The sale of the Rio de Janeiro-based Habanero film took away the world sales rights for the Spanish Dominican co-produced “Under the Same Sun” (Bajoel Mismosol) prior to the world premiere of the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) on September 11th.
The drama, set in the remote parts of the Dominican Republic, is the second collaboration between director Uris Pola, who co-in charge of Pola’s high-winning photo “Karageta,” and writer-producer Ura Purida. This is the solo debut feature of a Catalan-born filmmaker.
Hispaniola in 1819 focuses on unexpected trioes, young Spanish aristocrats, skilled Chinese silk craftsmen, and Haitian soldiers who abandoned his posts just before the Dominican Republic sought independence. Together, they strive to build silk factories deep within the island’s sturdy interiors, facing untouched landscapes, simmering colonial conflicts and becoming a delicate thread of trust that unites them.
The deal was negotiated between Habanero Film Sales CEO Alfredo Calviño and Wooden Boat Productions Prida.
“We were immediately struck by Uris Pola’s bold vision and the rich storytelling of films that speak to both the realities of both past and today’s world,” said Calvigno, who expressed confidence that the “strong and ambitious work” would resonate globally among audiences, programmers and distributors.
“More than just a contract, we believe that this alliance has the opportunity to build bridges across cultures and connect with new audiences. With Habanero’s experience and vision, we are confident that the film will reach a truly global stage.”
“This agreement with the sale of Habanero is a key step in our journey under the same sun.” This is a Dominican film directed by a Spanish filmmaker and brought to life by a diverse cast with Haitian, Asian and Latin American roots.
According to Preda, filming is not without challenges. Filming began in the northwest region of Santiago Rodriguez just two days before filming began. This powerfully raided the Dominican Republic, flooding the first floor of the production office and halted many of Santo Domingo. The crew, spread across different locations for the final test, were caught off guard. One group, which includes multiple actors and Purida, got deeper waists in the river test canoe due to the opening scene of the film, when the water began to rise rapidly. They were soon forced to abandon the site as the floods intensified.
David Castillo and Jean Jean (r) in ‘Same the Same sun’, Credit: Sebastián Cabrera
From that point on, they faced constant challenges: merciless rain, thick mud, and difficult access to remote photography sites deep within the underdeveloped parts of the island. But fortunately, these challenges brought the team closer.
“Far from the city, we lived and worked in line every day. After filming, we gathered in a nearby town for dinner. It created a sense of community – almost like an adult summer camp.
Their leads include Dominican rookie Valentina Shen Wu. He had to persuade several times to take on the role of May, the Chinese silk maker. “She nailed her part on her first attempt,” Purida said.
Valentina Shen Wu Credit in “Under the Same Sun”: Sebastian Cabrera
Shen Wu plays the opposite side of Jean Jean, best known for his role in “The Woodpecker” and for Spain’s David Castillo (“Something is to be made to happen”), as Lazarus, a Spanish nobleman.
Under Pola’s direction and through the pictorial cinematography of Sebastian Cabrera, the film recalls a vivid and unforgettable portrait of the colonial Caribbean.
Reflecting her story throughline, Purida said: “In “Karajita”, the young girl Sarah has a dark secret that she holds to herself, and we “watch her slowly eats her under the same sun. What surface of those moments of pressure.” She is currently developing the upcoming queer drama “Black Sheep, White Sheep.”
The film is produced by Purida, Pola and Santana, behind Gabriel Kaplan, who won producer credits for the same film as Barcelona-based Fasten Films co-producer Adrià Monés, “Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell.”
Prida and Santana are executive producers along with Nicole Kinons Butler, Ariadna Rodriguez and Claudia Calvinho.
The production companies behind it are wooden boat productions, Altaira films, fastening films, and cobalt films.
The 50th Toronto Film Festival began on September 4th and was rapped on September 14th.
