Uruguay’s Cimarrón Cine, which joined Mediapro Studio in 2023, will partner with Bolivian filmmaker Martin Boulocq on his latest project, The Strange Woman (La Mujer Extraña), featured in the upcoming San Sebastian Film Festival Co-Production Forum.
This collaboration marks their second engagement with Boulocq, following their involvement in the co-production of The Visitor (El Visitante) in 2022, a film that earned the Best Screenplay award at Tribeca and explored the struggles of an ex-convict seeking redemption and reconnecting with his daughter.
Cimarrón Cine, a leading Uruguayan production company, has been involved in high-profile projects including the Oscar-nominated Society of the Snow and the acclaimed series Iosi, the Regretful Spy on Prime Video, alongside Oficina Burman.
The Strange Woman, produced by Boulocq and Andrea Camponovo’s CQ Films, is set against a future Bolivia embroiled in a lithium conflict, with a Quechua teenager opting to become a surrogate to escape poverty. Her choice ignites family tensions despite a backdrop of societal upheaval.
Boulocq explained, “Bolivia has historically been targeted for its rich natural resources. Today, lithium’s global demand puts Bolivia in the spotlight as it holds the world’s largest reserves.”
He aims to delve into the influence of sociopolitical contexts on familial relationships and emotional bonds, blending family drama with science fiction from a Southern perspective. The film will explore the parallels between land exploitation and the exploitation of bodies, offering a meditation on resistance and global impacts on personal lives.
The project has benefited from participation in the Open Doors Script Consultancy and Br Lab, and received support from Ibermedia’s co-production fund. Camponovo emphasized the importance of showcasing stories from Bolivia featuring female protagonists and honoring Indigenous roots, praising Boulocq’s sensitivity and honesty.
Founded in 2009, CQ Films has seen its work featured at major festivals and in theaters and museums across Latin America, Europe, and North America. Boulocq’s current project, Criminal Body, in post-production, was highlighted at Cannes Doc’s Marché du Film and is part of the WIP program at Sanfic Industria, running from August 18-25.