The Vega brothers are living a dream.
Young Peruvian directors Daniel and Diego Vega’s first feature film, “Octubre,” garnered enthusiastic applause at the Cannes Film Festival, where the movie screened before a packed audience.
“It’s like winning the lottery, literally,” said 36-year-old Daniel Vega, who co-wrote and co-directed the movie with his 35-year-old brother, Diego.
“Diego didn’t believe we had any chance of being in Cannes and I only slightly believed it,” Daniel Vega said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We were pretty depressed before we heard from the festival, which has changed our lives. We went from having a movie that will probably open (in Peru) at the end of the year but didn’t have a great outlook to presenting it in the world’s most important festival, which is really gratifying.”
Because their inclusion in the French Riviera cinema showcase came as such a surprise to the pair, the audience’s warm reaction to the film — which played Thursday out of competition — was even more gratifying.
“People’s affection was amazing. They were telling us ‘thanks so much for making movies,'” said Daniel Vega.
“Octubre” is the story of Clemente, a middle-aged loan shark and confirmed bachelor who suddenly finds himself saddled with an infant — apparently his — left on his doorstep by a prostitute he had frequented. The movie, which is set in lower-class neighborhoods of Lima, chronicles the changes the baby’s undesired arrival causes in his solitary existence.
It’s a simple and touching story, rife with bittersweet humor.
Though the main characters are all professional actors — mostly working in the theater — the Vega brothers cast friends and acquaintances in the bit parts. Their mom puts in a cameo appearance, they said.
Made on a shoestring budget of about $250,000 — raised mostly from foundations in Europe and the U.S. and even from loans from friends — “Octubre” was seven years in the making, the Vega brothers said.
The movie is expected to open in Peru at the end of the year, though no date has yet been finalized. In the meanwhile, the brothers are already thinking about their next project — which they say they will again write and direct together.
Neither would want to do it alone.
“We have always had the same friends and when we party, it’s always together, we’ve always gotten along and we love each other a lot,” said Daniel Vega.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More