LA.-based helmer Diego Velasco's "Zero Hour" has cleared unusual hurdles in the race to become Venezuela's all-time B.O. champ.
Velasco's debut feature haseven outperformed Hollywood blockbusters such as "Inception," which grossed $1.6 million in Venezuela; "Iron Man 2" ($1.9 million); and "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" ($3.2 million).
Hollywood Studios Intl. picked up worldwide sales rights and aims to kick off deals in Berlin.
Plot turns on a hitman who holds a private clinic hostage in order to save the love of his life, and Velasco risked life and limb to get his debut made. When he returned to Caracas in 2008 to start work on the film, his car was hijacked while he was driving in from the airport. Later, three of his producers were kidnapped, 15 of his crew were robbed, camera gear was stolen and one actor was killed a week before principal photography.
Even marketing the pic had its challenges as a few weeks before they launched their print campaign, the Venezuelan government banned any suggestion of violence.
"We had to remove all images of blood and guns," says Velasco.
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