Pasto Cine Boards ‘Puan’ Helmer María Alché’s ‘I Love You and Today Everything Looks Beautiful’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Pastos Cine announced that it has secured distribution rights for María Alché’s latest feature, I Love You and Today Everything Looks Beautiful, a romantic drama that charts the lives of three generations of women in a small Argentine town. The film, which will be released theatrically in late 2024, is a co‑production between Brazil’s Bubbles Project, Spain’s Elastica Films, Germany’s Pandora Film and France’s Maneki Films, underscoring the increasingly global nature of South American cinema.Alché, a filmmaker who first gained international attention with The Sun in the Sky (2013), returned to the screen after a seven‑year hiatus. The director, who grew up in the coastal village of San Carlos, says the new story draws from personal memories and the collective nostalgia of her community..

“I wanted to explore how love and memory intertwine in the everyday lives of ordinary people,” she told reporters during a private screening in Rio de Janeiro. The script, written by Alché and her longtime collaborator, Ana Miranda, is set in the 1950s and 1960s, a period of political transition and social upheaval in Argentina, but it focuses on domestic scenes and quiet moments rather than grand historical events.The film follows Rosa, a widowed seamstress who reflects on her past as she prepares her granddaughter, Marta, for a life beyond the town’s borders. Marta, a university student, is torn between her love for the village and the allure of the city..

Their conversations are punctuated by a soundtrack that blends traditional folk music with contemporary acoustic arrangements. Alché’s visual style—characterised by long, unhurried takes and a muted palette—has earned her critical praise for its lyrical quality. In this new work, she uses colour to signify emotional shifts; warm tones dominate the scenes of Rosa’s memories, while cooler hues capture the uncertainties of Marta’s future.Pastos Cine’s decision to acquire the film follows a successful festival run in Berlin, where it received a standing ovation at the Berlinale Shorts competition..

The distributor, which specialises in curating “hidden gems” from Latin America, noted that the film’s themes of memory, gender and generational continuity resonate with contemporary audiences. “We are delighted to bring a story that balances intimate human drama with a rich historical backdrop to the Argentine market,” said distributor director, Carlos Santos, in a statement.Production details reveal a collaborative effort that spans continents. Bubbles Project, known for its commitment to socially relevant narratives, handled the primary post‑production work in Rio, while Elastica Films oversaw European distribution..

Pandora Film contributed funding from German film grants aimed at fostering cross‑cultural projects, and Maneki Films, a French production house, managed the French release strategy. This partnership not only reflects the film’s multicultural heritage but also its ambition to reach a wide audience across Europe and Latin America.The film’s release strategy will feature a staggered rollout, beginning in Argentina’s major cities before expanding to smaller towns. Pastos Cine plans a premiere in Buenos Aires that will be streamed live on its digital platform, allowing viewers from remote areas to experience the opening night..

The distributor’s chief marketing officer, Lucia Gómez, explained that the film will be promoted through a combination of traditional media and social media campaigns, with a focus on the story’s universal appeal. “It is a film that speaks to anyone who has loved and lost, who has dreamed of a different life and who understands the weight of history,” she said.Critics who have seen the film in private screenings have praised Alché’s ability to weave lyrical dialogue with a subtle narrative structure. In an early review, the Argentine weekly El Espectador called the film “a quiet, beautiful meditation on memory, a film that feels both personal and universal.” Meanwhile, a Spanish critic from El Mundo highlighted the film’s “poetic visual language” and its “delicate handling of the female perspective.”The film’s casting choices also drew attention..

Rosa is played by veteran actress Isabel Borges, whose performance has been described as “compassionate and nuanced.” Marta is portrayed by young actress Camila Alvarez, whose portrayal of a young woman caught between tradition and modernity was praised for its authenticity. The supporting cast includes several local actors from the town of San Carlos, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Alché’s decision to cast non‑professional actors in key roles reflects her commitment to portraying the genuine voice of the community.The project’s financial backing includes a notable contribution from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture, which offered a grant to promote cultural exchange..

In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson, Ana Lima, emphasized the importance of projects that bridge regional cultures. “This film exemplifies the richness of Latin American storytelling and its capacity to foster understanding across borders,” she said.I Love You and Today Everything Looks Beautiful also explores themes of resilience in the face of political change. The backdrop of 1950s Argentina, marked by the rise of Perón, provides a subtle commentary on how personal lives intertwine with broader socio‑political narratives..

Alché has been quoted saying that the film is “a love letter to the past that also speaks of the present.” The narrative structure is intentionally non‑linear, allowing the audience to experience past and present as a single, fluid memory.In anticipation of the film’s release, Pastos Cine has announced a series of outreach programmes aimed at engaging young filmmakers. These include workshops on co‑production models, financial planning for independent films, and seminars on narrative construction. The distributor’s CEO, Martín Rojas, said that the film’s success would be a springboard for future collaborations between Latin American and European producers..

“We hope that I Love You and Today Everything Looks Beautiful will open doors for many emerging voices in the region,” he added.As the film prepares for its worldwide rollout, the conversation surrounding it highlights the growing interest in stories that balance the particularities of local experience with universal emotional themes. With its evocative storytelling and strong production support, María Alché’s new feature is poised to become a milestone in contemporary Argentine cinema, resonating with audiences both at home and abroad..