ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay - Paraguay is stepping into the realm of psychological horror and gothic suspense with the commencement of filming for its new thriller, 'Confined'. Known under the Spanish title 'La casa angosta' (The Narrow House), the film is set to captivate international audiences with its English title, 'Confined'.
Production officially began on March 24th in Asunción, helmed by a dynamic co-directing duo: Armando Aquino, known for 'Leal 2' and 'Mborayhu Porã', and Hernán Moyano, acclaimed for his work on genre films such as 'The Red Book Ritual 2', 'Cold Sweat', and 'Masacre Tonight'. This collaboration signals a promising wave for Paraguayan genre cinema, showcasing the talents of local artists and technicians.
'Confined' boasts a stellar cast of Paraguayan actors, including Lizzi Gómez, Dilo Romero, Natalia Cálcena, Matías Miranda, Lia Love, Alberto Hará, and Alejandra Cabral Vallinotti.
The eerie tale is brought to life under the guidance of executive producers Gaspar Saldívar and Bruno Zucolillo, who have previously worked on productions like 'Luna de Cigarras' and 'El Supremo Manuscrito'. The film is a co-production of Janus Media SA and Zuma Productions, with Chaco Films serving as a collaborating production company. Aiming for international recognition, the Argentine-New Zealander distribution company Black Mandala Films, renowned for its presence at prestigious festivals like SITGES, TIFF, and BIFAN, will handle post-production and distribution.
'Confined' plunges into the unsettling story of Salma, a young woman trapped in a precarious relationship. Driven by financial hardship, she takes on the task of caring for a terminally ill elderly man in a baroque mansion. The seemingly grand estate soon transforms into a labyrinth of dark secrets and chilling supernatural occurrences, pushing Salma to the brink of her sanity.
The original screenplay by Hernán Moyano promises to immerse viewers in an oppressive and suspenseful atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from critically acclaimed films like 'Hereditary' and 'The Others', 'Confined' aims to explore horror through the psychological unraveling of its characters rather than relying solely on jump scares.
Director Armando Aquino shared his perspective on this approach, stating, "This project is truly challenging because it explores horror through psychological depth rather than mere scares. This allows us to experiment with diverse narrative techniques and build a unique and aesthetic worldview. It will be a very exciting endeavor."
Co-director Hernán Moyano emphasized the potential for genre film development within the Paraguayan film industry, noting, "I am very happy to participate in such an ambitious project with talented local artists and technicians. Paraguay's high standards and environment for film production show the potential to attract international productions and develop our own projects that cross borders."
'Confined' is anticipated to wrap filming in the second half of 2025. Following post-production, the film is expected to embark on a journey through international film festivals before its theatrical release in Paraguay. This production marks a significant step for Paraguayan cinema as it ventures further into the captivating world of genre filmmaking, aiming to leave a lasting impression on the global stage.
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