Berlin-based Pluto Film has pounced on worldwide sales rights to Chilean psychological thriller “Summer War” (“Guerra de Verano”) ahead of its market debut at Cannes’ Marché du Film and its world premiere at the 25th Tribeca Film Festival in June.
The fifth feature by acclaimed director Alicia Scherson (“Play”), “Summer War” is her second adaptation of a novel by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño, “The Third Reich.” She first adapted his novel “Una Novelita Lumpen” into her 2013 drama, “Il Futuro.”
Featuring an international ensemble cast including Canada’s Dan Beirne (“Fargo”), Lux Pascal (“The Prince”), David Gaete (“Victory or Death”) and Aline Kuppenheim (“Chile ‘76”), “Summer War” is set in 1989 Chile when military dictator Augusto Pinochet is on his way out. It follows Udo Berger (played by Beirne), an obsessive, nerdy champion of Wargame a wildly popular board game. While on holiday at a Chilean seaside resort with his girlfriend Ingrid (Pascal), a fellow tourist vanishes mysteriously. While Ingrid wants nothing to do with the case, Udo stays on where he gets caught up with an enigmatic local who turns out to be a master at the board game.
“Alicia Scherson’s adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s ‘The Third Reich’ is a haunting meditation on obsession and the invisible forces governing human behavior,” said Daniela and Benjamin Cölle, managing directors at Pluto Film. “With the hypnotic Chilean coast serving as a haunting stage, this rigorous mystery is exactly the kind of elevated cinema that resonates with global festival audiences. It fits perfectly within our lineup and further cements Scherson as one of the most significant voices in contemporary Latin American cinema.”
The deal was negotiated between Daniela Cölle and producer Isabel Orellana of Araucaria Cine.
Reflecting on Pluto Film’s plans for the project, Orellana said: “They understood how to position this Bolaño adaptation not just as an arthouse film, but as a dark, cynical psychological thriller. Their strategy perfectly captures Alicia Scherson’s exploration of a man’s obsession and the dangerous blur between game and reality. I’m excited to work closely with them to bring this unique arthouse thriller to global audiences.”
A Chile-Uruguay-Argentina-Italy co-production, “Summer War” is produced by Araucaria Cine, Nadador Cine, Le Tiro and OvePossibile, in association with Estudio en Llamas (Spain), Punta Fina Studios (Mexico) and 1976 Productions (Canada).
It was originally titled “1989” when it went through San Sebastian Film Festival’s Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum. “Most of my films have displayed a more female perspective; it was a challenge to immerse myself in the world of a male, one obsessed with war games, to boot,” said Scherson at the time.
Aside from Orellana, Juan José López, Pedro Barcia and Nicolás Grosso also serve as producers. Executive producers include Gabriele Guidi, Lautaro Bolaño, Scherson, Enrique Rubio Dosamantes, Rosa Clemente, Francesca Moino and Nicolas Comeau.
The Cannes Fim Festival runs over May 12 – 23. The Tribeca Festival takes place June 3–14 in New York City.