Habanero Film Scores Global Rights to ‘Under the Same Sun’: TIFF Premiere Exclusive!

Habanero Film Sales, based in Rio de Janeiro, has acquired the international sales rights for the Spanish-Dominican film “Under the Same Sun” (“Bajo el mismo sol”), just before its global debut at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) on September 11.

This historical drama unfolds in the remote areas of the Dominican Republic and marks the second project between director Ulises Porra and writer-producer Ulla Prida, who previously collaborated on the award-winning film “Carajita,” co-directed with Silvina Schnicer. “Under the Same Sun” is the first feature film directed solely by Porra, originally from Catalonia.

Set in the year 1819 on the island of Hispaniola, during the lead-up to the Dominican Republic’s independence movement, the plot revolves around three unlikely allies – a young Spanish aristocrat, a talented Chinese silk maker, and a deserter Haitian soldier. They join forces to establish a silk manufacturing venture in the island’s untamed heart, navigating the wild terrain, brewing colonial tensions, and their fragile mutual trust.

The acquisition agreement was facilitated by Alfredo Calviño, CEO of Habanero Film Sales, and Ulla Prida of Wooden Boat Productions.

Alfredo Calviño praised the film for its visionary direction and compelling narrative that connects historical events to contemporary global issues, expressing optimism that the film would captivate global audiences as well as attract interest from film festivals and distributors.

Ulla Prida emphasized the partnership as a chance to transcend cultural barriers and engage with a worldwide audience, confident in Habanero’s expertise to elevate the film to international prominence.

Producer Alexandra Santana highlighted the film’s diverse cultural representation, both in its casting and production, underscoring the importance of reaching an audience as varied as its characters.

The filming process was met with significant challenges, starting with a severe storm that struck the Dominican Republic just two days before filming was set to commence, flooding their production office and disrupting preparations across Santo Domingo. The crew, performing final scene tests across various locations, was unexpectedly caught in rapidly rising river waters, forcing them to evacuate swiftly.

Despite these setbacks, including persistent rain and muddy conditions that made access to the remote film site difficult, the crew developed a stronger bond. The isolation fostered a tight-knit community atmosphere, reminiscent of a grown-up summer camp, where crew members would relax together after shoots and contribute across different roles, creating a unique and collaborative environment.

Among the cast, newcomer Valentina Shen Wu from the Dominican Republic stars as Mei, the Chinese silk artisan. Shen Wu, although initially hesitant, delivered an outstanding performance on her very first take, according to Prida.

The film, under Porra’s direction and Sebastián Cabrera’s evocative cinematography, vividly portrays the colonial era in the Caribbean. The narrative delves into the internal struggles and character developments in response to external pressures, a thematic continuation from Prida’s earlier work on “Carajita.”

The film is a collaboration between multiple producers and production companies, including Wooden Boat Productions, Alta Isla Films, Barcelona’s Fasten Films, and Cobalt Films.

The 50th edition of the Toronto Film Festival, where the film is set to premiere, runs from September 4 to September 14.