Berlin-based Pluto Film has secured the worldwide sales rights to the Chilean psychological thriller “Summer War” (“Guerra de Verano”), just in time for its market debut at the Cannes’ Marché du Film and its world premiere at the 25th Tribeca Film Festival in June.
Directed by the acclaimed Alicia Scherson (“Play”), “Summer War” marks her fifth feature and her second adaptation of a novel by the renowned Chilean author Roberto Bolaño, “The Third Reich.” Her previous adaptation was the 2013 drama “Il Futuro,” based on Bolaño’s “Una Novelita Lumpen.”
Boasting an international cast including Canada’s Dan Beirne (“Fargo”), Lux Pascal (“The Prince”), David Gaete (“Victory or Death”), and Aline Kuppenheim (“Chile ‘76”), “Summer War” is set against the backdrop of 1989 Chile as military dictator Augusto Pinochet’s regime is ending. The story follows Udo Berger (portrayed by Beirne), a nerdy, obsessive champion of the popular board game Wargame. On holiday at a Chilean seaside resort with his girlfriend Ingrid (played by Pascal), a fellow tourist mysteriously disappears. While Ingrid is uninterested in the case, Udo becomes entangled with an enigmatic local who is a master of the board game.
“Alicia Scherson’s adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s ‘The Third Reich’ is a haunting meditation on obsession and the invisible forces governing human behavior,” remarked Daniela and Benjamin Cölle, managing directors at Pluto Film. “With the hypnotic Chilean coast serving as a haunting stage, this rigorous mystery is exactly the kind of elevated cinema that resonates with global festival audiences. It fits perfectly within our lineup and further cements Scherson as one of the most significant voices in contemporary Latin American cinema.”
The agreement was reached between Daniela Cölle and producer Isabel Orellana of Araucaria Cine.
Commenting on Pluto Film’s approach, Orellana stated: “They understood how to position this Bolaño adaptation not just as an arthouse film, but as a dark, cynical psychological thriller. Their strategy perfectly captures Alicia Scherson’s exploration of a man’s obsession and the dangerous blur between game and reality. I’m excited to work closely with them to bring this unique arthouse thriller to global audiences.”
A collaborative effort between Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Italy, “Summer War” is produced by Araucaria Cine, Nadador Cine, Le Tiro, and OvePossibile, in partnership with Estudio en Llamas (Spain), Punta Fina Studios (Mexico), and 1976 Productions (Canada).
Initially titled “1989” during its presentation at the San Sebastian Film Festival’s Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, Scherson noted, “Most of my films have displayed a more female perspective; it was a challenge to immerse myself in the world of a male, one obsessed with war games, to boot.”
In addition to Orellana, the film’s producers include Juan José López, Pedro Barcia, and Nicolás Grosso. Executive producers are Gabriele Guidi, Lautaro Bolaño, Scherson, Enrique Rubio Dosamantes, Rosa Clemente, Francesca Moino, and Nicolas Comeau.
The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 12 to 23, while the Tribeca Festival takes place from June 3 to 14 in New York City.
