During LA Screenings, they release the story of Clipperton. This event occurred in the early 20th century, a story adapted from Laura Restrepo’s novel La Isla de la pasión (Passion Island), an international bestseller.
*By Luis Cabrera and Fernando Moreno, from Los Angeles
Finding archived stories of Hispanic culture and bringing them to the screen so that they will never again be forgotten is one of the missions of Gato Grande, the MGM Studios company in charge of making Latino voices heard in the most important markets. During their participation in the LA Screenings market, they made their motivation to give their place to Latino immigrants in the US evident with stories that enhance the importance of this community in North America.
We spoke in Los Angeles with Moises Amsel, VP of Drama Development at Gato Grande / MGM Studios, who commented that there is a prejudice in the US that the Latino is alien, that he is always an illegal immigrant. “We realized that much of that blame lies with the media because the stories of Latinos are not told, and when we take part in the stories, it is to encourage these prejudices, or we are immigrants, drug dealers, or we do humble jobs,” he said.
According to Amsel, the Gato Grande team has mostly Hispanic roots, and part of their mission is to find Latino stories and reclaim them. “Our history is so influential in Latin America and the US DNA. So a big part of our mission is to reclaim those stories and see how Latinos have been influential and integrated into this American society, as much as other minorities.”
Honoring this mission, they are bringing to LA Screenings the story of Clipperton, an event that occurred in the early 20th century. “It’s a story adapted from the novel Passion Island by Laura Restrepo, an international bestseller, and tells the story of this group of Mexican militia soldiers in 1908. There was a deserted island in the Pacific that was a territorial hub on a strategic level and where a lot of fertilizer was grown. At that time, there was an interest in having the island from France, the USA, England, and Mexico. The Mexican government decided to send 100 soldiers and their families to Clipperton Island to defend its sovereignty,” he said.
The story follows a newlywed couple who find themselves on a deserted island with very hostile conditions, with hurricanes, shark attacks, plagues, and obstacles. “Simultaneously, the revolution begins in Mexico, and the Mexican government forgets about them. Eventually, the supplies stop arriving, and these people are left trapped on the island, without communication and food, and little by little, the inhabitants begin to die. It is a critique of immigration and what happens in societies without rules; it is a story of heroism and survival, led by a young Alicia,” said Amsel.
The executive emphasized that they are pleased with this project they are bringing to market. “Clipperton is one of those stories that are not known even though they are part of our Hispanic culture; it is one of those stories that we have to recover so that they are not erased from history.”
Regarding Gato Grande’s prospects and the company’s next steps, Amsel said the industry faces significant challenges. “For the last decade, much of the industry was structured to work towards a business model, and today, for corporate reasons, that business model is becoming less viable. So, all the companies, production companies, and players in the industry are adapting our course amid this change process.”
The executive stressed that with all the changes they have been forced to make, there is increasing openness to co-production models and independent production. “I think that in the near future, that’s where the industry is heading. Perhaps we will not have the same resources we had before to produce. Still, it will be perfect for a new generation of audiovisual content proposals that can create a kind of shot that will revive both the film and television industries,” he concluded.
