Alternate project: "Voces en el Silencio" - a public awareness short film

Ok, finally a bit more time to write after many long weeks.
This month of September has been quite difficult to film anything related about the film as the weather is quite nasty regarding fog and drizzle. Compared to other years, this one has prolonged days of semi dark foggy days that cover all Lima and the Morro Solar (where I'll shoot the Morro de Arica siege) simply disappears most of the day in a puffy cloud of white fog. Same as almost two months ago when driving up there to re-check the location. You couldn't see past 30 meters! Can't see the ocean below...nothing!

So I decided to put those scenes on hold for this month as all the remaining takes and scenes regarding soldiers and battle are outdoors and at the top of the morro. No use in shooting now. Would be simply a waste of my time and most of it all, my money. Just letting this month pass. This next month of October will be much better to restart filming "Gloria del Pacifico".

Now, I'm setting in motion an alternate project for only this month that was being just "in-talks" for the last two months and a half together with my good friend and actor Carlos Vertiz (who plays Francisco Bolognesi on my film) and his wife. They approached me with this topic that they have been involved in for quite a time now and which they have a theater play even: the human sexual exploitation and trafficking. In this case it's covered how very young girls are picked up or sold by their parents in the highlands and/or jungle towns by people who promise them a better life in the capital, only to make them later street prostitutes and drug users to control them. A totally sad but thruthfull fact that happens not only here but also in other nearby countries as studied and shared by people who works in Tourism departments and offices here in Peru for decades. I proposed them to make a short film to show and make audiences conscious of what is really going on behind doors with tourists that come from abroad to do activities that are not only unlawful but also damaging to a kids life. Now....it's been approved and the filming wheels are set in motion. :)

Have been reuniting with key people in this field of tourism and police for the last month and I'm proud to be a part of this amazing team of excelent human beings who are taking a step forward and do soemthing about this horrible reality. So sad to know how young girls are depraved of their normal raising and growing and be exploited sexually since their early teens, damaging sometimes for good their psyque and health by contracting STD's and not being able to re-enter society normally as they are brainwashed to think there's no escape from that life they had.

I feel proud to be doing something about it. Even if small but doing it as professional as it can be for this film is being taken to Greece this next month to be showned in an international symposium regarding this topic. So i'm in a rush to finish it quickly.

On a side note, it is really a pleasure to work with new actors and also some of the tops names here in the Peruvian industry like Reynaldo Arenas and Teddy Guzman. They surely give this project a high value. Nice to work again with Reynaldo after a long time. Thank you Carlos Vertiz for sharing this project with me.

So...even with this horrible pharyngitis I got, this project is progressing fine and giving it all with my team of people in order to finish it in time for the symposium and then restart again filming "Gloria del Pacifico" in october.

I hope the weather is clearer and sunnier by that time. 35% more left and I'm finished with my so awaited dream war-epic film!

Canta

Haven't been posting for a while but I have many things to share here as the days have been filled with meetings, location scouting for future scenes and new projects that involve my immediate participation for its humane and moral content. Been coming home late because of that and too tired to even write (not to mention even select pictures among the many taken to post here).

Right now, about to depart to Canta to film a few scenes. Be back in a few days.
Frenzy days...just as I like it.

On a side note: Canta....so many loving memories.

Happy day Tacna!

A day like today, you returned to our homeland, your motherland. A day like today 82 years ago you saw the light back again knowing that you are safe among family. Have a happy day, you heroic city. You were a fountain of martyrs who gave Peru so much glory. Have a wonderful day, Tacna. Today I celebrate you with corn and cheese and Mercado Viejo just like I used to as a child .... as in those delicious sunday countryside meals in Pachia!

Another magazine interview

Interesting interview I had a few days ago for the Hildebrandt magazine about my film.

Flu

Finally coming out of bed. Been sick for many days. This changing weather and my long days of tiresome filming in water and fire drains my body of needed defenses.

Have to keep an eye on exceeded stress and lack of sleep.

Independencia flashback scenes: flood and fire.

It's been quite a week these days and I am beat as a boxer after this. In a few words: exciting, dangerous, adrenaline-filled, scary at times but worth the emotions.

Also, tuesday morning we went to the San Lorenzo island some miles in front of Lima in a zodiac speed boat. Was told that around the island the waters are clear so I can do the underwater scenes as the Peruvian sailors fell into water and were shot to death. The beach was amazing as I never been there before. Funny how all falls in place here. Sadly, the water wasnt clear enough but I was told it depends much on how sunny it is and on the currents. Perhaps I'll have to wait a bit longer down the year to do those scenes. Can't simply go one day just out of the blue if the sun comes out strong as those shots need a lot of preparation. Have to think of plan B in case it doesn't work there. At least I visited the island. :)

Filmed basically the fire and flooding inside the Peruvian armored ship "Independencia" during the bombing as it ran aground. The chosen location worked perfect as it was prepared the prior days during the holidays.

Two new production assistant team mates are in summing up to the "growing family" and they began with the right foot with these exciting scenes. Welcome to the team guys!

Preparing the run aground of the Independencia scene

It's Tuesday 26 and getting ready the scenario and set for the run aground of the peruvian Independencia ship. The scene involves ocean water flooding and fire plus explosions inside the armored ship because of the bombing happening outside. It also involves fire shooting of the sailors desperately trying to control the damage caused by underwater rocks. Navy officer Guillermo More is
in command (played by my actor friend Manuel Rojas) ordering black sailors aboard.
It is to be the flashback memories of him during his explanation to Bolognesi's question about it in front of Ugarte and Inclan the night before the Arica morro siege.

We will be also filming in the San Lorenzo island because of the clear waters surrounding it that would allow me to film underwater as the Peruvian sailors are shot to death by enemy fire.

Such a dangerous and delicate scene but happy that the Navy will help me with transportation to the island and also with the use of old ship metal shell inner casing so I can destroy it and open holes in the walls to allow for the water pumps to shoot pressured sea water in it.

The rest is just good acting and camera moves.

On monday I'll be doing some tests for fire control, lighting, how big the explosions would have to be and how much heat build-up will happen inside. Lenses would get really foggy and also my camera handles at least 50 Celsious and I don't want it to melt during filming!!

Let's see what happens. I'm very excited to shoot this scene!!