Luxbox France, Amore Cine Spain Board Melina León's 'Portrait Huaco' for Ventana Sur Proyecta (Exclusive)

Luxbox France and Amore Cine Spain have boarded Peruvian drama 'Portrait Huaco' ('Huaco retrato') by Melina León, best known for her debut feature 'Song Without a Name' ('Canción sin nombre'), which premiered at the 2019 Directors' Fortnight. 'After the incredible journey we shared with Song Without a Name, to continue […]

Director Melina León was the first Peruvian female filmmaker to be screened at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight with her debut film Untitled Song, also managed by Luxbox.

France's Luxbox and Spain's Amore Cine have picked up the Peruvian drama "Portrait Huaco" ("Huaco retrato") by Melina León, best known for her debut feature "Canción sin nombre", which premiered at the 2019 Directors' Festival.

Luxbox's Fiorella Moretti said, "After the incredible journey we've shared with The Song With No Name, I'm excited to continue working with Melina, now both as International Sales Representative and Co-Producer. RELATED STORIES 'Intimacy Coordinators Don't Get Enough Credit' Says Cynthia Erivo: 'They're often given a hard time' but 'what they do is important'" SNL U.K.” Cynthia Erivo selects Danny Dyer and James Norton as the next presenters

"As a Peruvian, it's important to help showcase Gabriela Wiener's bold and contemporary work through Melina's unique vision," he added. Popular in Variety

For Paz Lázaro, who co-founded Amore Cine with Edson Sidoní ("Carnaval") and Juan Pablo Félix ("Mil Pedazos"), adapting Gabriela Wiener's "Portrait of Huaco" means presenting a work that connects Latin America and Spain, presenting colonialism, racism, identity and desire in an ancient yet thoroughly contemporary voice.

"For Amore Cine, alongside our other production partners, this is an opportunity to support a film of international scope that challenges perceptions and revisits our shared history."

Based on the Peruvian author's autobiographical novel, the project will participate in the 8th Proyecta Co-Production Forum in Ventana Sur, which will be held this year from November 30th to December 4th in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Amore Cine and Luxbox join Peru's Mano de Obra Cine led by Melissa Cordero and La Vida Misma Films, which is producing Untitled Song.

The story follows Gabriela, who returns to Lima after the death of her father. Returning home, he discovers a book by his grandfather, the Austrian explorer Charles Wiener. His search for the family past becomes an account of the enduring legacy of colonialism, internalized racism, and abandonment.

"Portrait Huaco" combines a distinctly Peruvian perspective with universal themes of identity, memory and colonial heritage. Cordero said that under the direction of Melina León, the film seeks to preserve Peru's cultural roots and creative leadership while embracing an international scope through strategic co-production partnerships.

This is the second time for Mano de Obra to collaborate with Amore Cine. Coming-of-age drama "Ofelia," currently in post, is a European-Latin American co-production that includes Amore, Argentina's Bikini Films, Chile's Quijote Films, Brazil's African Films and CUP Filmes, Spain's Potenza Producciones and France's Reality Films.

Said Cordero: "I'm interested in producing auteur films with a distinct cinematic voice and strong cultural identity, as well as genre films that can connect with a wider audience. I'm particularly drawn to stories rooted in Peru and Latin America that explore global themes, bringing local perspectives to international audiences."

"My short-term strategy is to strengthen Mano de Obra Cine's position as a production company focused on feature films, establishing strategic co-production partnerships throughout Latin America and Europe. I plan to combine public and private financing with international partnerships and distribution opportunities to create a sustainable portfolio of films with a strong creative identity and international reach."