Since his 2011 Cannes breakout “Miss Bala,” Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo has shot episodes of “Narcos” and “Fear The Walking Dead” and executed two extra movies, “Kokoloko” and “Vienna And The Fantomes.” Up subsequent for Naranjo? Variety experiences he’ll reunite with “Narcos” star Walter Moura for “Say Her Name,” with “Andor‘ actress Adria Arjona additionally starring.
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Based on Francisco Goldman‘s 2011 novel of the same name, “Say Her Name” chronicles Goldman’s relationship along with his spouse, Aura Estrada. The couple meets and falls in love, however after Aura dies all of the sudden in a freak accident, her fiercely loyal mom blames Goldman for her daughter’s loss of life. As Goldman works via his grief, he tries to fix ties with Aura’s household. While not confirmed, Moura possible performs Goldman, whereas Arjona performs Aura.
Goldman adapts his e-book for Naranjo’s movie, which heads into manufacturing quickly. “The film contains love and tragedy in equal parts,” mentioned Naranjo in a press assertion. “I love how Francisco and Aura’s relationship evolves from simple flirting to a meaningful universe they create together both in Mexico and in NYC, a love that changes both of their lives. Paradoxically, it is in Mexico’s idyllic playas that Aura dies tragically. The accident moves the story towards grief in the form of memory and nostalgia.”
“Say Her Name” is the most recent movie on Arjona and Moura’s busy appearing schedules. Beyond “Andor,” Arjona’s best-known work contains HBO Max‘s “Father Of The Bride.” She also co-starred alongside Jared Leto in last year’s “Morbius.” Other latest work features a small function in “Irma Vep” final yr. Up subsequent, Arjona shoots “Andor” Season 2, but in addition has two motion pictures earlier than then: Richard Linklater‘s action-comedy “Hitman” with Glen Powell, and Zoe Kravitz‘s buzzy directorial debut “Pussy Island.”
As for Moura, audiences know him greatest for his flip as notorious cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar on “Narcos.” Other latest work contains Olivier Assayas‘ Netflix film “WASP Network” from 2019, “Sergio,” one other Netflix film reverse Ana de Armas.” He stars subsequent in Alex Garland‘s “Civil War,” which can or will not be in theaters later this yr.
With its leads, anticipate “Say Her Name” to draw some competition buzz as soon as Naranjas wraps the movie. But don’t anticipate it till 2024: possibly in competitors at Cannes that yr?