Paz Vega to star in ‘Death Has No Master’: A gripping tale of justice and survival
A new chapter for Paz Vega
Spanish screen icon Paz Vega is set to lead the cast of the upcoming film Death Has No Master, directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Jorge Thielen Armand. This project has been selected for the Venice Production Bridge’s Gap-Financing Market, which runs from August 30 to September 1.
The plot thickens
In Death Has No Master, Vega portrays Carolina, a Venezuelan woman who returns to her homeland after two decades abroad. Upon her return, she discovers that her family’s cacao plantation has been taken over by former workers who refuse to leave. As Carolina navigates this treacherous landscape, she reveals a darker, more ruthless side of herself in her quest for justice in a lawless environment.
A breakthrough role
Producer Stefano Centini of Rome-based Volos Films Italia describes this role as a “breakthrough” for Vega, who recently made her directorial debut with Rita at the Locarno Film Festival. Armand adds, “We’re used to seeing Paz Vega as an icon of beauty and glamor, and this is a film where we’re going to see her down in the mud.”
Behind the scenes
Death Has No Master is written and directed by Armand and produced by a coalition of production companies, including La Faena Films, Fait Divers Media, Volos Films Italia, Tres Cinematografía, Whisky, Su Dosis, Paloma Negra, Deal Productions, Mutokino, and Japonica Films. Armand’s previous works, La Soledad and La Fortaleza, have premiered at prestigious film festivals, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary cinema.
A personal journey
Armand’s third feature delves into the emotional journey of a filmmaker who fled Venezuela nearly two decades ago. Now based in Madrid, Armand shares the sentiments of many exiled Venezuelans who dream of returning home. “This is my story, but also the story of another 8 million Venezuelans,” he says. “I feel like [Carolina] represents the fears and dreams of many people who left, who left things behind, who left land or family, friends, and have this fear of going back and not knowing what they will find.”
The backdrop of unrest
Death Has No Master is set against the backdrop of Venezuela’s ongoing economic crisis, which has forced many to resort to desperate measures. Armand aims to explore moral gray areas, focusing on “people who are human and people who make mistakes and people who do questionable things.” He explains, “For me, the theme of this film is justice. It’s a film where the characters are left to take justice into their own hands,” leading to violent and irreversible consequences.
A global collaboration
The film is a six-country co-production involving Venezuela, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Spain, and Canada. Centini notes that Venezuela cannot be the main financing country due to its political and economic situation. The producers are currently seeking to close the last 20-25% of the budget, with plans to begin production in the first quarter of 2025.
Exploring filming locations
While the filmmakers are considering shooting in Colombia, where Armand recently filmed the short Pasta Negra with Death Has No Master‘s Director of Photography Simone D’Arcangelo, they are also exploring other possibilities.
Centini’s presence in Venice
Centini will be in Venice with a trio of films, including Singaporean filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua‘s Golden Lion contender Stranger Eyes, Horizons player Wishing on a Star by Péter Kerekes, and Hayoun Kwon‘s Guardians of the Jade Mountain, premiering in the festival’s VR competition.
Final thoughts
Death Has No Master promises to be a compelling exploration of justice, survival, and the human condition, set against the tumultuous backdrop of contemporary Venezuela. With Paz Vega in a transformative role and Jorge Thielen Armand at the helm, this film is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Death Has No Master.