Receta No Incluida, distributed by Spanglish Movies and produced by Rojo Chiringa and Filmes Casa (both from Puerto Rico) together with Aberración Óptica (Mexico), is the first Caribbean feature film to debut as the official selection in the Global Premier category of the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW), which takes place in Austin, Texas, next Friday, March 11th.
Written and starring by Marietere Vélez Negrón, directed by filmmaker Juliana Maité, and produced by Vilma Liella, the film addresses the importance of talking about mental health, surviving traumas and confinement, through the story of Olivia, who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD for its acronym in English).
“I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and for me it was important to offer a point of view on it,” said Vélez, who explained that it took about seven years from the origin of the idea to the production of the film.
“The film world premiere will be at the SXSW festival. During a year it will be touring around the international festival circuit, spreading the message of mental health. afterwards we will premiere in theaters in Puerto Rico and eventually sell it to a streaming service,” Maité pointed out. She added that the film production went through strict sanitary controls to minimize the risk of covid. Filming took 12 days and pre-production took a month.
“It has been an honor to be able to work with this super-talented team of women filmmakers – Juliana, Marietere and Vilma – from their first series of shorts to their first feature film and now to their first nomination at a world-famous festival. Their talent has no ceiling and they will continue to win awards in every movie they make,” said Gustavo Aparicio, CEO of Spanglish Movies.
“For many years we have had a relationship with Gustavo Aparicio from Spanglish Movies. He has distributed several of our films and we thank him for believing in us” expressed Maité.
Receta No Incluida has the financial support of the Puerto Rico Film Program and the Ibermedia Program.
The film was entirely shot in the municipality of Barranquitas, in central Puerto Rico, and highlights landscapes, music, and local talent. Vélez shares the leadings role with Gabriel Leiva, along with a cast that include Junior Álvarez, Carola García, Mariana Monclova, Yussef Soto, Eileen Rivera, Ángel Manuel, José Omar Torres, Edda López among others. It also has original music by Ismael Cancel – Séptimo Piso, and the musical participation of Parranderos Animals.
Watch teaser