Paraguayan horror film ‘Do Not Enter’ secures international deals
A new wave of horror from Latin America
The horror genre continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and the latest sensation comes from Paraguayan director Hugo J. Cardozo. His film, Do Not Enter (original title: No Entres), has garnered significant attention, securing theatrical deals across multiple countries. The film’s international trailer has just been released, coinciding with its Asian premiere at the Busan Film Festival.
Expanding global reach
Do Not Enter has already inked deals with several major distributors. Busch Media will handle the film’s release in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while Playarte has secured rights for Brazil. Nos Lusomundo will bring the film to Portuguese audiences, and Corazon Films will distribute it in Mexico. These agreements add to previous deals with Program Store for France and Nashe Kino for Russia and the CIS region.
FilmSharks, the company managing these deals, is in ongoing discussions with distributors in Japan, Korea, Spain, and the U.S. Additionally, there are talks for potential remakes in the U.S. and India, highlighting the universal appeal of the horror genre.
The chilling plot
The film follows two YouTube influencers, Luciano and Cristian, who decide to break into an abandoned mansion rumored to be haunted. Their goal is to thrill their followers with increasingly shocking content. As they explore the mansion at night, they encounter a series of strange and terrifying events. In a spine-chilling climax, a ghoul with glowing eyes reaches out to them, turning the tables as the hunters become the hunted.
For a sneak peek, check out the Do Not Enter trailer.
A successful premiere and production background
Do Not Enter had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it opened the genre hub Fantastic Pavilion. This Argentine-Paraguayan co-production was produced by Guido Rud and Rene Ruiz Diaz, with Hugo J. Cardozo and Sébastien Auscher serving as executive producers. The film is part of a three-picture deal between Rud, Ruiz Diaz, and Cardozo’s HJ Production banner.
FilmSharks’ Sales VP, Matias Fontenla, expressed his satisfaction with the film’s international performance. He noted that Latin American talent continues to grow, and Cardozo is emerging as a key director to watch. Fontenla previously sold Cardozo’s film Morgue, which was a significant success.
The legacy of ‘Morgue’
Cardozo’s previous film, Morgue, released in 2019, is a paranormal mystery-thriller about a security guard trapped in a hospital morgue. It was dubbed the Spanish-language Paranormal Activity and outperformed major studio horror films at the Paraguayan box office, including It Chapter 2 and Annabelle Comes Home.
Morgue was sold to various international markets, including the U.S. (Well Go USA), Latin America (WarnerMedia’s HBO Latin America), Korea, Japan, France, Spain, and Russia. Recently, Mexico’s BH5 Studios optioned the remake rights, with producers from the U.S., Indonesia, Spain, and France also in talks.
FilmSharks senior executive Federico Pascua expressed excitement about the remake, confident that BH5 Studios will elevate Morgue to new heights.
For those interested in exploring Morgue, you can watch the Morgue trailer.
The future of Latin American horror
The success of Do Not Enter and Morgue underscores the growing influence of Latin American filmmakers in the horror genre. Hugo J. Cardozo’s work is a testament to the region’s burgeoning talent and its ability to produce compelling, globally appealing content. As more international deals and remakes come to fruition, the world will undoubtedly see more from this talented director and his peers.
For horror enthusiasts, these films offer a fresh perspective and a thrilling experience. The unique cultural elements and storytelling techniques employed by Latin American directors add a new dimension to the genre, making it an exciting time for fans and filmmakers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates on Do Not Enter and other upcoming projects from Hugo J. Cardozo and FilmSharks.