Picture Tree Intl. Scores Spanish Supernatural Crime Thriller ‘The Osha Rule,’ Starring Mariela Garriga (EXCLUSIVE)

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Berlin-based sales agency Picture Tree Intl. has acquired the supernatural crime thriller “The Osha Rule,” and will start seeking distribution partner at the Cannes Film Market. The film will start principal photography in August 2024.

“The Osha Rule” blends crime with supernatural horror and revolves around a young Latino gang member forced into a Santería ritual after recovering stolen goods from a rival gang.

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Soon after, he and his little sister begin to feel the harassment of a supernatural entity. A traumatized social worker risks everything to help the siblings escape their seemingly doomed fate.

The film will star Mariela Garriga in a leading role under the direction of Ángel González, whose debut “Compulsion” premiered at the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival and was licensed globally to Amazon.

Garriga is best known for her work in “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” She also stars in the film’s second instalment, currently in post-production. Further acting credits include the Paramount+ series “Bosé,” about barrier-breaking singer-songwriter Miguel Bosé, as well as in the Netflix series “Luis Miguel,” about the life of the Mexican singer.

Garriga just wrapped the shoot of “Close to Me” (Muori Di Lei) by Stefano Sardo, starring Riccardo Scamarcio. She will also star in “When Nobody See Us,” alongside Maribel Verdú. It is the first Spanish-produced series announced for Warner Bros.’s streaming service Max.

“The Osha Rule” is produced by Sangre Yoruba, Paul Mateos Verdejo and Egoitz Rodriguez, with Blacklight Films and Euskalreel acting as co-producers, and with the support of RTVE.

The production is currently finalizing the remaining lead cast, which will be announced during the Cannes Market.

As well as international rights Picture Tree Intl.’s mandate includes all home entertainment/VOD and pay-TV rights in Spain with the domestic theatrical distribution deal being in final negotiations.

Picture Tree Intl.’s Cannes lineup also includes Constantin Film’s box office hit “Chantal and the Magic Kingdom,” a fantasy adventure; the Finnish father-daughter tango comedy “Butterflies“; the emotionally charged female hero tale “Vena”; the Swedish discovery gem “A Quiet Resilience”; and “Raptures,” a pioneering drama about a religious cult set in the early 20th century.

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