Protagonist Pictures has acquired Luis Ortega’s absurdist comedy “Kill the Jockey” for worldwide sales. The film will make its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, and will make its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in the Centrepiece section.
The story revolves around Remo Manfredini (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), a legendary jockey whose self-destructive behavior is beginning to outshine his talent and threaten his relationship with his girlfriend Abril (Úrsula Corberó).
On the day of the most important race of his career that will clear him of his debts from his mobster boss Sirena (Daniel Gimenez Cacho), he has a severe accident, disappears from the hospital and wanders the streets of Buenos Aires. Free from his identity, he starts to discover who he is truly meant to be. But Sirena wants him found, dead or alive.
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The film, co-written by Ortega with Rodolfo Palacios and Fabián Casas, stars César Award winner Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (“120 Beats Per Minute,” “My New Friends”), Úrsula Corberó (Netflix’s “Money Heist,” upcoming Sky series “The Day of the Jackal”) and Ariel Award winner Daniel Gimenez Cacho (“Bardo,” “False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” “Zama”).
“Luis is a cinematic visionary who has proven himself to be one of Argentina’s most exciting directors,” said Dave Bishop, CEO of Protagonist Pictures. “’Kill the Jockey’s’ humor and singular style coupled with Nahuel and Úrsula’s top notch performances set it up to be a must see.”
The film is produced by Rei Pictures’ Benjamín Domenech, Santiago Gallelli and Matías Roveda (“The Settlers,” “The Rescue,” “Zama”); Ortega and Esteban Perroud via their production label El Despacho; Infinity Hill’s Axel Kuschevatzky and Cindy Teperman (“Argentina 1985”); Warner Music Entertainment’s Charlie Cohen and Exile’s Nando Vila and Paz Lázaro.
The executive producers include Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro, Isaac Lee, Ron Broitman, Federico Frágola, Phin Glynn, Delfina Montecchia and Martín Fisner.
The film is co-produced by Piano, El Estudio, Snowglobe, Jacinto Films and Barraca, in association with VIX, Pampa Films and Gloriamundi, together with Dim Films and Fundación Ernesto Sábato.
“It’s a true privilege to partner with Protagonist Pictures on ‘Kill the Jockey.’ Their distinct approach in bringing high-quality films to international audiences is a perfect fit for this unique film and we’re thrilled to have them on board,” Domenech said.
Ortega’s previous film “El Angel” world premiered in Un Certain Regard at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was selected as the Oscar entry for Argentina that year. Inspired by the true story of the notorious 1970s serial killer Carlos Robledo Puch, the film scored a record box office opening at the time in Argentina for a local production.
