“When you are here, tell the commissioner that I am 16 years old and they are forcing me to work, he will surely come running,” Cecilia tells a “client” of the brothel, where she is being held against her will in the south of the country. The dialogue is a necessary spoiler, to illustrate the commitment of “Invisible Stories”, the film that premieres in theaters throughout the country on Thursday June 6, and which, under the direction and script of Guillermo Navarro, shows, inspired by real events, the situation of trafficking of young people who are forced into prostitution. “Rio Films” is the one who presents this film that has the production of the Mendoza Sofia Toroand which is filmed entirely on location in the province of Mendoza.
In the plot of “Invisible Stories”, the strength of women in the face of terrible adversities that violate them appears. Also, the complicit connivance of those who must ensure justice and those who violate it knowing how to ensure the protection of a horrific and million-dollar business. “Historias Invisibles” becomes a visible story exposed to the popular gaze, not only because of the solid script and direction, but because of outstanding performances, such as the young actress from San Juan Antonella Ferrari; She who gained popularity by playing the girlfriend of “Diosito” in the last season of “El Marginal.” Also the acting stamp of the great Eleonora Wexler, an unstoppable mother in the search for her kidnapped daughter; Vanesa González as Cecilia’s brothel partner and with whom they will sustain themselves in that asphyxiation of her reality. Furthermore, the imprint of local talent, with the consecrated Pinty Saba and the great actor and producer Willy Olarte, who take roles that link the story of this “thriller where horror is reality.” Among the people of Mendoza, separate paragraph for the collaboration carried out by the actor Santiago Raca, one of the protagonists of the international show “Fuerza Bruta”. Thus, “Invisible Stories” translates, as his presentation says, into a story where “we do not always see what is in front of our eyes.”
Synopsis
Inspired by real events, “Invisible Stories” tells the story of two girls kidnapped by a human trafficking organization. Cecilia (16) comes from a poor family in Catamarca and is attracted by a boyfriend much older than her. Jorge, her father, and given the non-cooperation of the police, loses all hope of finding her until he receives a call from her daughter and decides to undertake a 2,000 km trip to rescue her. Paula (18), is a middle-class girl from Mendoza who is violently kidnapped and her mother, faced with no help from the authorities, decides to go around brothels looking for her, even though she has to face everything and everyone.
Mendoza great set
Although in “Invisible Stories” the absolute focus is on the story itself and its forcefulness, the locations in their entirety are in the province of Mendoza, sets used to reflect the different moments that the film tells. Places in the departments of San Martín, Junín, Luján, Ciudad, Las Heras, Maipú; They were part of the filming. Especially since the buildings and interiors that reflect being whiskey shops stand out, there were different spaces used for night recreation in the province.
Although the film had the support of the National Film Institute (INCAA), the main investment came from abroad, especially the United States, since the director of the film, although Argentine, lives there. A financing that was possible, because not only was the project trusted and liked, but as Sofía Toro, producer of the film, says, “because Mendoza already has a prestige earned in the quality of the professionals dedicated to the field here, due to the installed capacity.” in the province and although on this occasion official financing programs were not used, they are absolutely necessary and promoters of culture.” In the case of the director, Sofía continued, “he was delighted with the talent of the industry in Mendoza, and with the geographical beauty.” Although the film had to endure the various difficulties presented by the pandemic, it was able to continue its course later and be concluded to now finally be presented to the public.
Leading cast
Antonella Ferrari (Cecilia): Young and talented actress born in San Juan. She recently participated in the series “The Marginal” (Netflix original), one of Netflix’s highest-grossing series for four seasons that has positioned her as the young promise of Argentine cinema and television.
Eleonora Wexler (Graciela): One of the most talented and respected actresses in the Hispanic world. With a career that spans 30 years in film, television and theater. Recently awarded the Konex Award for Best Actress of the Decade, her most recent credits include the Spanish series “The Barrier” (Netflix original); “Your Part of the Deal” (TNT/Turner, original); “The Cock Fighter” (HBO/MAX) and “I’m a Girl, I’m a Princess” (Star+).
