SXSW London makes his debut alief Pickup, Puerto Rican SCI FI ‘Luna Rosa’
UK-Franse Filmbedrijf Alief has designated the global sales rights on “Luna Rosa: the 7th Ascension of Atabey”, the fourth function by Puerto Rican Multi-Hyphenaat Omar Rodríguez-López, Frontman for Grammy-Winning Band, the Mars Volta.
“This is his most cohesive, fully narrative film so far,” Alerief said co-partner Miguel Angel Govea Variety, Add: “Omar pulls a magic trick with its visual and auralally stunning film and manages to withdraw us with striking images.”
A report of sci-fi and dystopian genres, “Luna Rosa” is set in BorinquenThe native Taíno name for Puerto Rico. It follows Zur’na (played by Flora Sylvestre), who ventures into enemy areas that are controlled by American colonial troops looking for her missing brother. During her journey, Rodríguez-López criticizes the lasting effects of American imperialism, based on influences of the classical Latin American cinema and cult B films. The result is a pulsating world filled with complicated rituals, mind control and threatening holograms.
Alief has shared his teaser in exclusivity with Variety. The company already plays offers from Spain, Colombia, Argentina and the UK, while the Mexico piano is spreading it in Mexico.
SXSW London organizes the British premiere of the film on 6 June as part of the official selection. “The film is exactly the kind of intersection of sensitivities and art forms that we want to defend in the inaugural SXSW London,” said the festival’s head, Anna Bogutskaya.
PIC was shot in black and white in Mexico and has a score composed by Rodríguez-López and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist John Frusciant, who contributed to some albums from the Mars Volta.
Piano Mexico’s distribution management, Ester Bernal greeted “Luna Rosa” as “one of the most progressive approaches of Latin American science fiction.”
“Because of the vision of Omar Rodríguez López, the film delivers an unparalleled fantasy while unfolding a sharp and powerful social criticism,” she said, adding that distribution plans include art house circuit screens, supplemented with special screening in alternative spaces outside the traditional exhibition.
The German-Puerto Rican-Mexican production was funded by the German Clouds Hill films, part of the Clouds Hill Group, including the music label that the Mars Volta treats.
Rodríguez-López’s Telesterion Inc. And Kintsugi Cine in Mexico, Peliculas Extrañas, Malacosa Cine are also producers.
Rodríguez-López, himself the subject of a documentary, “Omar and Cedric: If This over Ever Right” by Nicolas Jack Davies, is currently shooting his fifth feature film in Texas, this time a western.
Alief’s Cannes Slate Includes Polish Dystopian Drama “Glorious Summer” (SXSW 2025), Indian Folk Horror Pic “Bokshi” (IFFR 2025), Canadian-Korean Fipresci PrizeWinner “Mongrels” (Tallinn-FISTMAM4), Colomber-Fiann-FISTMAM44444 “Horizonte” (TIFF 2024), German-British thriller “Lonely Musketeer” and BBC films dramatic thriller “Edge of Summer”.
