Just over half a year since its launch, upstart European sales company Feel Content is heading to the Cannes Film Market with a slate of six Spanish-language features from Spain and Latin America.
Feel Content is the joint endeavor of Geraldine Gonard, director of Spain’s Conecta Fiction co-production forum, and Luis Collar, a partner and CEO at The Circular Group, a diversified film company. At last year’s Ventana Sur the company made its public bow with a slate of four productions: Matías Meyer’s “Modern Loves,” “Karakol” from Argentina’s Saula Benavente, Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible” and Toni Bestard’s “Pullman.”
“We think there’s a clear gap to fill in Spain for one more international sales agency, given there aren’t many in the country. Those that are here can’t represent all the films coming onto the market,” Collar told Variety ahead of the Argentine market.
Feel Content can bring multiple assets to the table for films hoping to impact the international marketplace. One is the large experience and network of the two partners and their team. Another is a willingness to get involved with productions at whatever stage is necessary, so long as they believe in the product.
“We are coming into projects at any stage. As was the case with ‘Josefine,’ it could be only on the script, or with ‘Things to Do Before You Die’ when the movie is completed. We are looking for good content that could fulfill the needs of our clients, that’s the most important point for us,” said Gonard.
“We are increasing our catalog with European titles as well,” explained Gonard, emphasizing that the company is actively seeking out films from other European countries, regardless of language.
Below, six titles Feel Content will be selling at this year’s Cannes Film Market.
“Things to Do Before You Die”
A domestic festival hit, winning awards at the Alicante and Valencia film festivals, “Things to Do Before You Die” turns on a group of 30-something friends who have drifted apart, brought back together by the untimely death of the youngest among them. The Fly Hunter and Fosca Films produced the Catalan feature. Cristina Fernández Pintado (“El desentierro”) penned the film’s screenplay, and co-directed with veteran cinematographer Miguel Llorens.
“Ons”
Maruxiña Film Company and Bando À Parte co-produce the latest from Alfonso Zarauza, who’s last feature “Os fenómenos” played in official competition at Malaga. This time around, Zarauza teamed with co-writer Jaione Camborda Coll on the Gallaecian story of Dr. Vicente and his wife Mariña, alone on a remote island attempting to bring a light back into their relationship. Their holiday is interrupted when a shipwreck washes up nearby and an amnesiac foreigner disrupts their solitude.
“An Optical Illusion”
Written and directed by Juan Cavestany (“Gente en Sitios”) and starring one of Spain’s busiest actors, Carmen Machi (“Broken Embraces”), “Broken Embraces” follows Teresa and Alfredo, a Spanish couple who book a trip to New York. Once there, unease sets in as the landmarks they visit don’t quite match the images they have in their minds of the city, and an existential “Groundhog Day” scenario kicks in as the two cycle through the same streets, cafes and sites over and over. Cuidado Con El Perro produced the trans-Atlantic feature.
“Josefina”
This year’s winner of the Spanish Academy Goya Award for best short, Javier Marco (“A la cara”) makes his feature debut with “Josefina,” headlined by Spanish superstar Emma Suarez (“Julieta”). The film turns on Juan, a prison guard who oversees the weekly visits of Berta, mother of one of the inmates. In a questionable attempt to interact with her, Juan pretends to be the father of a made-up inmate named Josefina. White Leaf Producciones and Featurent produce.
“Light Years”
One of two films from outside of Spain, Joaquín Mauad’s Uruguayan feature, produced by Anfibia Cine, is the story of three siblings forced to reconvene after years apart to close the sale of their childhood home. While together, the trio will have the chance for reconciliation as a family once again, or they can finish the task at hand and part as strangers for the last time.
“A Skeleton in the Closet”
In this Argentine family dramedy, Manuel, suffering an existential crisis after a disastrous coming out, is forced to visit his hometown for a family meeting. There, he and his parents find a chance for reconciliation after the young man learns he’s just been dumped and is in need of support. Director and screenwriter Nicolás Teté co-produced with María Vacas.
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