Vanessa Gonzalez (Paula): Long-time Argentine actress, known for her roles in both films and television series. Recently she could be seen in the series “Apache” (original Netflix) about the life of Carlos Tévez, the world famous soccer player, which gave Vanesa great international projection.
Pablo Pinto (Ringo): The experienced Argentine actor, Pablo Pinto plays the character of “Ringo”, a bodyguard in charge of the security of the brothels where Cecilia and Paula are kidnapped. Pinto delivers a remarkable performance in a difficult and multifaceted character.
Pablo Tolosa (Jorge): With extensive experience in theater and multiple appearances on screen, Pablo Tolosa steps into the shoes of Jorge, Cecilia’s father who undertakes a 2,000 kilometer journey to free his daughter. Tolosa creates a human, sensitive and lovable character with the talent and simplicity that characterizes him.
Mariano Bertolini (Céspedes): Mariano Bertollini’s career begins with leading roles on television (Chiquititas, Rebelde Way) and theater and then extends to film. Having participated in more than 30 series and films, her most recent credits include the films “I’m a Girl, I’m a Princess” (Star+), the international co-production “Bergoglio, the Pope Francis” (Argentina/Spain/Italy) and “Focus” (Warner Bros. Pictures).
The director: “I imagined what I would do if my daughter disappeared”
“The inspiration for this film came from reading several cases of human trafficking that were published in the press. The frequency with which they happened and the horrors that were reported led me to put myself in the victims’ shoes and try to measure the pain and anguish they experienced. Having a teenage daughter at that time led me to imagine what I would do if my daughter disappeared from one day to the next and I had to go out looking for her without the help of the police, nor the judicial system, nor politicians, who by On the contrary, they seemed to be accomplices of the pimp mafias,” says Guillermo Navarro, the director of “Historias Invisibles.”
“I wrote the script when I was not in Argentina, with the information reflected in the press. I submitted the script to a Latin Cinema competition in Hollywood, California and it won the award for best feature film script. (Latino Screenplay Competition). This award decided me to make the film and I contacted Sofia Toro Pollicino who upon reading the script had an immediate identification with the story and together we began the long path of bringing it to the screen. In the process, I contacted victims and specialists on the subject and we added to each character, details from multiple stories with the intention that it would not be based on a single particular case, but would somehow represent the thousands of parents and mothers who have to face this situation daily. The film tries to be in some way the story of everyone, including us, “those who have nothing to do with it” and yet, as a society, we tolerate this happening every day around the corner,” Navarro concludes.
Biofilmography of Guillermo Navarro
Guillermo Navarro is a screenwriter, director and producer of independent feature films with an extensive and diverse career working in the film and television industry. In his early years, he traveled to more than 25 countries making documentaries. From China to the Sahara Desert he accumulated invaluable experience with social content, covering topics as diverse as street children in Brazil, refugee camps in Africa, indigenous groups in Asia and Olympic events. As a freelancer he has worked for the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, ESPN, FOX, HBO, ABC, NBC, CBS, VH1, PBS, HLN, MTV, Disney Plus, Televisa, Telemundo, Animal Planet and Speed Network among others. Guillermo wrote and directed his first narrative feature film, “Relapse,” which won four awards, including the “Excellence in Cinematography Award” at the Honolulu International Film Festival and the “Silver Remi Award” at the Houston World Fest. His second film was as a producer, “The Land of Eb” premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival and continued its tour of film festivals in Boston, Chicago, Nashville, Seattle, Hawaii, Fiji, St Tropez and others, always with a great response from critics and audiences. He also produced “Midori in Hawaii” a USA/Japan feature film and several short films. Guillermo was awarded the Best Feature Film Screenplay award for his script “Historias Invisibles” at the Latino Screenplay Competition in Hollywood, California; film that opens in theaters on June 6, 2024.
“Invisible Stories” Technical Team
Script and Direction: Guillermo Navarro
Photography: Nicolás Colledani
Art: Diego De Souza
Costumes: Julián Rugolo
Sound: Lucas Kalik
Editing: Paula Rúpolo
Music: Damián Mahler – Mauro Francés – Federico Vilas
Executive Production: Sofía Toro Pollicino
Producers: Sofía Toro Pollicino – Guillermo Navarro
