A new cinematic journey: ‘A Distant Place’ explores love and memory
A promising collaboration in Latin American cinema
In an exciting development for cinema enthusiasts, Chile’s Sebastián Freund of Rizoma Films and Argentine actors Ernesto Alterio and Soledad Villamil have joined forces for the upcoming feature film by Argentine filmmaker Alberto Lecchi, titled A Distant Place (Un lugar lejano). This collaboration brings together a wealth of talent and experience, promising a deeply moving narrative.
A story of love and resilience
Penned by Gerardo Pranteda, A Distant Place delves into the lives of a pianist and a history teacher who are given a second chance at love. Their journey, however, is overshadowed by a devastating illness that threatens the musician’s grasp on reality. This poignant story aims to explore themes of love, memory, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.
Lorena Quevedo, CEO & producer at Twins Latin Films, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are excited to make a film that shows how love, memory, and bonds can offer comfort and hope even in the most difficult moments. It also addresses frontotemporal dementia, a condition rarely explored in cinema, providing an empathetic and sensitive perspective.”
A powerful production team
The film is a collaborative effort between lead producer Twins Latin Films of Argentina and co-producers Filmakers Monkeys from Spain. Rizoma Films, known for productions like Papa al rescate and The Same Blood, also joins the team. The project is currently participating in the Iberseries & Platino Industria Co-Production Forum in Madrid, a significant step in its development journey.
Sebastián Freund of Rizoma Films shared his excitement about the project, highlighting the compelling themes and the talented team involved. “When Lorena invited me to participate in A Distant Place, I felt that it was not only the theme of the film—a love story, the complexity of human relationships, a rare mental illness, the importance of second chances—compelling, but also the committed talent involved,” said Freund.
A diverse and talented cast and crew
The film boasts a diverse and talented cast and crew, including young Chilean actor Clemente Rodríguez, Chile’s Sergio Armstrong as the director of photography, and editor Andrea Chignoli. Spanish co-producer Néstor López of Filmakers Monkeys also brings his expertise to the project. This international collaboration aims to create a film with the potential to cross borders and debut at a prestigious festival.
A history of successful collaborations
Founded in 2009 by Lorena Quevedo and Pablo Di Patrizio, Twins Latin Films has a history of successful co-productions with countries like France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Chile. Their most recent productions, Almamula and Salvajes, have garnered attention and are available for streaming on Prime Video.
Rizoma Films, a co-producer on Salvajes, which will debut on Prime Video on September 24, has also had a gratifying experience working with Twins Latin Films. This collaboration on A Distant Place is expected to be equally rewarding, with the potential to create a work of high artistic value that touches on universal emotions.
Looking ahead: The Iberseries Co-Production Forum
The Iberseries Co-Production Forum is the next stop in the project’s development journey, following its prize win at the recent Guadalajara Film Festival’s Co-Production Meeting. Lorena Quevedo mentioned that they are evaluating the possibility of adding a Mexican producer and are open to partners from other territories. “From a production standpoint, it presents an opportunity to create a work of high artistic value that touches on universal emotions, enabling the creation of an organic co-production among Ibero-American countries, tailored to their markets and audiences,” she added.
Principal photography and future prospects
Principal photography for A Distant Place is slated to begin in June 2025, with locations set in Madrid, Córdoba, and Mendoza in Argentina, as well as Santiago, Chile. This ambitious project aims to bring a deeply moving story to life, exploring themes of love, memory, and resilience in a way that resonates with audiences worldwide.
For those eager to learn more about the film and its development, the Iberseries & Platino Industria event, taking place from October 1-4 in Madrid, will provide further insights and updates.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit A Distant Place.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the upcoming film A Distant Place, highlighting its themes, production team, and development journey. By exploring the film’s narrative and the collaborative efforts behind it, we hope to offer readers a deeper understanding of this promising project in Latin American cinema.