Tag Archives: Alvaro Longoria

Morena, Mediacrest, Estrategia Audiovisual & Fandango Join Forces on Álvaro Longoria’s Documentary”The Sleeper”

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Álvaro Longoria’s latest project is gaining momentum…

Spain’s Morena, Mediacrest and Estrategia Audiovisual are joining forces with Italy’s Fandango on The Sleeper, a thriller documentary following an alleged Caravaggio painting, directed by the 56-year-old Spanish film director, executive producer, and actor.

Álvaro LongoriaRome-based Fandango will handle international sales rights.

Based on an original story created by Morena co-founder Longoria, Mediacrest’s Gerardo Olivares and Estrategia Audiovisual’s Ricardo Fernández-Deu, the project started production at the end of 2023, and is being shot in Madrid, London and several cities in Italy.

Guided by art dealer Jorge Coll, The Sleeper tells the journey of a piece of art that goes from a house’s living room in Madrid to making headlines worldwide in light of the possibility that it could be a lost painting by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio.

“You can’t ask for a better thriller plot,” Longoria told Variety. “The world of art is fascinating and somewhat obscure. The variables that affect the artistic versus economic value of a painting are plenty and this has always fascinated me.”

The documentary marks Longoria’s return to directing. His 2012 debut, Sons of the Clouds, produced by Javier Bardem, scored a Spanish Academy Goya, while 2015’s The Propaganda Game nabbed a nomination.

Penélope Cruz Begins Filming New Drama “On The Fringe”

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Penélope Cruz is on the fringes of another acclaimed performance…

Principal photography has begun on the 47-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actress’ new drama On The Fringe (En Los Márgenes).

Penélope Cruz, On The Fringe, Juan Diego Botto

The film is directed by Juan Diego Botto, and written by Botto and Olga Rodríguez.

Currently filming on location in Madrid, the Spanish-language film stars an ensemble cast which includes Cruz, Luis Tosar, Aixa Villagrán, Adelfa Calvo, Nur Levi and Christian Checa.

Told over the course of one day, the movie will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Cell 211 star Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.

The film is a Spanish-Belgian co-production and is produced by Cruz and Álvaro Longoria for Morena Films.

The duo recently teamed up on Asghar Farhadi’s Cannes Film Festival title Everybody Knows. Co-producers are Amazon Prime Video and RTVE with the support of Ayuntamiento de Madrid.

Spanish distribution will be handled by Squirrel Media’s film distribution arm, Vértice Cine, which will release theatrically. Amazon Prime has first window rights in Spain after the theatrical bow.

The film marks actor Botto’s directorial debut after recent performances in movies including The Suicide Squad and Netflix series White Lines.

Penelope Cruz to Star in Juan Diego Botto-Directorial Debut Feature “On The Fringe”

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Penelope Cruz is onthe fringe…

The 46-year-old Oscar-winning Spanish actress will star alongside Luis Tosar in the feature film On The Fringe (En Los Margenes), which will mark the directorial debut of Argentine actor Juan Diego Botto.

Penelope Cruz

The Spanish-language film, told over the course of one day, will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.

Cruz will produce with Alvaro Longoria of Morena Films after their recent collaboration on Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows. 

Botto, who recently starred in the Netflix series White Lines and will next be seen in Warner Bros.’ Suicide Squad, is aiming to shoot the ensemble piece in Spain later this year. 

As part of their research, the filmmakers met and interviewed people who have experienced housing repossession.

Cruz said of On The Fringe: “I think Juan has written a great script and has an important story to tell. I’ve always admired his work as an actor and writer and have always known he will do great things as a director.”

Botto commented: “We wanted to reflect how an economic crisis affects personal and emotional relationships; how crises are brewing for those who live on the edge, for those who live on the fringes. We wanted to tell a story about love and solidarity.”

Longoria added: “This grabbing, emotive and optimistic thriller portrays the thousands of people who are, every day, faced with the terrible drama of losing their home.”

Pain And Glory star Cruz starred alongside Tosar in the 2015 drama Ma Ma, which was also produced by Longoria.

Cruz to Star in Julio Medem’s Upcoming Film “ma ma”

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Penelope Cruz is ready for ma ma duty…

The 39-year-old Oscar-winning actress will portray the lead role of Magda in Julio Medem upcoming film ma ma.

Penelope Cruz

It’s Cruz’s first film with the Spanish writer/director.

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star and Medem will produce the film, along with Morena Films, with Alvaro Longoria acting as executive producer.

Luis Tosar and Asier Etxeandia will round out the cast and Oscar-nominated composer Alberto Iglesias will write the music for the film, of which little else is known.

 

ma ma could start shooting in the spring, entirely in Spain.

Producers are now looking for financing, while Medem finishes the TV adaptation of his novel Aspasia and the feature biopic about designer Cristobal Balenciaga.

Medem is considered one of Spain’s best known directors with titles that include the steamy Sex and Lucia — which launched Paz Vega’s international career — and Lovers of the Arctic Circle.