Chilean director Dominga Sotomayor returns to Cannes after five years with 'La Perra,' premiering at Directors’ Fortnight and based on Pilar Quintana's book, co-produced by Chile's Planta and Brazil’s RT Features.
Exploring Motherhood and Identity
'La Perra' features Manuela Oyarzún as Silvia, a woman on a remote Chilean island whose life changes with the arrival of a stray puppy, Yuri. The film also stars Selton Mello and David Gaete, delving into themes of childhood trauma and longing for motherhood.
Sotomayor, speaking to Variety, explained her interest in adaptations, sparked by a conversation with producer Rodrigo Teixeira. “He brought me this book when I was working on another original script,” she said, emphasizing a desire for a project between personal films.
Adapting the Story
The setting of 'La Perra' shifted from the Colombian jungle to a Chilean island, Santa María, noted for its unique culture. Sotomayor said the location was crucial, reflecting her films' ties to their settings. She aimed to explore motherhood subtly, diverging from the book's deeper dive into Silvia’s relationship to motherhood.
Sotomayor noted, “The dog doesn’t stand for a child she never had, but something much more beautiful, which is opening this connection to feelings of delayed motherhood and a search for identity.”
Cast and Production Insights
Brazilian actor Selton Mello plays a wealthy man connecting Silvia to her past. Sotomayor felt a Brazilian actor would convey foreignness without resorting to clichés. “Selton was lovely,” she said, appreciating his familiarity with her work.
Mello expressed admiration for Sotomayor, stating, “I was already a huge fan of Dominga’s work… I play someone who is a bridge to the main character’s past.”
Stylistic Choices and Industry Recognition
Incorporating flashbacks, Sotomayor experimented with time, focusing on emotional logic rather than straightforward narrative. She highlighted the creative freedom in constructing the film's geography and time.
Retaining the title 'La Perra,' Sotomayor rejected the English translation due to its negative connotations. She celebrated the presence of her film and Manuela Martelli’s 'The Meltdown' in Cannes, noting the significance for Chile’s small film industry.
Sotomayor emphasized the role of consistent support in Chilean cinema’s success, amidst concerns over cultural funding, stressing the importance of sustained industry development.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/dominga-sotomayor-selton-mello-la-perra-cannes-1236750634/
