Barcelona-based Filmax has swooped on international sales rights to “El amor de Andrea” (“Andrea’s Love”), the new feature by leading Spanish auteur Manuel Martín Cuenca, whose “The Motive” snagged a Fipresci Grand Prize at Toronto Film Festival, and was his third film selected for the festival.
“Andrea’s Love” is backed by Lazona, producers of the highest-grossing Spanish film ever on home turf, “Spanish Affair,” and Alebrije, behind Mexico’s all-time biggest box office hit, “Instructions Not Included.”
Also producing from Spain are La Loma Blanca, Martin Cuenca’s own label, tax incentive structure El Amor de Andrea AIE and Nephilim Producciones (“Black Beach,” “Invisibles”).
Martín Cuenca and Lola Mayo (“Woman Without Piano”) co-wrote “Andrea’s Love,” described as a film about love, family and disillusionment.
The story revolves around Andrea, a 15-year-old girl, who’s trying to win back the love of her father, who left her and her younger brothers after getting divorced from their mother. Throughout the process, Andrea will reclaim her right to have her voice heard.
One trait of Martín Cuenca’s career has been the discovery of new Spanishfaces. For example, his feature debut, “The Weakness of the Bolshevik” (2003), established Maria Valverde (“Exodus: Gods and Kings”) marked her first breakout on her way to becoming as one of Europe’s most sought-after young actors.
For “Andrea’s Love,” the actress finally chosen for the starring role was the young Lupe Mateo Barredo, after a long audition process carried out in Cadiz.
“I decided to film this movie chronologically, so the actors wouldn’t know what was going to happen until the day of the shoot,” Martín Cuenca said.
“This was a really incredible experience for everyone, especially Lupe Mateo Barredo, the actress playing Andrea. Every day, I watched her really get under the skin of her character, until she had made it totally her own.”
“Manuel’s talent is his ability to bring the best out in anyone who puts themselves in his hands,” added Ivan Diaz, Filmax head of international.
International buyers will be able to watch “Andrea’s Love” at a market screening at Toronto.
