Nearly 25 years after his celebrated debut feature “La libertad” premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, Argentine filmmaker Lisandro Alonso is set to direct its sequel, titled “La libertad doble.”
The film will be produced by Amsterdam’s Ilse Hughan of Fortuna Films, Chile’s Fernando Bascuñán of Planta, and London-based Augusto Matte of Deptford Film, alongside Alonso’s own 4L. Co-producers include Germany’s The Match Factory, supported by the World Cinema Fund, and Luxembourg’s Les Films Fauves.
“Securing gap financing is crucial in today’s economic climate in Argentina. Despite the hurdles, we are committed to starting production by early 2025,” said the producers.
They emphasized that additional funding is essential not just financially, but also to preserve the film’s independence and creative vision.
Like its predecessor, “La libertad doble” will explore themes of freedom and personal growth two decades later. The production aims to recapture the intimate, minimalist style that defined Alonso’s earlier work while delving into the complexities of adulthood and the changing nature of freedom.
The sequel follows Misael, who still lives alone in the forest, using his axe to fell trees. His tranquil existence is disrupted when he must care for his older sister, causing the familiar rhythm of his life in the wilderness to unravel.
“Argentina has been a reliable co-production partner for our industry. The current instability in its institutions makes it essential for us to support independent voices in Latin America,” said Bascuñán and Matte, partners in the newly launched production entity, Maquina.
As preparations advance, the producers are actively seeking collaborators who share their vision and can provide the necessary support to bring the film to fruition.
“La libertad” was the first installment in a trilogy, followed by “Los muertos,” which premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2004, and concluded with “Fantasma” in 2006.
Alonso’s 2008 film “Liverpool” centers on a young sailor searching for his mother in the remote regions of Tierra del Fuego.
He later directed “Jauja” (2014), set in 19th century Argentina and Denmark, featuring Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen, which won the Fipresci award in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
Alonso’s latest work, “Eureka” (2023), blends genres and narratives, portraying the lives of indigenous communities across various regions and historical contexts, from the United States to Mexico and South America. The film’s production involved shoots in four countries and faced challenges like severe weather and pandemic delays.
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