Sideral Launches Production of Juan Diego Botto’s ‘Los Relatos’
Spanish production company Sideral has announced its plans to produce and distribute the highly anticipated drama “Los Relatos,” directed by Miguel del Arco. Featuring a notable cast, including Juan Diego Botto, Marta Etura, and Ainara Elejalde, the film examines the deep emotional scars left by femicide. Sideral, which debuted at the Berlinale in 2023, will oversee both international sales and distribution within Spain.
Principal photography for “Los Relatos” is set to commence in September 2024. The film is a collaboration with Aquí y Allí Films, who are also producing. Aiming for a release in late 2025, the narrative follows Pablo, portrayed by Botto, who returns to his hometown after serving time for the murder of his wife. The storyline challenges audiences to grapple with the question of whether Pablo deserves a second chance, especially when his victim will never have that opportunity.
Del Arco expressed the intensity of creating the script, stating, “Writing this script has kept me on a constant edge, forcing me to confront deep contradictions. But the act of empathy is precisely what makes us human.” He emphasized the importance of understanding another’s perspective to foster societal progress.
Roberto Butragueño, Sideral’s co-founder, affirmed his trust in Del Arco and the cast, describing “Los Relatos” as “a bold, necessary project, full of sensitivity.” The film delves into the complex moral landscape that surfaces when a murderer confronts his past, rather than disappearing into obscurity. It addresses the needs of victims and their families in reclaiming dignity following violence, exploring themes of reintegration, justice, forgiveness, and the quest for redemption.
Pedro Hernández from Aquí y Allí Films highlighted the film’s potential to provoke thought, saying, “What’s truly valuable about this film is the number of questions it raises. We would love for ‘Los Relatos’ to be an accessible proposal for audiences, without giving up on exploring the human issues that generate contradictions, doubts, and even rejection.”
Founded by Butragueño of Elamedia Estudios, Sideral made an impactful entry into the industry with its first feature project, “Cheaper Than Stealing,” showcased at the Berlinale Co-Production Market two years ago. The company launched with a robust slate of 22 titles in various stages of production, distribution, or sales. Among these are Javier Rebollo’s “In the Sultan’s Bedchamber” and “I Have Electric Dreams,” from Costa Rican filmmaker Valeria Maurel, a multiple award winner at the Locarno Film Festival.
Sideral’s distribution unit, led by Maria Oliva, has an exciting lineup of high-profile films scheduled for release. This includes Michel Franco’s “Dreams,” featuring Jessica Chastain, and “The Chronology of Water,” starring Imogen Poots, Thora Birch, and Jim Belushi. Other projects currently in production by Sideral include Anxos Fazàns’s “Broken Lines” (“Las líneas discontinuas”), Manuel Gómez Pereira’s “The Dinner” (“La Cena”), and Igor Legarreta’s “Blind Ants” (“Las ciegas hormigas”).
As Sideral embarks on this significant project, the film industry eagerly anticipates how “Los Relatos” will address challenging themes while inviting audiences to engage in critical conversations surrounding femicide and its lasting impact.
