The film will be directed by Puerto Rican artist René Pérez Joglar, best known as Resident Puerto Ricoa historical drama about Puerto Rican origins starring Javier Bardem, Bad Bunny, Viggo Mortensen and Edward Norton.
The film was written by Resident and Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris, and the rest of the department will be announced in the next few months.
“Since childhood, I have dreamed of making a film about my country. The real history of Puerto Rico has always been tainted by controversy. This film is a reaffirmation of our people, informed by the intensity and honesty that our history demands,” assured Resident in a statement.
The artist, author of songs like ‘René’ or ‘Atrévete, Te, Te’ — as a member of the group Calle 13 — has awarded with 34 Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.
Among the producers is Norton himself, who explained that it is a big film that “is written in the tradition of films” that he “deeply” loves. “Desde Godfather hasta Gangs of New York, that we strike with visceral drama and characters and iconic periods, but also oblige us to compare the story in the shadows that underpins the current narrative of idealism,” he added in a press release.
The Resident and Bad Bunny have spent years using their music and fame to interfere in the island’s political life, especially since the massive protests of 2019 that forced the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló. They marched together through the streets of San Juan, participated in a rally in front of La Fortaleza, and turned themes such as “Afilando los cuchillos” into the movement’s soundtrack. Ricky Renunciationwhere they denounced the corruption and historical mistreatment of Puerto Rico by some of the elites.
From the beginning the two united as unpleasant voices for power, criticism of European colonialism ys local political class.
The resident fought back on various occasions the right of Puerto Rico to redefine its political status and identitywhile Bad Bunny brought this generational badass star to global scenarios — from the Super Bowl to his music videos — where he denounces the violence, desire and precariousness that permeate the island.
Javier Bardem’s involvement in the project also leads to a dialogue with his own history of political activism: the Spanish actor used his fame to denounce human rights abuses in colonial contexts such as Western Sahara, creating a documentary Hijos de las clouds and putting Saharawi before the UN.
In recent years, he has strengthened his position as a nuisance on the international stage, claiming to support the self-determination of the Saharawi people and publicly opposing the wars and genocide in Gaza.
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