‘On the Go,’ ‘Elite’ Icon Omar Ayuso’s Movie Debut, Closes France, Nears Deals for Spain, U.K., U.S. (EXCLUSIVE)
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BUENOS AIRES — Paris-based sales agency MPM Premium has has closed its second major territory deal on “On the Go,” toplining “Elite” star Omar Ayuso in an Andalusia-set road movie with lashings of sun, sex and sensuality.
Directed by Maria Gisèle Royo and Julia de Castro, and one of Spain’s most memorable feature debuts, “On the Go” has been licensed to Outplay Films which plans a theatrical release in Sumer 2024 after the film’s French premiere in premiere in Chéries Chéris.
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MPM Premium has already clinched its first major sales, selling to Salzgeber for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and to Cineplex for Taiwan. Spain, the U.K. and U.S are in advanced talks, said Quentin Worthington, MPM Premium head of sales and acquisitions.
The deal in one of Europe’s key arthouse and queer cinema markets marks further recognition for an immersive movie in which Milagros (De Castro), set on motherhood but unemployed, arrives in Seville in her father’s ’67 Corvair to persuade best friend Jonathan to become her sperm donor.
Jonathan, however, before even thinking that through, needs some closure of a past toxic love affair with a night-club owner who abused him when he was underage.
As the two escape to and towns in the hills and Andalusia’s stunning southern coast picking up on the way an out-there young woman (Chacha Huang), who believes she’s a mermaid, circling Andalusia Milagros also circles around another idea that Jonathan could play a more active role in parenthood.
World premiering at Locarno, “On the Go” won the Rainbow Spike at the Valladolid Seminci Festival, one of Spain’s most significant festivals after San Sebastian, and best film at Spain’s Gijón, whose lineup caters for an often young art-buff crowd.
“‘On the Go’ is marked by its refreshing audacity and impertinence. Freedom and a life-affirming queer energy are at the center of this fast-paced road movie set under the sun of Andalusia. This cinematic experience is like diving into the ocean and letting the cool water wash over you, leaving you feeling refreshed and energised,” said Thibaud Fougères Carazo-Migerel, founder and head of distribution at Outplay Films.
Outplay Films has released LGBTQI+ arthouse titles, such as “Sublime” by Mariano Basin, a Ventana Sur hit, “Camila Comes Out Tonight,” Inés Barrionuevo’s portrait of a young Argentine feminist generation, and Alfredo Castro-starrer “My Tender Matador,” “a quietly potent drama,” said Variety, as well as titles such as Leonie Krippendorff’s “Kokon.”
“With the film winning awards across festivals – best Spanish Film at Gijon Film Festival and the Rainbow Spike at the Seminci – ‘On The Go’ is getting further validation from the industry and from the audience that it’s a unique piece in Spanish cinema as much as it is a vibrating, fun queer film that doesn’t ignore problems but decides to look at the brighter side of life to generously puts a smile on everyone’s face,” said MPM Premium’s Quentin Worthington, head of sales and acquisitions.
MPM Premium has received interests both from generalist distributors interested in representing Spanish cinema, as much as dedicated LGBTQ+ specialty distributors.
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