By Variety | Created at 2025-03-13 13:17:15 | Updated at 2025-03-13 16:25:34
4 hours ago
Prominent Mexican production company Apapacho Films has officially boarded the highly anticipated film “Her Ocean” (“El Mar la Mar”). Directed by Julián Amaru Estrada, this poignant coming-of-age drama explores themes of identity, family and the complexities of Latin American society, specifically highlighting the struggles of LGBTQ+ youth.
“Her Ocean” tells the story of Ray, a gay teenage fisherman who embarks on a journey to find his mother in the Peruvian jungle, armed with little more than a photo of her in a bar in Iquitos. As he ventures into the unknown, he is forced to confront his motivations for seeking her and the harsh realities of his own life. The emotional depth of the story, coupled with a visually stunning approach, promises to attract buyers globally with its raw honesty and emotional resonance.
The film, which will pitch at the Malaga Festival’s MAFIZ co-production industry sidebar, is a three-country co-production between Final Abierto (Peru), Solita Films (Spain) and now Apapacho Films (Mexico). In addition to directing, Amaru co-writes with Christopher Vazquez.
According to Apapacho Films producer Rubén Rojo Aura, “In the global context we are living in, co-productions between Latin American countries have become more important than ever; not only to strengthen the industry in the region, but also to give visibility to authentic and diverse narratives that stand out from hegemonic visions and markets.”
As a project, the film has already garnered significant attention, winning prestigious awards such as Peru’s National Production Fund and the Programa Ibermedia Co-development Fund in 2024. Additionally, the project was recognized by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), which awarded it the Latino Lens Workshop prize.
Currently in advanced development, “Her Ocean” is scheduled to shoot in February and March of next year.
Rojo Aura said Apapacho wanted to be involved with “Her Ocean” not only for its unique narrative but also for its dynamic, dreamlike aesthetic. “The story of Ray’s coming-of-age journey, particularly within the context of Latin America’s often conservative views on LGBTQ+ issues, is essential and necessary,” Rojo Aura told Variety. “It’s a film that speaks to the universal need for acceptance and the importance of telling diverse, authentic stories.”
“‘Her Ocean’ is going to be a visually stunning, dynamic and dreamy movie,” added Final Abierto producer María Paz Barragan, who is also directing the Malaga-featured project “Tenants,” which previously impressed at Ventana Sur. “Ray’s LGTBIQ coming of age story deserves to be told and is necessary and relevant, especially when speaking about Latin America’s idiosyncrasy, which is still very conservative and marginalizes minorities, just as the town folks reject Ray.”
