By Anna Marie de la Fuente
Spain’s Latido Films has pounced on the worldwide sales rights to family drama “Peréz Rodríguez,” which market debuts at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF).
Produced by the Dominican Republic’s Lantica Studios, the debut feature of writer-director Humberto Tavárez is an incisive yet heartfelt portrait of a Dominican family caught in the grip of generational conflict.
When tragedy strikes, the return of the patriarch’s illegitimate son fractures their carefully maintained facade, revealing long-suppressed tensions and hypocrisies. Told over the course of three celebratory gatherings, the film casts a wry look at Dominican identity, middle-class idiosyncrasies and the fragile threads that bind a family together.
“‘Peréz Rodríguez’ is an extraordinary film that dissects, like few others, the contradictions inherent among wealthy families in Latin America,” said Latido’s Antonio Saura, who hailed the pic’s acting, directing and surprise ending, in particular.
“The film keeps your attention throughout and delivers a brilliant ending that will leave no one untouched,” he said, adding: “Latido is really proud and happy about this new collaboration with Lantica Studios, and we thank Rafael and the Lantica team for entrusting us with this wonderful movie.”
The family drama participated in Spain’s Malaga Film Festival last March. Previous Latido pickups of Lantica Studios’ productions include José María Cabral’s “Hotel Coppelia,” winner of the Knight Marimbas Award in Miami’s film fest, Leticia Tonos’ “Aire,” which competed in Rotterdam, and “Holy Beasts” by Israel Cardenas and Laura Amelia Guzman, winner of the Teddy Award at the Berlinale’s Panorama sidebar.
“Hotel Coppelia” is set to have its European premiere at the Barcelona-Sant Jordi (BCN) film fest next year.
“’Pérez Rodríguez’ ran for 13 weeks in local cinemas and scored impressive post-pandemic box office numbers,” said Rafael Muñoz, VP of production, Lantica Studios.
“It’s a sharp satire that holds a mirror to society and to the sometimes toxic dynamics within a family. We feel immense pride in supporting Humberto’s vision and singular voice and with our friends at Latido by our side, we are eager to see ‘Pérez Rodríguez’ connect with audiences everywhere,” he noted.
Lantica Studios has been a major driving force in the upsurge of local filmmaking in the Caribbean. For over 10 years, it has produced about two to three original films each year. The company also runs the country’s large horizon water tank facility. Once called the Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios, it was renamed Lantica Studios in May 2024 after Pinewood Studios sold its minority share to Dominican-owned company Lantica Media.
The country’s competitive tax incentives, a transferable tax credit equivalent to 25% of all qualified expenses incurred in the Dominican Republic and an 18% VAT exemption on goods and services, have spurred local production and attracted a host of high-profile international projects.
