‘Under the Flags, the Sun,' About Paraguay's 35-Year Dictatorship, Acquired by Cinephil Ahead of Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
World sales outfit Cinephil has boarded 'Under the Flags, the Sun' by Paraguayan filmmaker Juanjo Pereira. The film is set to world premiere in Berlinale's Panorama strand as one of the few documentaries in this year's selection.
In 1989, the fall of Alfredo Stroessner's 35-year dictatorship in Paraguay marked the end of one of the world's longest authoritarian regimes, but also the abandonment of the audiovisual archives that had cemented its power. This footage, crafted to shape a national identity and celebrate the regime, was left to fade from memory.
More from Variety
Rima Das' Berlin-Bound Busan Winner 'Village Rockstars 2' Boarded by Diversion for World Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Supernatural Horror 'Bury the Devil,' Shot in One Take, Lands at Blue Finch for Global Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
European Film Market Chief on Shielding Sales Agents as They Face Challenges: 'I'm Really Mindful of Their Cost Sensitivity'
Decades later, a trove of unseen and long forgotten footage—as newsreels, public television broadcasts, propaganda films, and declassified documents—has been recovered from Paraguay and abroad, revealing the hidden mechanisms of power behind Stroessner's rule.
'The found Paraguayan footage reflects the appropriation of the past to indoctrinate, the construction of a national imaginary, and the cult of Stroessner,' according to a press statement.
Pereira comments: 'In primary and secondary school in Paraguay, they don't teach about that period or the many other dictatorships that occurred in the country. I made this documentary to discover how this period affected the formation of a society, my contemporaneity and how it has forged my thoughts and feelings. That is why I chose to investigate the different filmic representations that have taken place in Paraguay throughout the 20th century.'
'Juano Pereira's film is more than just a historical documentary,' Suzanne Nodale and Shoshi Korman, co-managing directors of Cinephil, state. 'It's an urgent examination of how media shapes power and collective memory. Through a creative use of archival material interwoven with a modern perspective, the film exposes mechanisms of control that still resonate today. It's a powerful work.'
'Under the Flags, the Sun' is produced by Ivana Urízar for Cine Mío, Paula Zyngierman and Leandro Listorti for MaravillaCine, Gabriela Sabaté for Sabaté Films, and Juanjo Pereira. It is co-produced by Bird Street Production and Lardux Films. Welt Film is the associate producer. Cinephil secured worldwide sales rights.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win?
What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Busan Film Fest's Asian Cinema Fund Selects 14 Projects From Record-Breaking Submissions
The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), the flagship funding arm of the Busan International Film Festival, has unveiled its 14 official selections for 2025 following a record-breaking submission period that saw applications surge 23% to 850 projects. The fund, which operates under the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), provides financial and institutional support to filmmakers from Korea and across Asia throughout script development, post-production and documentary phases. ACF-backed projects have consistently gained traction at major international film festivals, cementing the initiative's role in amplifying Asian independent cinema globally. More from Variety Busan Film Festival Confirms Pivot to Competitive Format for Landmark 30th Edition Busan International Film Festival Names Jung Hanseok as New Director Korea Box Office: 'Executioner' Claims Fifth Weekend Win as Market Slumps to Lowest Point This Year Following an extensive review process evaluating creative potential and project maturity, the fund awarded three projects to its Script Development Fund, four to the Post-Production Fund, and seven to the Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund. The selections showcase what organizers describe as 'bold visions and critical perspectives that showcase the evolving voice of contemporary Asian cinema.' The Script Development Fund, drawing from 478 submissions in its most competitive round to date, selected three projects that examine protagonists confronting and resisting their realities. Christine Haroutounian's 'Black Star Angel' (Armenia) follows a woman's struggle to escape a life defined by war, violence and trauma. Eve Baswel's 'Heaven Help Us!' (Philippines) revisits the tragic Manila Film Center collapse of the 1980s, focusing on individual narratives rather than treating victims as statistics. Li Yingtong's 'New Life' (China) offers an intimate portrait of a mother and daughter supporting each other after the death of their husband and father. Each project receives a KRW10 million ($7,300) grant plus an invitation to the Asian