Chilean director Fernando Guzzoni’s latest film ‘Land of the Savages’ features Édgar Ramírez and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, exploring Chile's enslaved past.
Chilean filmmaker Fernando Guzzoni has announced that Édgar Ramírez and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart will star in his upcoming film, Land of the Savages. The project, set to be showcased at the Venice Gap-Financing Market, marks Guzzoni’s return to Venice four years after his critically acclaimed film, Blanquita, won the Silver Lion for Best Screenplay.
Set in 1850, Land of the Savages delves into Chile’s underreported history of enslavement. The film revolves around two main characters: Elías, a slave-owning businessman portrayed by Ramírez, and Francisco, a controversial abolitionist played by Pérez Biscayart. Guzzoni aims to shed light on the racial dynamics and historical injustices that have shaped Chile’s identity.
“This film is an encapsulation of how power has been constructed in Latin America,” Guzzoni states, emphasizing that the elites in the region have historically excluded minorities from power.
Guzzoni was inspired to create Land of the Savages following an influx of Haitian immigrants to Chile, which sparked notable xenophobia. His exploration of the nation’s complex past regarding Blackness revealed significant omissions from educational curricula. “Three centuries of slavery that were entirely erased from our official history,” he notes, underscoring the need to confront these issues through storytelling.
Ramírez, known for his performances in Zero Dark Thirty, was drawn to the project due to its resonance with contemporary societal issues. Guzzoni expressed confidence in Ramírez's ability to convey the complex layers of his character. Similarly, Pérez Biscayart will navigate the contradictions faced by his character, a member of the bourgeoisie confronting the threat of abolition.
The film is produced by Oso Films in collaboration with Foton Pictures. CEO Carlos E. Cuscó stated that securing financing has been challenging due to changes in the industry. “These very important films are becoming ever harder to make,” he remarked, reflecting on the difficulties faced by filmmakers today. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about finding a European co-producer and believes that the global appetite for socially relevant films is increasing.
Guzzoni hopes Land of the Savages will resonate with festival audiences while also finding a place in more mainstream settings. “We want it to exist in both auteur and popular spaces,” he asserts, demonstrating a commitment to reaching a broad audience with a politically charged message.
Land of the Savages promises to be a significant cinematic exploration of Chile’s historical narratives, aiming to provoke discussion over its past injustices. With a strong cast and an experienced director, the film aims to captivate audiences while addressing crucial social issues. As Guzzoni prepares for its unveiling at Venice, the project is set to contribute to ongoing conversations about race and identity in Latin America.
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