Local Helmers Gain Global Spotlight

variety.com:

Anna Marie de la Fuente Spurred by modest state funds, growing TV support and co-production pacts, filmmaking in Peru is on the rise and with it, it’s seeing sometimes a rousing presence on the international stage.

Peruvian pics snagged six awards at March’s Malaga Film Festival and industry component MAFIZ, an unprecedented haul for the event’s country guest of honor.

Plaudits went to Mauricio Frey’s “Estados generales,” Francesca Canepa’s “La otra orilla,” Ximena Valdivia’s “4eber,” documentary “Hatun Phaqcha” by Delia Ackerman and Leonardo Barbuy’s “Diogenes.” “This is the first time that Peru has brought back so many awards from a single event,” notes Erika Chavez, head of the culture ministry’s audiovisual directorate, DAFO, who points out both national and regional films funds have ticked up since launching alongside Peru’s 2019 Film Law. “More of us have been actively participating in markets, development labs and co-production forums,” says Enid “Pinky” Campos of Chullachaki Cine, who took teen mother drama “La otra orilla” and Enrica Perez’s “Sobre el acantilado” to Mexico’s Cine Qua Non Script Lab, securing Mexican producers for both — Piano for “La otra orilla” and Martfilms for “Sobre el acantilado.” Campos is also producing “Soltera Codiciada 2” and docu-fiction hybrid “Quedate quieto,” director Joanna Lombardi’s upcoming films.

The former, co-directed with Bruno Ascenzo, is co-produced by Argentina’s Magma Cine, Lombardi’s El Arbol Azul and leading Peruvian producer Tondero. “Quedate quieto” is produced with Hernán Musaluppi’s Cimarrón Cine, with Lombardi executive producing. “It was my first time working with natural actors and a really powerful experience,” says Lombardi, who finalizes its post in