Luna's 'Ashes' Migrant Drama Finds New Life

Watermelon Pictures has secured the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights for Diego Luna's migrant drama, "Ashes." The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last spring, centers on a young woman's relocation from Mexico to Spain to reunite with her mother. Critics have lauded Anna Díaz's lead performance as the 21-year-old protagonist.

Director Diego Luna, who grew up in Mexico, stated that "Ashes" is deeply personal, motivated by the global demonization of immigrants. He aims to counter this with a story about family and the search for belonging. The film was adapted from Brenda Navarro's novel "Ceniza en la boca."

Watermelon Pictures, founded in 2024, aims to distribute films that offer complex portrayals of human experiences. The company's acquisition of "Ashes" signals its commitment to independent cinema. North American release plans will be announced later, while Netflix will distribute the film in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.