Alief Swoops on Anticipated Málaga World Premiere ‘Bad Beast’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Alief, the U.K.-France-based sales agency, has swooped on “Bad Beast” (“Mala Bestia”), one of the most awaited of world premieres at this year’s Málaga Festival main competition.
Ticking multiple right boxes to make an impact in Málaga, “Bad Beast”marks the feature debut of Barbara Ferré, a multi-prized Catalan filmmaker who studied at Barcelona’s ESCAC film school, a new talent powerhouse, going on to win best short at Málaga and Catalonia’s Gaudi Awards for “The Last Virgin.”
A shatteringly blunt loss of virginity drama, the short centers on Sara who will do what it takes to remain part of her group off friends, even if it means having sex, though she’s just 13. She does so, feels nothing.
Penned by “The Last Virgin” writers Alberto Dexeus and Farré,“Bad Beast” (aka “Agrestes”) reprises some of these themes focusing on Atanea, who lives at an rambling county house orphanage and fears growing up and being thrown out to the world on her own.
Her only escape from that is to be “chosen,” adopted. When that happens, giving Atanea a home, she takes it into her head that she will be replaced. Desperate for love and protection, she will commit a terrible act in order to stay forevermore.
A coming-of-age tale, yes, depicting the sensory fascination of teen years and sexual self-discovery, per reports “Bad Beast” stands apart by its record of the impressionability of adolescence, told in a fable structure – Atanea goes to live in a cottage in the woods – which is packed by constantly told fantasy stories, particularly expanding on a bad beast who lives in the nearby forest.
Atanea is played by María Schwinning whose short professional career includes a prominent role in Juanma Bajo Ulloa’s “El Mal.” Iría del Rio, who broke out to large recognition in Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The New Years,” and Roger Casamajor (“Everybody Knows,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”) play the couple who take Atanea in.
“It’s exciting to get to bring Alief on board ‘Bad Beast,’” said director Barbara Farré. “This is a movie about misfits living on the fringe, and I hope that audiences will see themselves reflected in them and the universal theme of looking for love in all the wrong places. Alief is the right partner to help us reach the audiences this film will connect with.”
“It was an easy decision to want to work with Barbara and her team on ‘Bad Beast,’” said Alief partner Miguel Govea. “At Alief, we work with filmmakers telling impactful stories, so we can help bring them to the forefront. ‘Bad Beast’ is a genre bending story of people struggling to find a connection, and nothing brings people together like the communal experience of seeing a relatable story play out on the big screen.”
“Bad Beast” is a fun ride. An elevated tale of self-discovery, resilience and the unexpected roads that lead us back to ourselves. We are delighted to be representing the film,” added Alief President Brett Walker.
“Bad Beast” is produced by Diego Betancor, Lucas Casanovas and Farré at Mimosa Produce, and Jofre Farré and Ander Sagardoy, and Eneko Sagardoy at Sumendi, likewise based in Barcelona. Lágrima Films, Kabak Films, and Mamma Team also produce.
“Bad Beast” won the coveted Screening Test award at December’s RECLab, where films are shown to the general public which has no prior knowledge of them. Farré has also reaped peer recognition, headhunted by “Elite” co-creator Carlos Montero to direct episodes of his 2023 TV series “In Love All Over Again”, alongside such names as Mateo Gil (“Blackthorn”) and Carlota Pereda (“Piggy”).
It already has sturdy backing, a sign of market potential: A Contracorriente Films distributes in Spain, releasing July 31; Filmin; 3Cat and Movistar Plus + have pre-bought TV rights.
Ticking multiple right boxes to make an impact in Málaga, “Bad Beast”marks the feature debut of Barbara Ferré, a multi-prized Catalan filmmaker who studied at Barcelona’s ESCAC film school, a new talent powerhouse, going on to win best short at Málaga and Catalonia’s Gaudi Awards for “The Last Virgin.”
A shatteringly blunt loss of virginity drama, the short centers on Sara who will do what it takes to remain part of her group off friends, even if it means having sex, though she’s just 13. She does so, feels nothing.
Penned by “The Last Virgin” writers Alberto Dexeus and Farré,“Bad Beast” (aka “Agrestes”) reprises some of these themes focusing on Atanea, who lives at an rambling county house orphanage and fears growing up and being thrown out to the world on her own.
Her only escape from that is to be “chosen,” adopted. When that happens, giving Atanea a home, she takes it into her head that she will be replaced. Desperate for love and protection, she will commit a terrible act in order to stay forevermore.
A coming-of-age tale, yes, depicting the sensory fascination of teen years and sexual self-discovery, per reports “Bad Beast” stands apart by its record of the impressionability of adolescence, told in a fable structure – Atanea goes to live in a cottage in the woods – which is packed by constantly told fantasy stories, particularly expanding on a bad beast who lives in the nearby forest.
Atanea is played by María Schwinning whose short professional career includes a prominent role in Juanma Bajo Ulloa’s “El Mal.” Iría del Rio, who broke out to large recognition in Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The New Years,” and Roger Casamajor (“Everybody Knows,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”) play the couple who take Atanea in.
“It’s exciting to get to bring Alief on board ‘Bad Beast,’” said director Barbara Farré. “This is a movie about misfits living on the fringe, and I hope that audiences will see themselves reflected in them and the universal theme of looking for love in all the wrong places. Alief is the right partner to help us reach the audiences this film will connect with.”
“It was an easy decision to want to work with Barbara and her team on ‘Bad Beast,’” said Alief partner Miguel Govea. “At Alief, we work with filmmakers telling impactful stories, so we can help bring them to the forefront. ‘Bad Beast’ is a genre bending story of people struggling to find a connection, and nothing brings people together like the communal experience of seeing a relatable story play out on the big screen.”
“Bad Beast” is a fun ride. An elevated tale of self-discovery, resilience and the unexpected roads that lead us back to ourselves. We are delighted to be representing the film,” added Alief President Brett Walker.
“Bad Beast” is produced by Diego Betancor, Lucas Casanovas and Farré at Mimosa Produce, and Jofre Farré and Ander Sagardoy, and Eneko Sagardoy at Sumendi, likewise based in Barcelona. Lágrima Films, Kabak Films, and Mamma Team also produce.
“Bad Beast” won the coveted Screening Test award at December’s RECLab, where films are shown to the general public which has no prior knowledge of them. Farré has also reaped peer recognition, headhunted by “Elite” co-creator Carlos Montero to direct episodes of his 2023 TV series “In Love All Over Again”, alongside such names as Mateo Gil (“Blackthorn”) and Carlota Pereda (“Piggy”).
It already has sturdy backing, a sign of market potential: A Contracorriente Films distributes in Spain, releasing July 31; Filmin; 3Cat and Movistar Plus + have pre-bought TV rights.