The Puerto Rican artist René Pérez, artistically known as Residente, formally began filming “Porto Rico”, his expected debut as a film director.
The artist confirmed the start of the production through his social media, where he shared the photo of the claw with the recording of the first scene on the set.
Defined by its creator as a Caribbean western inspired by real-life events, “Porto Rico” offers a visually intense and reflective look at the island’s complex colonial history.
For the plot, Residente co-wrote the script with American Alexander Dinelaris, who won an Oscar for “Birdman”. The film was directed by British professional Anthony Dod Mantle, known for his work in high-profile productions such as “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Snowden”.
The production marks a special milestone by giving Bad Bunny his first main role on the big screen, after having previously participated in long films such as Bullet Train. The cast is complemented by actors such as Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton and Spanish actor Javier Bardem.
Norton also plays as a producer alongside Bill Migliore, Michael Bederman and the Resident himself through his firm 1868 Studios.
The project has the support of prominent names in the industry. Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu takes on the role of executive producer alongside figures such as Scott Budnick, Noah Assad, José E. Feliciano, Kwanza Jones and Henry R. Muñoz III and Mike Novogratz, while UTA Independent Film Group leads international sales.
Despite the fact that the narrative revolves around the origins and identity of the Puerto Rican people, the film will be filmed in the Dominican Republic, due to discrepancies related to the contributive and tax incentives offered by the Puerto Rico government to audiovisual productions.
The film seeks to portray the historical nuances of a territory that belonged to Spain until 1898 before becoming an Associated Free State of the United States.