Project Market (APM) 2025, providing access to industry stakeholders through business meetings and networking opportunities. Li Yingtong is a graduate of the 2024 Chanel X BIFF Asia Film Academy. From 75 submissions, the Post-Production Fund selected four feature films scheduled for world premieres at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September. Korean selections include Jeong Seung-o's 'Coming of Age,' which captures diverse perspectives across generations and social classes, and Lim Junghwan's 'The Observer's Journal,' blending tension and humor in surreal circumstances. International picks feature Sanju Surendran's 'If on a Winter's Night' (India), offering layered views of Indian society through multiple couples' interwoven stories, and Chen Jianhang's 'The River that Holds Our Hands' (Hong Kong/China/Vietnam), following a man's journey reflecting on Chinese ethnic minority diaspora. The AND Fund selected seven feature-length documentaries recognized for inventive form and compelling approaches. Four Korean projects explore society, space and memory through unique lenses: Cho Hanna's 'Our Complex' reflects on Yeosu's transformation through Expo, industrial and tourism developments; Yim Jeunghae's 'Sea, Star, Woman' (Korea/France) presents a personal investigation into a mother's disappearance; Yang Dayeon's 'Sprouted Potato Lives on' revisits a demolished Seoul hillside neighborhood; and Kwon Sunhyeon's 'Weathering Architect' examines memory and temporality in Seoul's changing landscape through veteran architect Joh Sung-yong's philosophy. Asian selections include Neary Adeline Hay's 'Kampuchea' (Cambodia/France), examining intergenerational trauma from violence; Armin Septiexan's 'Oma' (Indonesia/Philippines/France/Netherlands), presenting a survivor confronting the past; and Min Min Hein's untitled Myanmar project. These documentaries will be featured in AND Talk & Share sessions at the Asian Contents & Film Market. The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs Sept. 17-26 around Busan Cinema Center, with the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market taking place Sept. 20-23 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Busan Film Fest's Asian Cinema Fund Selects 14 Projects From Record-Breaking Submissions
The Asian Cinema Fund (ACF), the flagship funding arm of the Busan International Film Festival, has unveiled its 14 official selections for 2025 following a record-breaking submission period that saw applications surge 23% to 850 projects. The fund, which operates under the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), provides financial and institutional support to filmmakers from Korea and across Asia throughout script development, post-production and documentary phases. ACF-backed projects have consistently gained traction at major international film festivals, cementing the initiative's role in amplifying Asian independent cinema globally. More from Variety Busan Film Festival Confirms Pivot to Competitive Format for Landmark 30th Edition Busan International Film Festival Names Jung Hanseok as New Director Korea Box Office: 'Executioner' Claims Fifth Weekend Win as Market Slumps to Lowest Point This Year Following an extensive review process evaluating creative potential and project maturity, the fund awarded three projects to its Script Development Fund, four to the Post-Production Fund, and seven to the Asian Network of Documentary (AND) Fund. The selections showcase what organizers describe as 'bold visions and critical perspectives that showcase the evolving voice of contemporary Asian cinema.' The Script Development Fund, drawing from 478 submissions in its most competitive round to date, selected three projects that examine protagonists confronting and resisting their realities. Christine Haroutounian's 'Black Star Angel' (Armenia) follows a woman's struggle to escape a life defined by war, violence and trauma. Eve Baswel's 'Heaven Help Us!' (Philippines) revisits the tragic Manila Film Center collapse of the 1980s, focusing on individual narratives rather than treating victims as statistics. Li Yingtong's 'New Life' (China) offers an intimate portrait of a mother and daughter supporting each other after the death of their husband and father. Each project receives a KRW10 million ($7,300) grant plus an invitation to the Asian Project Market (APM) 2025, providing access to industry stakeholders through business meetings and networking opportunities. Li Yingtong is a graduate of the 2024 Chanel X BIFF Asia Film Academy. From 75 submissions, the Post-Production Fund selected four feature films scheduled for world premieres at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September. Korean selections include Jeong Seung-o's 'Coming of Age,' which captures diverse perspectives across generations and social classes, and Lim Junghwan's 'The Observer's Journal,' blending tension and humor in surreal circumstances. International picks feature Sanju Surendran's 'If on a Winter's Night' (India), offering layered