Aleaf, a UK and France based distributor, has snapped up one of the most awaited world premieres, ‘Bad Beast’ (‘Mala Bestia’), in the main competition of this year’s Malaga Festival.
Checking all the right boxes to make an impact in Malaga, Bad Beast marks the feature debut of award-winning Catalan director Barbara Ferré, who studied at Barcelona’s ESCAC Film School (a powerhouse for new talent) and went on to win Best Short Film at the Gaudí Awards in Malaga and Catalonia for The Last Virgin.
A shocking and candid virginity-loss drama, this short story centers on Sarah who does whatever it takes to remain part of her group of friends, even if it means having sex, even though she’s only 13 years old.
Bad Beast (also known as Agreste), written by Last Virgin author Alberto Dexeus and Fallet, echoes some of these themes, focusing on Atanea, who lives in a dilapidated county orphanage and fears being thrown into the outside world as an adult.
The only way she can escape is to be “chosen” and adopted. When that happens, he gives Athanea a home and she gets it into her head that she will be replaced. Desperate for love and protection, she commits horrific acts in order to stay forever.
According to the report, “Bad Beast” is a coming-of-age story about a teenager’s sensual fascination and sexual self-discovery, marked by a chronicle of adolescent sensibilities, and told in a fable structure, in which Athanea lives in a villa in the forest, filled with constantly told fantasy stories that revolve, among other things, about evil beasts living in the nearby forest.
Maria Schwening, who plays Atanea, had a short professional career that included a key role in Juanma Bajo Ulloa’s El Mal. Iria del Rio, who rose to prominence in Rodrigo Sologoen’s “The New Years,” and Roger Casamayor (“Everybody Knows,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”) play the couple who adopt Atanea.
“We’re thrilled to bring Arif to Bad Beasts,” said director Barbara Farre. “This is a film about misfits living on the margins, and we hope audiences see themselves reflected in them and the universal theme of looking for love in the wrong places. Arif is the perfect partner to help us reach the audience this film will connect with.”
“It was an easy decision to work on Bad Beasts with Barbara and her team,” said Miguel Gobert, Partner at AliLeaf. “At Alief, we work with filmmakers who tell impactful stories and can help bring them to the forefront. Bad Beasts is a genre-defying tale of people struggling to find connection, and nothing brings people together like the collective experience of seeing a story you can relate to brought to the big screen.”
“Bad Beast” is a fun ride. A noble story about self-discovery, resilience, and the unexpected paths that lead us to ourselves. We are thrilled to represent this film,” added Brett Walker, president of AliLeaf.
‘Bad Beast’ is produced by Diego Betancor, Lucas Casanovas and Faré of Mimosa Productions, as well as Jofre Faré, Ander Sagardoy and Eneko Sagardoy of Barcelona-based Smendi. Lágrima Films, Kabak Films and Mamma Team are also producing.
“Bad Beast” won the coveted Screening Test Award at December’s RECLab, which screens films to the general public with no prior knowledge. Farre has also received recognition from his peers, having been headhunted by Elite co-creator Carlos Montero to direct an episode of the 2023 TV series In Love All Over Again, along with Mateo Gil (Blackthorn) and Carlota Pereda (Piggy).
It already has a strong following and shows market potential. Distributed in Spain by A Contracorriente Films, it will be released on July 31st. Firmin; 3Cat and Movistar Plus+ have pre-purchased television rights.
