‘La Lucha,’ Set in the World of Wrestling, Rolls in the Canary Islands as Homegrown Cinema Blooms (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comEl Viaje Films, has moved into production on “La Lucha,” a feature film set against the background of lucha canaria wrestling, a contact sport dating back to ancient times. “La Lucha” marks the latest title from Tenerife-based El Viaje Films, behind 2015 international breakout “Dead Slow Ahead,” “Undergrowth” which took two prizes at this month’s Malaga Festival, the standout 2021 “They Carry Death,” selected for Venice’s Critics Week, as well as serving as the Spanish producer on Chile’s Oscar entry “White on White,” a 2019 Venice Horizons best film and director entry.
Just a decade back, “La Lucha’s” shoot would have been notable for its very existence. Now it forms part of a domestic Canary Islands film scene which, though years in its build, is suddenly seeming to be coming into focus, a flurry of films breaking out from its archipelago base to earn praise and prizes at festivals, as Canarian cinema consolidates as an exciting growth axis in Spanish filmmaking.
That in turn is energizing. “It is extremely exciting to be part of this idea of construction of a cinematographic imagination in the Canary Islands, it hasn’t really existed before,” said Ayalón. “I think it’s the most beautiful thing we are doing right now.
It is what moves all of us at El Viaje Films; we enjoy this task, this constant reflection on what we are creating,” he added. Canary Island Cinema: Ambition and Sophistication “La Lucha” captures the ambition and sophistication of current Canary Islands film production, as well as its talent and financing structure.
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