Patra Spanou Film, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has secured global sales rights for “The Newcomers” (“Los nuevos”), the latest film by Mexican director Rodrigo Plá, known for “The Other Tom.” This marks Plá’s first foray into films aimed at children.
Patra Spanou mentioned that she acquired the rights shortly after the film’s world premiere at Locarno’s Kids Screenings. “I have been following Rodrigo Plá’s work for a while and am thrilled to begin our first collaboration with ‘The Newcomers,'” she told Variety.
“With his latest film, he succeeds in addressing complex topics like forced displacement, migration, and environmental exploitation in a way that is accessible to children, creating a film about friendship and adventure that is enjoyable for the whole family.”
Shot in the picturesque Tabasco region of Mexico by cinematographer Ángel Jara Taboada, “The Newcomers” follows the story of three young friends led by Mateo, who occasionally breaks the fourth wall to narrate their journey. Tiana and her family have taken refuge in the village of Mateo and his brother Tomas, but the pollution they escaped from has also reached this new village. Together with Tiana’s pet dog Nube, they embark on a quest to discover the source of the river’s contamination.
The Newcomers
Plá’s sixth feature is based on the book “They Came with the Wind” (“Llegaron con el viento”) by his frequent collaborator, screenwriter and wife, Laura Santullo.
“Indeed, it’s our first film for children, and it has been a challenge. This film aims to introduce complex issues like migration and the importance of protecting water from mining greed to children through adventure. The project required experimenting with new narrative tools to engage a young audience while maintaining our long-standing focus on social justice and critical thinking about the world around us,” Plá explained to Variety.
He continued: “While we’ve included child characters in our films before, this is the first time we’ve given a child’s perspective a voice. In ‘The Newcomers,’ Mateo serves as both the protagonist and the narrator. The film depicts his memories of a significant year when refugees came to his town, a year filled with growth and experiences he views as epic. The film reflects this through narrative elements that suggest a subjective reconstruction of events rather than a factual recounting.”
The filmmaking duo is currently developing three new projects: a musical, a dystopian drama, and a black-comedy thriller. “We’ll see which one gets funding first. As you can see, we enjoy exploring new territories. ‘Los nuevos’ is a clear example of that,” Plá said.
Plá, who gained recognition with the 2007 social thriller “The Zone,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, has explored various genres. “But they all share recurring themes, such as the tension between public and private spheres or a focus on social processes, always conveyed through the personal experiences of the protagonists,” he noted.
“But really, I think the films one makes change along with oneself; they largely reflect the concerns or interests of each stage of life.”
“The Newcomers” is produced by Buenaventura Cine in collaboration with Mr. Miyagi Films. The producing team includes Gabriela Maldonado, Plá, Santullo, Ángeles Hernández, and David Matamoros.
Patra Spanou Film also represented Diego Llorente’s “How the Lights Get In” (also known as “Dying Bird”), which was previewed at this year’s Locarno Spanish Film Previews on August 9. The film impressed audiences with its portrayal of a younger generation forming deep emotional connections beyond traditional relationships. Lara González Lobo at Failo Cine in Gijón, northern Spain, produces the film alongside Báltico (Spain) and Uruguay’s tarkiofilm.
The 79th Locarno Film Festival began on August 5 and concludes on August 15.
John Hopewell contributed to this article.
The Newcomers
