Italian
Introducing 500 Cinema: A New Era for Female-Driven Projects
Florencia Larrea debuts her innovative all-female film company
Renowned Chilean producer Florencia Larrea, previously associated with Forastero, has launched 500 Cinema, an all-female film company set in the picturesque town of Viña del Mar. Larrea, known for films like “My Tender Matador,” emphasizes the beauty of Chile, stating, “Chile is too vast and beautiful a country for everything to be centered in Santiago.”
A Partnership Rooted in Innovation
500 Cinema is an extension of 500 Nanómetros, an avant-garde media agency headed by Antonia Valenzuela and Valentina Ripamonti. This innovative agency has been at the forefront of new media and immersive projects. After leaving Forastero, Larrea joined 500 Nanómetros as a creative director, finding great synergy with Valenzuela and Ripamonti.
“After leaving Forastero, I started as creative director at 500 Nanómetros, a company with a history of challenging the limits of creativity,” shared Larrea. Her collaboration with the innovative founders of 500 Nanómetros led to the natural evolution into 500 Cinema. Larrea’s extensive film catalog merged with the company’s expertise in project development and management to create a strong foundation for the new venture. “500 Nanómetros is led by women, and I really like that too,” Larrea added enthusiastically.
The Rising Tide of Female Creatives in South America
In South America, the rise of female producers has been remarkable, partly driven by the global #MeToo movement. Women’s presence is growing not just in production but in various traditionally male-dominated roles, including directing, writing, and technical fields like sound design and editing. This shift signals a powerful transition in the cultural and creative landscape of the region.
A Genre-Bending Debut: “Summer Hit”
500 Cinema aims to revolutionize genre cinema by exploring technical and narrative boundaries. Their debut project is Pablo Stoll’s zombie-romcom “Summer Hit” Summer Hit Trailer, set to premiere at the prestigious Sitges Film Festival. This film combines elements of romantic comedy, heist, and zombie horror, promising a unique viewing experience.
“Summer Hit” follows Felipe and Ana as they navigate a post-pandemic world, staging a grand heist on the sunny beaches of Uruguay. Ana and her friends, Malú and Martina, are small-time thieves targeting wealthy men. However, their plan spirals out of control when their victims refuse to stay dead, adding an unexpected zombie twist to the story.
The Making of “Summer Hit”
Pablo Stoll, the mastermind behind “Summer Hit,” reflects on how the project came to be. “While in a bar in Santiago discussing cinema with Florencia Larrea, I shared this idea about some girls who rob on the beaches and accidentally find themselves in a zombie-filled situation,” Stoll said. After years of development, their vision has finally come to fruition.
Intriguingly, Stoll’s passion for zombie films has deep roots. “The first movie I saw on VHS was a zombie film, and ever since, I’ve always wanted to make one,” he stated. Stoll’s journey from other genres back to his love for zombies is evident in his dedication to this project.
Bringing Childhood Inspirations to Life
Stoll’s reflections on genre cinema highlight its nostalgic significance. “When it comes to genre cinema, we can’t forget that it’s the cinema we grew up with, the one we watched on kids’ TV, at matinées, and on VHS as teenagers,” Stoll reminisces. His inspiration stems from classic zombie films like “Virus” by Italian director Bruno Mattei, which left a lasting impression on him.
Stellar Cast and Production
“Summer Hit” boasts an impressive cast, including Azul Fernández (“Merlí Sapere Aude”), Malena Villa (“El Ángel”), Débora Nishimoto (“Pr1nc3s4”), Sebastian Iturria (“El Año de la Furia”), and Agustín Silva (“La Nana”). The film also features a special guest appearance by Uruguayan actor-director Daniel Hendler.
The production is a collaborative effort involving 500 Cinema, Stoll’s Temperamento Films, and Nadador Cine from Uruguay, a company known for producing quality films like “The Employer and the Employee” and Celina Murga’s “The Freshly Cut Grass”. Their expertise ensures that ”Summer Hit” is a well-executed and highly anticipated project.
Paving the Way for Future Projects
Beyond the excitement of their debut film, 500 Cinema is already looking toward future endeavors. Their next project, titled ”Invunche,” is set for release next year, indicating the company’s commitment to continuous innovation and boundary-pushing narratives.
500 Cinema represents a bold step forward in gender representation and creative storytelling within the film industry. Their dedication to exploring new genres and narrative techniques positions them as a formidable player in the cinematic world.
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