Sideral, a production-distribution-sales venture hailing from Madrid and unveiled by Elamedia Estudios in the early months of this year, has joined forces with the Uruguayan project “Capital Variable,” presented at Ventana Sur-Blood Window, marking the directorial debut of Marco Caltieri from Uruguay.
Roberto Butragueño, the CEO of Elamedia Studios, will spearhead the production of this thrilling dark comedy. Paola Botrán from Sideral and Clara Charlo from To Je To in Uruguay will serve as executive producers, contributing their expertise to the project.
Sideral is set to spearhead the global sales initiatives for “Capital Variable,” which was introduced at the Blood Window genre forum during Ventana Sur—an eminent annual film and TV market held in Buenos Aires, co-organized by the Cannes Festival and Marché du Film, alongside Argentina’s INCAA film institute.
The narrative of “Capital Variable” unfolds around Toni, a young economist who becomes part of a consultancy firm specializing in assisting large corporations in managing their workforce. Toni, along with a group of managers, receives an invitation from Amanda, a representative of a multi-million-dollar factory, to attend a day-long meeting on an island. Although the stated purpose is to explore potential collaborations related to the factory’s new activities, an ominous undercurrent pervades the gathering.
Caltieri draws inspiration from his father’s 25-year tenure at a factory to shape the worldview depicted in the film. A poignant quote from his father resonates in the script, highlighting the stark contrast between the factory floor and the pristine offices dubbed “The Cruise of Love.” This symbolic term captures the divide between the white-collar and blue-collar workers, emphasizing societal disparities.
Reflecting on the economic shifts of the 1990s, Caltieri recounts his father’s choice to reject lucrative severance packages offered by the company in exchange for independence as a contractor. Despite the allure, the decision to forgo medical benefits, pension plans, and job security proved wise, as many friends who opted for the packages found themselves in dire straits within the slums due to the industrial sector’s significant decline.
“Capital Variable” stands at an advanced stage of development, having secured a spot in the Ibermedia Co-Development Fund and the Uruguayan Audiovisual Program – Development. The project showcased its potential at prestigious events, such as the Malaga Film Festival, Iberseries – Sony Pictures Pitching sessions in 2022, and this year’s AFM Pitch and Blood Window – Spanish Showcase.
Marco Caltieri, the co-founder and audiovisual director of Cholofilms production company, possesses a diverse artistic background as an illustrator and cartoonist. Beyond filmmaking, he has delved into children’s literature and television, having authored books and directed series like “The Story of Never Beginning” and “Metro de Montevideo,” respectively.
Ventana Sur, in its 15th edition, commenced on Nov. 27 and is scheduled to conclude on Dec. 1, providing a platform for groundbreaking projects like “Capital Variable” to make their mark on the global stage.
