In a recent response – her first since the claims became public — Shakira claimed her innocence and deemed the charges “fictional.”In a new interview with Elle she said: “As of today, I owe zero to them.” Shakira went on to explain her confidence in being transparent about her earnings, since she “was advised by one of the four biggest tax specialist firms in the world, PricewaterhouseCoopers.”Yesterday (September 27), a Spanish judge approved a trial for the case, with prosecutors seeking an eight-year prison sentence. Shakira’s representatives say she has paid everything she owed to the government, with €3m (£2.6m) on top in interest.A date for the trial has not yet been set.In the Elle interview, Shakira claimed that the allegations – which she deemed “false” and “without evidence” – are an attempt by the Spanish government “to coerce settlement agreements” via “a salacious press campaign” and the “the threat of reputational damage.” The singer also described such claims as commonplace among her country’s tax authorities, saying that “it’s just their style.”“It is well known that the Spanish tax authorities do this often not only with celebrities like me, it also happens unjustly to the regular taxpayer,” she said.
Shakira Ordered To Stand Trial In Spain For Alleged Tax Evasion
A Barcelona court has ordered Colombian music superstar Shakira to stand trial for six counts of alleged tax fraud in the amount of 14.5M million euros ($13.9 million), according to the BBC and local reports. This past summer, it was reported that the Grammy winner was potentially facing an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of 23.8 million euros ($22.7 million) if found guilty. She has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Spain boss provides encouraging injury update on Man City's Aymeric Laporte
Spain are not concerned about Aymeric Laporte's injury ahead of the World Cup, as Luis Enrique has hinted the Manchester City man will be recovered in time to represent them in Qatar.
Peru’s Apus Animation Studio Pacts with Spain, Brazil (EXCLUSIVE)
Anna Marie de la Fuente Lima-based Apus Animation Studio has pacted with Spanish and Brazilian shingles to co-produce its projects, among them TV series “Chek & Chan” with Valencia-based Hampa Animation Studio and Apus’ first animation feature, “Nimuendajú: El Hombre que Encontró su Camino,” with Brazil’s Anaya Films. Apus presents “La Orquestita,” co-produced with Barcelona-based Mago Prods., at the inaugural Co-Production and Financing Forum hosted by the Iberseries & Platino Industria TV event in Madrid (Sept.27-30). Directed by Uruguayan Juan Carve, founder of chucho.tv, the kids animated series teaches kids about the mystery behind music, how it’s composed, why it move us. The 26-part, 11-minute episode series has already been sold to Argentina’s Pakapaka, TV3 Catalonia, Señal Colombia and pubcaster TVE, said Bonilla.
Madrid’s Iberseries & Platino Industria Launches New Series Co-Production & Financing Forum
Anna Marie de la Fuente Buoyed by the success of last year’s one-to-one networking sessions, Madrid’s 2nd Iberseries & Platino Industria market is launching a new TV forum aimed at fostering co-production and financing pacts between selected producers and potential partners or investors. “We are functioning as an accelerator in a way as the selected projects have at least 40% of their financing in place and just need that final push to see the light,” said Iberseries director Samuel Castro, who adds that these series have budgets ranging from €5 million-€30 million ($ million-$30 million) . The 10 companies, selected out of some 25 submissions, include some heavy hitters led by Spain’s Zebra Prods (Grupo Izen), Gato Grande-MGM, Argentina’s Storylab and El Estudio, founded by former Canana producing partner Pablo Cruz, producer Enrique López Lavigne and former Sony Pictures Intl. Prods. head, Diego Suárez Chialvo.
Shakira Ordered To Stand Trial In Spain Over Tax Fraud Charges
The trial against Shakira is set to go forward.
Secuoya Studios, Caracol TV Seal Scripted Series Production Alliance (EXCLUSIVE)
John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Headed by ex-HBO exec James Costos, Los Angeles and Madrid-based Secuoya Studios and Colombia’s Caracol Television have closed a framework deal to jointly develop, produce and finance scripted series over the next year. The agreement seals an alliance between two of Latin America’s powerhouses, with large international ambitions. Amazon’s Prime Video and now Mediawan have boarded Secuoya Studios’ flagship series “Zorro,” starring “Elite’s” Miguel Bernardeau and Renata Notni, directed by “Money Heist’s” Javier Quintas. Producer of iconic longer-format series, Caracol TV’s “La Reina del Flow” Season 1 sold to over 100 countries; “El Rey; Vicente Fernandez” Season 1 bowed on Netflix Sept. 12 , shooting to No. 3 in global non-English charts.
Diane Kruger Kisses Norman Reedus at 'Marlowe' Premiere in Spain
Diane Kruger sneaks in a kiss from fiance Norman Reedus at the premiere of her movie, Marlowe, during the 2022 San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal on Saturday (September 24) in San Sebastian, Spain.
