Alina Film positions itself as a champion of singular artistic voices, partnering with acclaimed Swiss-French talent and first-time feature directors to deliver an ambitious period road movie that questions our relationship with images in the digital age—a timely meditation wrapped in 17th-century costume drama.
Sources say Spain's aggressive filming incentives are reshaping European co-production maps. France, long Switzerland's default partner, is being sidelined as Madrid's political will to attract productions pays dividends. One insider notes: 'It's not a coincidence; it comes from a political will.' Meanwhile, debut helmers Julier and Chapoulier are betting everything on bold formal experiments—square format, all exterior shoots—that could either elevate the film or alienate audiences.
The €2.6 million ($3.0 million) Swiss-Spanish co-production received Eurimages and ICEC support. Filming took place over five weeks across Spain, France, and Switzerland. Sister Distribution's Abel Davoine called it 'a historical study with such a contemporary and relevant perspective, where intelligence and grace are not opposed but rather complementary.' The film will sneak-peek at ECAM Forum in Madrid, June 9-11.
First-time filmmakers rarely get €2.6M budgets and distribution deals before cameras roll—but Julier and Chapoulier's unconventional vision apparently sold itself. Whether audiences are ready for an 'image-driven' period piece with no traditional character arc remains to be seen.
Swiss banner Alina Film is making a major move into majority production, announcing Thursday it will co-produce the period road movie "The Indies" ("Les Indes") alongside Spain's Lastor Media—the same team behind the Toronto-winning Spanish film "They Will Be Dust." The announcement comes as Switzerland's Sister Distribution simultaneously snapped up Swiss distribution rights to the project, which will receive a work-in-progress sneak peek at the ECAM Forum co-production market in Madrid running June 9-11.
The €2.6 million ($3.0 million) production marks the feature debut of Swiss-French artist-filmmaker Pauline Julier and theatre-based director Nicolas Chapoulier, who met Alina Film co-founders David Epiney and Eugenia Mumenthaler at Locarno six-to-seven years ago. "They pitched us the idea, and we were both impressed by their respective credentials and unique vision for this period piece," Chapoulier told Variety. Julier has gained international recognition with art installations and documentaries including "Way Beyond" and "Follow the Water," showcased at Visions du Réel, Thessaloniki, and Paris' Centre George Pompidou.
Set in 17th-century Europe during an era of scientific discoveries and distant colonisation, "The Indies" follows two French soldiers and young Spanish nobleman Alejandro as they deliver a portrait of the Infanta of Spain to the young King Louis XIV to seal an alliance between the crowns. But Julier insists this isn't your grandmother's costume drama: "This is therefore not a character-driven film, but an image-driven film, in which a single image—a portrait—is carried by three men.
The era in itself is not that important; it's a mere excuse to reflect on the symbolic of images." The filmmaking duo took what Julier calls "bold formal choices": square aspect ratio, long takes, exclusively exterior shooting—all designed, she said, "to emphasize the artistic weight of the cinematic image." Cinematographer Sylvain Verdet, Camerimage-nominated for his work on "Pacífico Oscuro," delivered "remarkable work despite very tough filming conditions" over five weeks across Spain, France, and Switzerland.
The cast features newcomer Theo Urtubey as Alejandro, selected for what Julier described as his "timeless beauty, slightly feminine, contrasting with the more rugged and earthly appearance of the two other characters." Sister Distribution's Abel Davoine framed the acquisition in glowing terms: "A historical study with such a contemporary and relevant perspective, where intelligence and grace are not opposed but rather complementary—this is precisely the core of our vibrant lineup." Epiney, meanwhile, offered an pointed observation about European production geography, noting that Spain's numerous filming incentives have made it "more competitive and attractive than France" as a co-production partner. "And if Spain is booming these days as a shoot and production hub, it's not a coincidence; it comes from a political will," he said.
