EXCLUSIVE: Chile has submitted Fernando Guzzoni’s Blanquita, exploring a real-life baby prostitution scandal that rocked the nation within the early 2000s, as its official entry to the perfect worldwide movie class of the Oscars.
The movie was chosen as Chile’s official entry by members of the Chilean Movie Academy, in its third choice since its creation in 2018.
“As soon as once more we’re witnessing each the standard and variety of our cinema, in addition to the factors and dedication of our companions: 70% of them voted on this course of, probably the most participatory since we as an Academy have been in control of selecting the movie that represents Chile on the Oscars”, stated the physique’s government director Josefina Undurraga.
Blanquita world premiered within the Horizons part of the Venice Movie Pageant this yr, profitable the perfect screenplay prize for Guzzoni.
Large display debutant Laura López stars as an 18-year-old resident of a foster residence, who’s a key witness in a trial towards highly effective politicians and businessmen implicated in a toddler intercourse scandal. As questions are requested, her position within the scandal turns into unclear.
Award-winning veteran actor Alejandro Goic co-stars as a priest who runs the house the place the younger lady lives. Additional solid members embody Amparo Noguera, Marcelo Alonso and Daniela Ramirez.
The characteristic is impressed by the real-life early 2000s Spiniak Case involving a paedophilia ring run by an entrepreneur and sports activities membership proprietor, which offered providers to various high-placed politicians and businessmen.
The case divided Chile because it went by way of the courts, with doubts being solid on the testimony of key witness who was caught up within the ring as a minor and accused two senators of abusing her.
Guzzoni spent a yr investigating the case in-depth earlier than writing his screenplay.
“I’m very honored that Blanquita is Chile’s consultant on the Oscars and grateful for the help of all my colleagues on the Movie Academy,” stated Guzzoni.
“The movie places ahead in a thriller key an pressing situation about impunity and structural injustice in our nation, subsequently, it combines viewers vocation and a narrative with excessive social sensitivity,” he continued.
“We imagine that the movie being awarded in Venice, the nice reception from critics and the help of our worldwide companions and distributors will permit us to hold out a marketing campaign that seeks to make Blanquita’s message seen and place the movie in the very best approach.”
Blanquita is Guzzoni’s fourth characteristic after La Colorina, Carne de Perro (Canine Flesh) and Jesús, a few troubled, teenager who turns to violence in the hunt for thrills.
Giancarlo Nasi at Santiago-based Quijote Movies is the lead producer in co-production with Pablo Zimbrón at Varios Lobos (Mexico), Donato Rotunno at Tarantula (Belgium), Pascal Guerrin, Yves Darondeau and Emmanuel Priou at Bonne Pioche Cinema (France), and Beata Rzeźniczek at Madants (Poland).
New Europe Movie Gross sales handles worldwide gross sales.
“Blanquita is a strong and present film, which ought to make an impression on the Academy members. I can’t watch for them to see it,” stated New Europe CEO Naszewski.
Chile received the Oscar for finest worldwide movie in 2018 with Sebastían Lelio’s A Unbelievable Girl, whereas Pablo Larrain’s No was nominated for the 2012-13 race and Maite Alberdi’s The Mole Agent was nominated within the Greatest Documentary class final yr.
The deadline for the Greatest Worldwide Movie class closed on October 3, with round 85 titles being publicly declared up to now. Final yr, there have been submissions from 93 international locations.
