Chilean Musical 'The Wave' Sparks Uprising

Chilean director Sebastián Lelio's musical film, 'The Wave' (La Ola), inspired by the 2018 feminist civil disobedience movement in Chile, has been acquired for North American distribution. This marks Lelio's return to filmmaking in his native Chile since his Oscar-winning 'A Fantastic Woman.' The narrative follows a music student who becomes a central figure in a university campus uprising, using protest songs and dances to challenge societal norms.

The film features Daniela López in her screen debut as the lead, with Lola Bravo, Avril Aurora, and Paulina Cortés in supporting roles. The musical score, composed by Matthew Herbert, is complemented by choreography from Ryan Heffington. Original compositions were a collaborative effort by 17 female Chilean musicians, including prominent artists like Ana Tijoux.

'The Wave' made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival and recently garnered the award for Best International Feature at the NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival. Director Lelio expressed gratitude for the distribution deal, highlighting the film's blend of politics and artistic expression, and its potential to resonate with audiences who appreciate musical cinema. The film is a co-production by Fabula Productions, Fremantle, and Participant.