How to make the public see more Peruvian cinema in 2023? This is what the producers say

The peruvian cinema receive 2023 with hope, but also caution. Sequels to blockbuster franchises, an animated film, a mix of comedy with mystery and varied documentary proposals, be it about a legendary Amazonian cumbia group or the victims of forced sterilizations in the 90s, would arrive in the coming months. Conditional, unfortunately, is what always corresponds to release dates in an industry for which each release is a disadvantaged battle.

In “commercial” releases, of the films that, whether by cast or genre, have more opportunities to be considered by the exhibitor, there is “I am innocent” by Pedro Flores Maldonado, which follows Sofía (Yiddá Eslava), a cleaning employee in a luxurious hotel that joins forces with her colleagues to avoid being the main suspect in the murder. The fourth part of the most successful saga of Peruvian cinema, “Asu Mare: Los amigos” also arrives. Directed by Carlos Alcántara, who is making his debut as a filmmaker, the film will focus on four of Cachín’s friends and his quest to recover the abandoned house where they played as children.

Regarding the tapes that received financial incentives from the Ministry of Culture, it is estimated that forty would be exhibited commercially in 2023, according to data provided by the Audiovisual, Phonography and New Media Directorate (DAFO). In fiction, some of the upcoming releases supported by the state are “Los fabulous Bardelli”, by Adrián Saba (“El limpiador”), “Viejas amigas” by Fernando Luis Villarán (“Papá youtuber”), “Reinaldo Cutipa” by Oscar Gonzales (“Marcados por el destino”) and also “La heredad de flora”, based on the life of the Peruvian-French Flora Tristán, directed by Augusto Tamayo (“El bien esquivo”). This film will also be the last where we will see scenes of the late actor Diego Bertie.

As for documentaries supported, there are “El maldito bastardo” by Marianela Vega (“Rodar contra todo”), “Laureano” by Claudia Ccapatinta, “Arde Lima” by Alberto Castro (“Invasión Drag”), “El Viaje al Origin of Kené” by Rodolfo Arrascue, “Amazonian Sound” by Adolfo Chumbe, “Write our name and follow” by Enma Albornoz and Fernando Vilchez; etc.

What’s left to do

After a pandemic that kept cinemas closed for more than a year, which also reduced the influx to the theaters (something from which we have not yet recovered), one of the main challenges of each production is to bring more audiences to the functions. One option is to target other markets, as Guadalupe Benites, director and producer of the film “Celeste and the little peccary”, filmed in 2022, told El Comercio. Her company, Curuwinsi Cine, wants to take the film to other countries in the region such as Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia.

For his part, Julián Zucchi, producer of “I am innocent”, is committed to differentiating himself from international cinema. “Producers should not compete between Peruvian films. Our biggest competition is with the blockbusters, which are obviously attractive because they have million-dollar investments. And how do you compete with a monster like ‘Avengers’? I think that by differentiating ourselves with the only thing that is ours, which is being Peruvian. You have to make stories where people feel identified, ”he said.

Back with “Celeste and little Sajino”, a film for the whole family about the protection of nature filmed in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, Benítes says that it is vital to choose the release date well. Tentatively, the tape will arrive in November, before the public spends its money on Christmas. There is also advertising, a necessary investment so that the public knows that there is a Peruvian production in theaters. “[Dicen:] ‘hey, and where did this movie appear? we didn’t know anything!’ It is not that a movie is a suffering. It is a joy, it is like the birth of a child. You do the baby shower, everyone wants to see the baby, send him gifts. It is the birth of a creation and you have to try to make it visible, ”she said.

Regarding the arrival of national films on streaming platforms, Zucchi assures that these services are clear about which markets are most attractive to the subscriber. Thus, the challenge is to convince these companies. The also actor regretted the criticism that there was to national tapes that reached these services. “When the market is still not that interesting for them and, on top of that, when they decide to risk a production, criticism rains down. And I’m not just speaking for us, I’m speaking for all the films that have been released, ”he added, referring to his two previous films, available on Netflix.

Finally, what happened with “Willaq Pirqa”, which is in its fifth week of exhibition, with more than 13,000 viewers so far. On that, Benites highlighted not only the quality of the film, but also the social media campaign it has had. “It is an example that in regions you can get good projects despite the difficulties that exist at the logistical level, space, climate, connectivity,” he said.