L.A.-based sales firm Concourse Media has snagged worldwide sales rights to Costa Rican family drama “April” (“Abril”) ahead of its Feb. 7 world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The company aims to kick off sales at the festival before continuing at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
A deeply personal story for writer-director Hernán Jiménez, “April” follows the titular character, a divorcée played by Maricarmen Merino, who struggles to connect with her resentful daughter. When the daughter decides to live with her father, April is at a loss until she meets hunky bartender Gabriel, played by “Heated Rivalry” star François Arnaud in his first Spanish-speaking role. This unexpected bond with Gabriel offers her a glimpse of life beyond marriage and motherhood – until buried truths about her past push her toward collapse.
“’April’ is a deeply human story that feels both intimate and universal,” said Kristin Harris, head of acquisitions at Concourse Media. “Hernán Jiménez brings extraordinary empathy and precision to the film and Maricarmen Merino delivers a performance that is quietly devastating.”
Jiménez, who plays the ex-husband, based the story on his own frayed relationship with his mother. He also left home early, breaking her heart in the process. His movie has a more upbeat ending unlike that of his mother’s whose mental and physical health declined.
“I see it more as a bittersweet ending than a fully happy one. But yes, I think Abril as a character tries not only to portray my mother, but to reclaim her in some way. Notice that something very curious – and again, bittersweet – has happened with the decline in my mother’s mental and physical health: I’ve been able to say things to her, touch her, hug her in ways I never could before. Something like the daughter Valentina’s message at the end. So today my mom is “far away” in a sense, but closer than she ever was before,” he told Variety.
“My history with my mother is very complicated. I don’t think the film manages to capture it completely, but it’s an attempt,” he noted.
The film was produced by Jiménez and Esteban Quesada under their production company Witch Rock.
He added: “From our first conversations, Concourse Media understood what makes this film special and how to position it internationally. I’m excited to have them leading worldwide sales, and grateful to be working with a team that’s both ambitious for the film and deeply respectful of the work.”
Jiménez’ multiple credits include romcom “Entonces nosotros” (“About Us”) which nabbed the second-best opening weekend for a local film in the history of Costa Rican cinema and represented the country at the 89th Academy Awards.
He later made his English-language feature debut with “Elsewhere,” which debuted in 2020 and stars Parker Posey, Aden Young, Ken Jeong and Beau Bridges.
He also co-wrote Amazon Studios’ biopic “A Million Miles Away,” based on the life of NASA astronaut José Hernández, played by Michael Peña and directed by Mexico’s Alejandra Márquez Abella.
His Netflix romantic comedy “Love Hard” debuted in 2021 where it became the platform’s top-ranked film internationally.
Jimenez had been struggling for years to make “April” in Los Angeles where he resides. “After years of development limbo, I got tired of waiting: I flew back to Costa Rica and poured my heart (and the entirety of my savings) into ‘Abril.’ This film is the result of one of the most loving and healing collaborations I’ve ever experienced, and it has changed the trajectory of how I write, direct, act and create.” Shooting in Costa Rica was also an eye-opening experience. The country now boasts more competitive film incentives, skilled bilingual crews and a proven track record from a diversity of international shoots.
“April” lead Merino is also a director. Her short film “Bella” screened in official selections at the Guadalajara Film Festival and EnergaCameraimage and garnered the best director award at the International Short Film Festival in Mexico. Her documentary feature debut,“¿Dónde estás?” premiered at the 2018 Guadalajara Film Festival.
François Arnaud and Maricarmen Merino in ‘April’ Courtesy of Witch Rock