Paulina García Set for ‘La Ilusión De Un Paraíso’ From Valeria Pivato
Chile’s Paulina García, winner of a Berlin Silver Bear for her performance in Sebastián Lelio’s “Gloria” and a highly-courted actor in Latin American productions, is attached to topline in Valeria Pivato’s tense drama project “La ilusión de un paraíso” (“An Illusion of Paradise”). García starred in Ira Sachs’ “Little Men,” which bowed in 2015.
The project is set up at Juan Pablo Miller’s Argentinian company Tarea Fina, the producer behind Pablo Giorgelli’s 2011 Cannes Camera d’Or winner “Las Acacias” and Paula Hernández’s Argentine 2020 Oscar submission “The Sleepwalkers.”
In development, “La ilusión de un paraíso” features among the 15 projects unveiled Aug. 11 by the San Sebastián Film Festival as part of its Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, which runs Sept. 22-24.
“La ilusión de un paraíso” marks the first solo feature by Pivato after Cannes Un Certain Regard player “The Desert Bride” and Mar del Plata best Argentinian film winner “Surfacing,” both co-directed with Cecilia Atán.
Written by Pivato alongside Leonel D’Agostino, a co-scribe on standout titles such as Fremantle-Fábula mini-series “La jauría” and Paula Hernández’s “A Ravaging Wind,” the project snagged an Accésit Prize at the 2023 Lola Salvador DAMA Screenwriting Award in Spain.
The story follows Elvira (59) and Joaquín (63), who have been married for decades and, recently retired, decide to move to a house in the mountains.
“In the woods, facing the still waters of the lake, Elvira begins to discover the dark nature of her husband, and struggles between compromise and active opposition, endangering her family’s promising future,” a synopsis says.
“The film’s structure explores the dramatic tension between an urban world – such as a European city and a wilder one, such as Patagonia. This characteristic allows for a highly organic co-production between Europe and Argentina,” producer Juan Pablo Miller said.
Tarea Fina faces a busy San Sebastián forum edition, as it is also involved as a co-producer in Argentine editor María Astrauskas directorial debut “Patrimony,” alongside Pablo Giorgelli Cine, another feature project selected to participate at the industry event.
“Gloria’s” Paulina García is also teaming with Panamanian filmmaker Ana Endara for “Victoria in the Clouds,” another project selected for the forum, following the duo’s success in award-winning film “Beloved Tropic.”
Announced early this summer, García will act in Neto Villalobos’ Costa Rica-Perú co-production “Love is the Monster.”
The Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum’s upcoming edition forms part of the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival, which takes place Sept. 19-27.
