A fresh take on international cinema: ‘Hard Boiled School’ and its global collaboration
A new wave of international cooperation
In an era where global collaboration is becoming increasingly essential, the upcoming film Hard Boiled School (original title: La escuela pesada) stands as a testament to the power of cross-border partnerships. This ambitious project, helmed by Argentine director Hernán Rosselli, has garnered support from a diverse array of production companies spanning multiple countries. The lead producer, Un Puma from Argentina, is joined by co-producers from France (Caractères Productions), Chile (Planta Prods.), Austria (Nabis Filmgroup), Uruguay (Tarkiofilm), Brazil (Multiverso Produções), and Portugal (Oublaum Filmes).
The story behind ‘Hard Boiled School’
Currently in the financing stage, Hard Boiled School delves into the life of the legendary Argentine thief Pedro Palomar. After serving a decade-long sentence for armed robbery, Palomar is unexpectedly thrust into the role of guardian for his former partner’s daughter upon his release. This dramatic narrative promises to explore themes of redemption, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships.
A blend of reality and fiction
Rosselli, known for his previous works like Mauro and Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, continues his unique approach of blending professional actors with non-professionals. This method blurs the lines between reality and fiction, creating a distinctive tone that keeps the audience engaged. As Rosselli explains, “The co-existence of professional and amateur actors lets the freshness of that middle tone prevent the film from falling into any commonplaces and mannerisms, without giving up the dramatic function of the scenes.”
A community effort
The cast of Hard Boiled School includes Palomar himself, along with Sabino Soria, Delfina Groizard, Chiquito Riquelme, and Leandro Menendez. Many of these actors are part of the intimate environment of Pedro Palomar and Rosselli, hailing from the Lomas de Zamora neighborhood, which serves as the main setting for the story.
Pedro Palomar: A life on screen
Now 70 years old, Palomar has transitioned from a life of crime to one of cinematic storytelling. Since his release in 2008, he has appeared in films such as Planta permanente by Ezequiel Radusky and Rosselli’s Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed. While Hard Boiled School is inspired by Palomar’s life, it remains a work of fiction, blending elements of biography, documentary, and classic heist film tropes.
A cinematic palimpsest
Rosselli’s vision for Hard Boiled School is to create a “reference palimpsest,” utilizing old film fragments to depict the past. This approach aims to craft a multi-layered narrative that combines the meticulous planning and execution of a bank heist with the personal biography of Palomar and a documentary-style exploration of the film’s own production process.
Backing and support
The project has received backing from several prestigious institutions, including the Argentine film institute INCAA, the Hubert Bals Fund, and Mecenazgo (Buenos Aires City Patronage Law). This support underscores the film’s potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.
Un Puma: A beacon of Argentine cinema
Based in Buenos Aires, Un Puma was founded by Victoria Marotta and Jerónimo Quevedo. The production company has a track record of producing critically acclaimed features and short films. Recent works include About Thirties by Martín Shanly, which premiered at Berlinale, The Human Surge 3 by Eduardo Williams, showcased at Locarno, and The Practice by Martín Rejtman, which debuted at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Looking ahead
Hard Boiled School is slated to begin principal photography in July 2025, with anticipation building for its unique blend of storytelling and innovative production techniques. The film’s participation in the San Sebastian Film Festival’s Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum highlights the growing trend of international cooperation in the face of industry challenges such as rising production costs and fluctuating state funding.
The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival, running from September 20-28, promises to be a significant platform for Hard Boiled School and other groundbreaking projects that exemplify the spirit of global collaboration in cinema.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Hard Boiled School.