views of Indian society through multiple couples' interwoven stories, and Chen Jianhang's 'The River that Holds Our Hands' (Hong Kong/China/Vietnam), following a man's journey reflecting on Chinese ethnic minority diaspora. The AND Fund selected seven feature-length documentaries recognized for inventive form and compelling approaches. Four Korean projects explore society, space and memory through unique lenses: Cho Hanna's 'Our Complex' reflects on Yeosu's transformation through Expo, industrial and tourism developments; Yim Jeunghae's 'Sea, Star, Woman' (Korea/France) presents a personal investigation into a mother's disappearance; Yang Dayeon's 'Sprouted Potato Lives on' revisits a demolished Seoul hillside neighborhood; and Kwon Sunhyeon's 'Weathering Architect' examines memory and temporality in Seoul's changing landscape through veteran architect Joh Sung-yong's philosophy. Asian selections include Neary Adeline Hay's 'Kampuchea' (Cambodia/France), examining intergenerational trauma from violence; Armin Septiexan's 'Oma' (Indonesia/Philippines/France/Netherlands), presenting a survivor confronting the past; and Min Min Hein's untitled Myanmar project. These documentaries will be featured in AND Talk & Share sessions at the Asian Contents & Film Market. The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs Sept. 17-26 around Busan Cinema Center, with the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market taking place Sept. 20-23 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Johnny Depp Says ‘I Was a Crash Test Dummy for #MeToo' and ‘I Didn't Feel Nervous' Facing Off Against Amber Heard in Court: ‘I'll Fight Until the Bitter F—ing End'
Johnny Depp called himself a 'crash test dummy for #MeToo' in a sprawling new interview with The Sunday Times as he sets out to promote the U.K. theatrical release of his latest directorial effort, 'Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness.' Depp was referring to the allegations first leveled at him in 2016 by ex-wife Amber Heard, who accused him of domestic violence when she filed for divorce. Heard's allegations notably fed into two trials that garnered global attention. Depp brought a libel lawsuit against The Sun in 2018 after the publication referred to him as a 'wife beater.' The trial kicked off in summer 2020 and ended with the court determining that the characterization of Depp as a 'wife beater' was 'substantially true.' Later in the year, Depp exited Warner Bros.' 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise after saying the studio asked him to resign from the role in the aftermath of the trial. More from Variety How France's #MeToo Movement Is Transforming Cannes and the Country's Film Industry: 'The Conditions Under Which Work Is Produced Matter' Johnny Depp Returns to Hollywood as 'Day Drinker' Starts Filming; Lionsgate Drops First Look at Thriller Co-Starring Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline Corey Feldman Claims Johnny Depp Got Him Out of 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape': 'He Said I Was a Junkie and He Didn't Work With Junkies' A second and even more highly-publicized trial took place in the U.S. in 2022 after Depp sued Heard in 2019 for defamation over an op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post in which she referred to herself as 'a figure representing domestic abuse.' The 2022 trial was live-streamed on YouTube and became an online sensation. The jury ultimately ruled that Heard did defame Depp in the op-ed, while also ruling Depp defamed Heard in the course of fighting back against her charges. Over the course of the trial, shocking details about Depp and Heard's personal lives were revealed. 'Look, it had gone far enough,' Depp told The Sunday Times about the viral 2022 trial. 'I knew I'd have to semi-eviscerate myself. Everyone was saying, 'It'll go away!' But I can't trust that. What will go away? The fiction pawned around the fucking globe? No it won't. If I don't try to represent the truth it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of. And my kids will have to live with it. Their kids. Kids that I've met in hospitals. So the night before the trial in Virginia I didn't feel nervous. If you don't have to memorize lines, if you're just speaking the truth? Roll the dice.' Depp said he survived 'all the hit pieces, the bullshit' that accompanied the trial, adding: 'Look, none of this was going be easy, but I didn't care. I thought, 'I'll fight until the bitter fucking end.' And if I end up pumping gas? That's all right. I've done that before.' A few years after the end of the U.S. trial, Depp is now getting the chance to come back to Hollywood by starring opposite 'Blow' co-star Penelope Cruz in the Lionsgate action comedy 'Day Drinker.' He told the Times about his life: 'I have no regrets about anything — because, truly, what can we do about last week's dinner? Not a fucking thing.' 'Day Drinker' is scheduled to release in theaters sometime in 2026. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
