“On the Go,” a spirited, freewheeling road movie capturing the first lead performance in a movie of ‘Elite’ star Omar Ayuso, has clinched its first major sales, selling to Salzgeber for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and to Cineplex for Taiwan.
Paris-based MPM Premium picked up world sales rights to “On the Go”in the run-up to the Locarno Festival where it world premiered in its Filmmakers of the Present section.
The feature debut of directors Maria Gisèle Royo and Julia de Castro, “On the Go” is set against a contemporary Andalusia of music, dance, sex and sensuality against which Ayuso playing a role far from his Elite persona as a Grindr addict with vengeance in his heart, Ayuso is caught in opening scenes setting fire to a night club before being collected Milagros (De Castro), set on motherhood but unemployed and arriving in Seville in her father’s ’67 Corvair to persuade Jonathan to be her sperm donor.
They escape to Andalusia’s stunning southern coast and towns in the hills, picking up on the way a cookie young woman (Chacha Huang), called Triana’s Queen, who claims she’s a mermaid and has to get to the sea.
“On the Go” is also written by Royo, a Student Oscar winner (“Rediscovering Pape”) and also art director on “H,” a Film Independent Spirit Awards winner, and De Castro, singer-actress founder of De la Puríssima, and co-star of quirky comedy “De poquita fe,” a breakout new Movistar Plus+ hit.
It pays homage to a legendary movie, “Corridas de alegría,” in its 16mm filming and academic 1.37:1 format, setting and broad narrative – the torching of the club, escape to the Andalusian coast, vengeance scenario. Both films make stunning use of music, “On the Go” sporting tracks from both 70s/80s groups such as Burning and contemporary artists such as Alvaro Romero and “Gitana,” rom Derbys Motoretas Burrito Cachimba, which alone is worth paying the price of a cinema ticket.
“The positive press reviews, the Special Mention prize in Locarno and the exhilarating reaction from the audiences prove that ‘On the Go’ is a real discovery as much as a crowd-pleaser,” said Quentin Worthington, MPM Premium head of sales and acquisitions.
The film will first go to festivals before it is released in cinema theaters early next year.
“‘On The Go’ offers a captivating exploration of contemporary life,” added a Salzgeber source. “The film’s innovative storytelling and visually striking cinematography provide a unique perspective on the journey of self-discovery, making it a valuable addition to our collection. We’re looking forward to bringing it to German audiences next year.”
