‘Aruanas’ Producer Maria Farinha Films Boards Locarno Winner ‘Moa,’ Marcel Beltran’s Tale of a Trapped Woman Connecting With Ancient Taino People (EXCLUSIVE)
São Paulo-based impact producer Maria Farinha Films, behind Globoplay hit “Aruanas” and one of the global South’s key impact entertainment companies, has boarded Marcel Beltrán’s mystery drama “Moa,” a big double winner at Locarno’s 2022 Open Doors.
Produced by Paula Gastaud at Cuba’s Mediocielo Films, “Moa” is now set up as co-production with Mediocielo Filmes, also in São Paulo, and Maria Farinha Films, and the Dominican Republic’s Stems Group. It will be presented at Ventana Sur’s 2023 Proyecta project showcase, which takes place Nov. 29.
More from Variety
'Roman's Circuit's' Escala Humana Prepping CIA Drama Series 'Golpe' (EXCLUSIVE)
Prime Video Snaps Up Gabriela Tagliavini's 'Tequila Repasado' (EXCLUSIVE)
Also written by Beltrán, “Moa” won last year both the Locarno Open Doors Visions Sud Est, its main prize, and its Arte Kino International Prize for development.
Laced by fantasy and strong visuals, the story of a woman’s battle to escape a toxic relationship leading her into a connection with ancient people, “Moa” could well consolidate Beltran’s status as a fast emerging Cuban filmmaker, playing off plaudits for the also Gastaud-produced “La opción zero,” Beltrán’s first doc feature which world premiered at 2020’s IDFA and, post-pandemic, was awarded best feature at Spain’s MiradasDoc.
“Moa” turns on Solange who, upon returning to her hometown, is confronted with an ever-widening gap between her life and her ideals, experiencing a profound sense of solastalgia as the landscape she once knew undergoes drastic changes. This unsettling situation compels her to make a pivotal choice, triggering conflicts within her romantic relationship.
As Solange becomes increasingly disenchanted with her partner, she seeks solace and connection in her work as a biologist, dedicating most of her days to the serenity of a nature reserve. A mysterious and idyllic encounter with the ancient Taino Indians, who once inhabited the region hundreds of years ago, hints at alternative paths she could pursue. Pregnant, she realises that she must find the strength to find a way to freedom.
The narrative arc, in its dramatic and aesthetic conception, unfolds by showcasing the protagonist’s connection with the ancient inhabitants of the land, Gastaud noted. Real landscapes and scenarios undergo a transformation into enigmatic dreams and mystical experiences, offering a beacon of light and a sense of escape from her unfortunate fate. The director’s nostalgic exploration of the childhood landscape adds a poignant layer to the film’s narrative.
“This narrative approach not only engages the audience on a visceral level but also serves as a visual and emotional journey, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships with place and memory,” Beltrán told Variety. “The mystical experiences portrayed serve as a metaphorical bridge between the protagonist’s present struggles and the ancient roots of the land, creating a rich tapestry of connection and meaning,” he added.
“Visual language is the protagonist in ‘Moa,’” Gastaud told Variety. “Inspired by the director’s legacy of experimental cinema and deep knowledge of analog techniques, the film is a composition of landscapes, textures and colors, bringing freshness to aesthetic patterns of contemporary cinema,” she enthused.
“Moa” was put through the Moulin d’Andé/CNC Scriptwriting Artistic Residency 2023 and has been backed financially by the FSPI – The Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects from the French Embassy in Cuba/CNC/French Institute 2023. It also received a development incentive from the Projeto Paradiso Brasil no Mundo program.
Renewed governmental funding in Brazil and now backing from María Farinha Films may go some way to answering two main challenges which Gastaud saw last year: How to produce a film in Cuba, at an appropriate budget, while creating a green protocol for the production; “To secure funding from two countries that does not have enough support for their local productions, we need to rely on international financing, and to have a strong local partner is key to this strategy,” Gastaud said.
Founded by Estela Renner and Marcos Nisti, Maria Farinha Films caught worldwide attention producing Globoplay Original “Aruanas” which cleverly leveraged contempt tech Noirish beats, action scenes and its Brazilian stars to create an appealing Amazon-set thriller picturing the four sassy women members of a São Paulo environmental NGO battling the devastation wrought by a mining corporation.
Season 1 was launched in 11 languages on a bespoke OTT service aruanas.tv
In August 2022, Participant Media and Maria Farinha Films announced they were jointly developing “Esperanza,” an adventure drama tracking the crew of the vessel Esperanza as they fight for environmental and social rights around the world.
“Focusing on powerful and inspiring stories, having produced more than 50 films and series in the last 15 years. Maria Farinha Films is a powerful and key partner for the project at this stage and we are very excited about this partnership,” Gastaud said.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
