One of the latest companies to have set up in Lanzarote thanks to the tax advantages of the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) to diversify the archipelago's economy is called 70 Milímetros and is a film production company that is preparing two films with Lanzarote themes.
In an interview with Ekonomus, its director, the Valencian Raúl de la Rosa, believes that in Lanzarote there are its own themes that are enough for dozens of films, announces the first two and highlights that working with local talent is an added value for his films.
- What is the 70 Milímetros project about?
We want to make feature films and series in Lanzarote and with professionals from the island. With actors, technicians and creatives from here.
Our idea is to produce here to value the traditions of the island, everything that is local. I am surprised that more films have not been made because there are themes in Lanzarote that are not enough for one, but for dozens of films, they are really very cinematographic themes.
- What will be your first film on the island?
We are going to start with a project that is very Lanzarote, with a writer from Lanzarote, Ico Toledo, based on her book, 'Where the wind shakes', which deals with a very personal, particular theme of a family.
It is a period story, which is set 100 years ago. All the traditions of those times will appear, the music, the clothes and the locations that were already there then.
Ico Toledo's books fit us well, not only this one, but some more that we will surely do.
- When does the production of the film begin and when is it scheduled to finish?
The idea is to start production in two months and finish the film this year or at the beginning of next year.
- Who are the members of the founding team of 70 milímetros and what are their profiles?
María José Piñero, a great Canarian producer and professional in the financial field; Rubén Monleón, who has a long career in the audiovisual and financial field; Adriano de la Rosa, with a solid training in film direction, filming and production; and I, who come from the publishing world, have directed publishers, magazines and have been a writer and screenwriter.
- Why Lanzarote?
First because of friends we had here who told us very good things about the island. We came and we have found a very good reception. Both at the level of people who have offered to collaborate and from the political sphere. We have seen that there is a great desire to produce here.
- How many workers will you need for the first shoot?
In two months we will start with the production for the film, so we are now preparing the team of between three and five more people for production and administration, hired in Lanzarote, according to the ZEC, and who will work on the shoot.
Also actors, we have a selection of 100% Canarian actors. For this first film, all the actors are Canarian and they are very good. A dozen protagonists and up to 30 performers including extras.
- How did the ZEC seduce you?
On the one hand, because of the advantages it has in terms of taxes and on the other hand, it opens many doors for you, it is an organization not only focused on the economic or business side, but also on the cultural side and they have an idea, very similar to ours, of promoting local talent and that, for example, the locations are from here.
Companies often come here to shoot because of the tax advantages and leave, they do not leave an added value. Our idea is just the opposite, that local talent is an added value for our films.
- What investment is planned for the first feature film?
We are considering an investment of between one and a half million and three million, these are the figures we have for each project.
- And you are looking for a new headquarters to include the film studio...
Yes, the idea is to have the studio here in Lanzarote. We are looking at options. We have discarded some premises and others, we are evaluating them, because some may be useful for one stage, but not for the next.
- What dimensions are needed?
We can adapt now with between one thousand and two thousand meters to start, but for the following steps, only the set could already occupy that space and then much more resources would be needed, so we are evaluating it.
- What is the second film?
It would also be filmed 100% in Lanzarote and would be horror. It is a genre that attracts us a lot and that has a very loyal audience.
It would also be a period piece, set in the 40s, after the civil war. A psychological horror story.
