Buenos Aires-based FilmSharks, led by CEO Guido Rud, has pounced on world sales rights to Lucia Puenzo’s “Los Impactados” on the eve of the American Film Market (AFM) where it will kick off sales.
Delving into the theme of rebirth in the face of profound trauma, “Los Impactados” follows Ada, portrayed by Mariana Di Girólamo (Pablo Larraín’s “Ema” ), whose unusual journey begins when she is struck by lightning, leading her on a fascinating transformation alongside a mysterious doctor, played by Germán Palacios, the lead from “El Último Hereje.” Along the way, she forms a bond with a group of fellow survivors who find themselves increasingly captivated by the power of electricity.
In an earlier interview with PvNew, Puenzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Lorena Ventimiglia, said she was intrigued by “the possibility that something as random as lightning could strike us with the force of a nuclear reactor, marking our body with that rhizomatic scar called the Lichtenberg Mark, the electrical path that electricity makes when passing through a body.”
However, “we discover that ‘Los Impactados’ isn’t a movie about being struck by lightning, what its protagonist discovers on this journey is something else,” she added.
The drama was produced by Pepe Puenzo at Historias Cinematográficas, the Puenzo family’s production shingle led by Academy Award winner Luis Puenzo (“The Official Story”) alongside Academy and Emmy award-winning producer Mark Johnson (“Breaking Bad”) and Paula Manzanedo (“Memory,” “La Caida”), with the support of Exile Content Studio and Non Stop Studios. Juan de Dios and Pablo Larraín’s Fábula co-produced.
Pepe Puenzo, who was delighted to entrust the sales to FilmSharks, noted that demand was high for “Los Impactados” after its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in September.
According to Federico Pascua, FilmSharks senior VP of international sales and acquisitions, a major Latin American deal is “in the works” with theatrical deals for Brazil, Argentina and Chile as well.
Pacts with the U.S., Spain, France, Germany, Japan and Korea were expected to happen shortly, he told PvNew.
“Lucia’s magic eye in this superbly creative plot captured us at first sight; having refreshing storylines from world renowned cinema masters is key to the highly demanding and competitive distribution market,” said Matias Fontenla, FilmSharks VP of international sales.
AFM runs through Nov. 5.