Diane Kruger Meets Fans In The Rain After Arriving in Spain with Norman Reedus
Diane Kruger braves the rain while arriving at the Maria Cristina Hotel in San Sebastian, Spain on Friday (September 23).
Spain’s Peekaboo and GoldBee, Germany’s KiKA Win Tributes at Cartoon Forum
Ben Croll Capping an Iberian flavored edition that featured eight pitch projects and a spotlight on the national industry, Spanish outfits GoldBee and Peekaboo Animation won tributes at this year’s Cartoon Forum, with the Barcelona-based GoldBee named Investor/Distributor of the Year and indie production house Peekaboo Animation claiming the Producer prize. Rounding out the tributes with continental flair, Germany’s KiKA was awarded Broadcaster of the Year. Founded in 2013 and now boasting a catalogue over 2,500 titles strong, GoldBee specializes in half-hour children’s and family content, distributing animation and live-action productions to partners around the world. Projects like the Mexican-Spanish co-production “Cleo & Cuquin” and the British chiller “Scream Street” are but some of GoldBee’s notable titles. In keeping with German-Spanish pas-de-deux of this year’s tributes, the Barcelona-based GoldBee has found particular success with ZDF Studios productions “Ziggy and the Zootram” and “Henrietta.”
From Talent to Co-Production and John Sloss’ Movement, 8 Takeaways from San Sebastian’s Investors Conference
Europe’s Big Hope: Platforms Really Embracing Cinema In the U.S., the platforms already buy big when it comes to movies. Think Sundance. Europe is another land: Platforms have largely held back much more, thwarted in France, for instance, by regulated windows.
Baby left with painful rash 'all over him' when mum's luggage was lost for NINE days after nightmare flight to Spain
A new mum is having a ‘horrendous’ Spanish getaway after being without any luggage for NINE days when her flight left Manchester Airport without loading any bags onboard.
Anna Kendrick’s ‘The Dating Game,’ Richard Linklater’s ‘Hitman’ Sell Wide for AGC International, Production to Start in October
Naman Ramachandran AGC International, the international sales and distribution arm of Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios, has revealed a raft of pre-sales on Richard Linklater’s “Hitman” and Anna Kendrick’s “The Dating Game.” “Hitman” will begin production in New Orleans in early October and “The Dating Game” in Vancouver later the same month. “The Dating Game,” which marks Kendrick’s directorial debut, tells the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared on popular U.S. dating program “The Dating Game” — and was selected to go on a date with contestant Cheryl Bradshaw (to be played by Kendrick) — before his grisly crimes were ultimately exposed.
Spain, Sweden & Japan Royals Attend Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral - See Every Guest Arrival Here
Queen Elizabeth II‘s funeral brought so many world leaders together on Monday (September 19) in London, England.
The Big Moon appeal for help after their gear is stuck in Spain
The Big Moon have taken to Twitter to appeal for help ahead of their UK tour, after their gear was stranded in Spain.“Help!! Our gear is stranded in Spain and we have our first show of the tour in Sheffield tomorrow,” the four-piece wrote on Twitter.
Spanish Screenings on Tour Promise Record Presence for Spain at Ventana Sur
Ventana Sur, Latin America’s biggest film-TV market. Co-organized by Cannes Marché du Film, Cannes Film Festival and Argentina’s INCAA film-TV agency, Ventana Sur runs Nov. 28–Dec.2. Announced Sunday at a San Sebastian press conference, Spanish Screenings on Tour will see five projects or productions-in-post from Spain play at each of four key Ventana Sur forums. These take in animation platform Animation! where five titles will be presented as part of a Spanish Screenings Anímate initiative, its genre market Blood Window (Spanish Screamings), women directors’ project section Punto de Género (Spanish Screenings Perspectives) and TV focus SoloSerieS (Spanish Screenings Series), said Beatriz Navas, director general of Spain’s ICAA film-TV agency.
Spain’s Elamedia Swoops on Locarno Prize Winner ‘Electric Dreams’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Christopher Vourlias Spanish production and distribution company Elamedia has acquired “Tengo sueños eléctricos” (I Have Electric Dreams), the Locarno prize-winning debut by director Valentina Maurel, which will screen in the Horizontes Latinos section of the San Sebastian Film Festival. Elamedia will be releasing the film in Spanish theaters later this year. Set in Costa Rica, “Electric Dreams” follows Eva (Daniela Marin Navarro), a strong-willed 16-year-old girl who lives with her mother, her younger sister and their cat, but desperately wants to move in with her estranged father (Reinaldo Amien Guttierez). Clinging onto him as he goes through a second adolescence, she balances between the tenderness and sensitivity of teenage life and the ruthlessness of the adult world.