Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro has boarded Irish film ‘Viva’ as an Executive Producer.
The film screened at the Telluride Film Festival at the weekend and earned positive reviews with The Guardian writing that “Director Paddy Breathnach finds a set of strong performances from his Cuban cast for this feelgood film set in a seedy Havana”.
Del Toro, who earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Traffic’, has formerly served as Executive Producer on ‘Escobar: Paradise Lost’ – which he also starred in.
Directed by Paddy Breathnach (‘Man About Dog’), ‘Viva’ is written by Mark O’Halloran (‘Adam and Paul’) who also stars in the film. The majority of the film was shot in Havana and there was also a short shoot in Dublin. The project is supported by the Irish Film Board, Windmill Lane Pictures, RTÉ and Treasure Entertainment. It is produced by Robert Walpole, Rebecca O'Flanagan (both of Treasure Entertainment) and Cathleen Dore.
Key crew members include DoP Cathal Watters, Production Designer Paki Smith and editor Stephen O'Connell.
Set in Cuba, ‘Viva’ tells the story of Jesus, an eighteen year old Cuban, who is lost and struggling to realize his true identity.
Aside from screening at Telluride, the film will also be presented to market buyers at Toronto next month with Mongrel Media International handling international sales while XYZ Films and Submarine will represent US and Canadian rights. ARP Selection will distribute ‘Viva’ in France.
