France’s Urban Factory and Mexico’s Fidelio Films have participated in Colombian filmmaker Mauricio Leyva-Cock’s psychological thriller Los Eastman, which was selected for the Fantastic Round Robin in Cannes’ Fantastic Pavilion.
According to Urban Factory’s Frédéric Corbes, they discovered the project during a BAM producer meeting in Bogotá and were mentored by partner Florencia Gil. “This project stood out from others in its ambition and approach. It’s rare and exciting to read a true page-turner. Mauricio skillfully uses elements of horror to depict and expose a toxic class struggle, which, in my view, is at the very heart of the genre.”
Set during a devastating pandemic, the drama follows a domestic worker who is enslaved by her wealthy employer and exacts violent revenge. As bloodshed rages, she must choose between freedom and the corrupt privilege that once imprisoned her.
Leyva Kok explained that the story was inspired by real newspaper articles he and co-author Diego González Cruz discovered during the coronavirus pandemic. The article reported that a wealthy family in Bogota kidnapped a domestic worker under the pretext of following strict safety protocols to protect her. “The film starts out as a social drama and spirals into psychological thriller, horror, and eventually what we call social gore.”
The project highlights the growing international interest in the elevated Latin American genre of film, which blends political commentary, suspense, violence and social commentary.
It is significant that for Leyva Coq and his partners Sebastian Hernández, Juan Manuel Betancourt and Daniela Echeverri, who are part of the new production company Cuatro Ojos, their relationship with Urban Factory began with the BAM Producers Conference, organized by the Colombian Ministry of Culture.
“This is an example of how the program led by (promotional organization) Proimagenes and the Ministry of Culture can have a concrete impact on the development and internationalization of Colombian projects,” he said, adding: “We also signed an agreement during the Fantastic Pavilion in Cannes. It feels very meaningful to be able to do this. Morbido and[Fantastic Pavilion Executive Director]Pablo Guisa Kestinger have been important supporters of Ross Eastman and we are very grateful.” their continued support. ”
“We are also particularly excited that France is becoming such an important partner in bringing this film to life, and to be joining Urban Factory in Cannes at this stage of the process.”
It makes sense for Mexico’s Fidelio Films’ David Figueroa García and Mauro Muller to also be on board for the show, he added, given their extensive work in Mexico, including as head writers on the International Emmy Award-winning “Falco” and Prime Video’s “The Head of Joaquín Murietta.”
Hernández is the editor of Season 2 of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Laura Mora’s San Sebastian Golden Shell Award-winning novel “The Kings of the World.” Betancourt was the VFX supervisor on Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Memory and Horizonte (TIFF).
Echeverri, who was the EP on “Angel 69” (Venice Critics Weekly) and produced the Berlinale Award-winning short “Uri” and “Peloton Trueno,” which was selected for this year’s Cannes short film competition, will be the lead producer on the film.
“Ross Eastman” has participated in programs such as Sitges Funpitch and Sanfic Morbido Lab and won two awards. Last year we won 13 awards at BAM Production Meetings. This work will also be exhibited at BAM 2026 in July as one of the selected fiction projects.
The 79th Cannes Film Festival opens on May 12th and ends on May 23rd.
