Alief, a U.K.-French film company, has recently acquired the worldwide sales rights to “Luna Rosa: The 7th Ascension of Atabey,” the fourth feature film by Puerto Rican artist Omar RodrĂguez-LĂłpez, who is also known as the frontman for the Grammy-winning band, The Mars Volta.
Described as his most cohesive and fully narrative film to date, Miguel Angel Govea, co-partner at Alief, expressed his excitement for the visually and aurally stunning work that RodrĂguez-LĂłpez has created. “Omar pulls a magic trick with his visually and aurally stunning film, managing to pull us in with striking images,” Govea shared with Variety.
Set in Borinquen, the Indigenous TaĂno name for Puerto Rico, “Luna Rosa” blends elements of sci-fi and dystopian genres. The story follows Zurâna, portrayed by Flora Sylvestre, as she embarks on a journey into enemy territories controlled by American colonial forces in search of her missing brother. Through this narrative, RodrĂguez-LĂłpez explores the enduring effects of American imperialism, drawing inspiration from classic Latin American cinema and cult B-movies to create a pulsating world filled with intricate rituals, mind control, and menacing holograms.
Alief has exclusively shared a teaser of the film with Variety and has already received offers from various countries including Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and the U.K. The film is set to premiere at SXSW London on June 6 as part of its official selection.
Shot in black and white in Mexico, “Luna Rosa” features a score composed by RodrĂguez-LĂłpez and John Frusciante, the guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers who has collaborated with The Mars Volta in the past. Ester Bernal, Head of Distribution at Piano Mexico, praised the film as one of the most forward-thinking approaches to Latin American science fiction, highlighting its fantasy elements and powerful social critique.
The production of “Luna Rosa” was financed by Clouds Hill Films from Germany, a part of the Clouds Hill Group, which also manages The Mars Volta’s music label. The film was produced by RodrĂguez-LĂłpez’s Telesterion Inc., along with Kintsugi Cine, Peliculas Extrañas, and MalaCOSA Cine from Mexico.
In addition to “Luna Rosa,” RodrĂguez-LĂłpez is currently working on his fifth feature film, a Western set in Texas. Alief’s Cannes slate includes a diverse range of films from around the world, showcasing their commitment to unique and engaging storytelling in the global film market.
