Director Dominga Sotomayor is set to begin filming her new feature film, based on the novelLa Perraby Colombian author Pilar Quintana, during the second week of October. Backed by the Brazilian production company RT Features, the project offers a loose adaptation, moving the setting from the Colombian jungle to a fictional island in southern Chile.
Speaking toCulto, Sotomayor explained that her goal was to provide a "translation" of the original work into a local context. "I couldn't imagine filming it in Colombia, as it felt like a reality somewhat foreign to me," the filmmaker said.
The plot follows Silvia, played by Manuela Oyarzún, an algae harvester with a complex past who rescues a puppy. The screenplay, co-written with Uruguayan writer Inés Bortagaray, seeks to establish a sense of equality between the characters, the animals, and the natural environment.
An International Cast
The project will star Brazilian actor Selton Mello, recently acclaimed for his role inI'm Still Here. Mello will play an island resident connected to the protagonist's past.
Sotomayor noted her connection with the actor after reviewing the script. "We shared a very special connection when discussing our films," the director said.
The cast also features prominent Chilean actors such as Amparo Noguera, Giannina Fruttero, and David Gaete. The production is led by Brazilian producer Rodrigo Teixeira and the Chilean company Planta.
Sotomayor's new film marks a departure from her previous work,Limpia. According to the director, this new feature is "much more dispersed and more radical" than her most recent premiere at the San Sebastián Festival.
