The Retreat - Dominican Republic
New York – “The Retreat” a US/Dominican Republic co-production is a uniquely independent film even before the cameras switch on - as a majority female production. Poderosa Pictures (DR) Pictures that Empower - announces the attachment of Executive Producer Tracey Cuesta, Owner/Supervising Producer at Serie23 Productions. Cuesta brings with her a strong resume of production experience from Los Angeles and International Productions shot in the Dominican Republic and has worked closely with the Mayor of San Pedro de Macorís, Tony Echavarria, since 2002 as Executive Director of the Local Film Office to promote the Dominican Republic and create local jobs and educational opportunities. More than 1,500 local jobs were created in 2009 alone on her projects and she was recently named "Woman of the Year" for her contributions to the International Film Industry and local society. She joins female producers Oneca Hitchman, Chelsea Marino and Emiko Soekawa on a team that promotes the female spirit and actively engages in diversified casting.
Robert von Dassanowsky, CEO of Belvedere Film and a noted film historian has also joined the production as co-producer. Von Dassanowsky carries on the tradition of his pioneering mother, Elfi von Dassanowsky, who co-founded Belvedere Films in Vienna, Austria in 1946. Re-established in Los Angeles and Vienna in 1999, Belvedere Film LLC is focused on partnering with international productions to support “unique and high quality” independent films, shorts and documentaries.
The initial three female producers of “The Retreat” conceived of the script when Oneca Hitchman, Chelsea Marino and Emiko Soekawa met on a film set in downtown Manhattan. It was here that the three women began to passionately discuss what they wished to see in an industry that still marginalizes women in leading production. Their shared interest was to see realistic stories of educated, racially diverse cast members who are not commercial film stereotypes and are allowed to tackle issues commonly faced by contemporary young adults.
“The Retreat” tells the story of three women whose recent circumstances lead them to seek clarity at a restorative retreat. Margaret, editor of a major ‘Tween’ magazine, is rocked by tragedy and consequently becomes disengaged with her superficial job; Skylar, a quirky, animal rights activist, loses confidence in her career path after the leaders of her non-profit organization scandalously betray their stated values and ruin her reputation; Natasha, once happy in life and love, succumbs to self-inflicted pressures, gives up her dancing dreams and consequently suffocates in a stringent job as a corporate attorney. It is at The Retreat that Margaret, Skylar and Natasha are forced to confront their dreams and see that only they are their own strongest obstacle.
Emiko Soekawa's script will be directed by Chelsea Marino with Jeff Melanson as DP and Michelle D’Eze as Line Producer. The all female cast is led by Marino and Hitchman with Jessica Cohen. Sharon Marantz Walsh has been named Unit Publicist with Jackie Giroux of the Global Universal Film Group handling all sales and International Distribution. The Production will be Managed by Leonardo Cuesta.
The super exclusive filming location is being kept under wraps as the project will be the first in the Dominican Republic to participate in the modern form of cultural tourism referred to in the industry as “film-induced tourism”. This new type of branded content has received worldwide attention from both academia and practitioners with the knowledge and understanding on the benefits of film on tourism. Recent research suggests that films have a strong influence on tourist destination decision-making and films do not only provide short-term tourism revenue but long-term prosperity to the destination. A multi-million dollar Publicity Campaign will follow.
Photo:
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