Case Study: Del Amor Y Otros Demonios

Marquez adaptation brings in Colombian partners

By ANNA MARIE DE LA FUENTE

Hidalgo

The idea to adapt Gabriel Garcia Marquez's story of impossible love began in 2003 with Costa Rican helmer-scribe Hilda Hidalgo, who persuaded the Colombian Nobel Prize laureate -- whom she met while studying at Cuba's prestigious Intl. Film and TV School -- to grant her the film rights.

Setting up shingle Alicia Films with producing partner Laura Pacheco, Hidalgo first secured funding from Costa Rican art and architecture school Universidad Veritas and DHL Costa Rica. This allowed them to fine-tune the project and pursue more financing options.

Alicia Films then tapped seasoned Mexican producer Laura Imperiale of Cacerola Films ("The Crime of Father Amaro") to oversee the production.

More private investors were reeled in with help from  venture capitalists Creacion de Capitales and counsel from Zurcher, Odio & Raven.

In mid-2005, the filmmakers contacted Clara Maria Ochoa of CMO Prods., producer of Colombia megahit "Sonar no cuesta nada" (A Ton of Luck), who immediately came aboard.

"Once we settled on the budget, we agreed on how it would be split between us, with Colombia covering 44% and Costa Rica 54%" says Ochoa.

"Del amor's"  budget is estimated at $2 million.

Colombian film development fund FDC and Central America and Cuba fund Fondo Cinergia contributed $15,000 and $6,000, respectively. Ibermedia pumped in $200,000 just before principal photography began in spring 2008.

"It was fortunate for us that Costa Rica joined the Ibermedia Program that year," says Imperiale.

RCN TV completed the financing. The pic shot in Bogota and Cartagena de Indias for 10 weeks.

San Sebastian is being eyed for the film's bow.