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“Rebellion,” from José Luis Rugeles whose “Alias María” competed at Cannes Un Certain Regard and was Colombia’s Oscar entry, has been acquired for international sales by Latido Films.

Latido will be bringing the title onto the market at Toronto.

In the film, Rugeles takes a non-linear approach to the narrative drifting through moments in Arroyo’s life and psyche from childhood through to the end of his life. “Rebellion” explores memory, addiction and Arroyo’s deep connection to the composition of song.

It shows the birth of legendary melodies being recorded obsessively by Arroyo into multiple tape recorders as he layers ideas upon each other. These fragments infiltrate the soundtrack throughout, at times bursting into full band performances of Arroyo’s famous songs. The authenticity of the music is aided by some of the musicians involved having played with Arroyo.

Lead producer Federico Durán of Rhayuela said: “When we...

Musical biopic “Rebellion” has wrapped after a four-week shoot in Bogota, Colombia, making it one of the few pics to have filmed in the country since the Covid-19 pandemic breakout in 2020. The film about Afro-Colombian salsa icon Joe Arroyo is directed by Jose Luis Rugeles, whose previous drama “Alias María,” about a pregnant 13-year-old member of a guerrilla unit, competed in the 2015 Cannes Un Certain Regard sidebar and represented Colombia at the 89th Academy Awards.

“Rebellion’s” compelling soundtrack, produced by Alacran Records and recorded at Alacran Studios in Miami, will feature a new single cover of his biggest hit, the titular “Rebellion,” by popular Colombian hip hop band, ChocQuibTown. Its lead singer Gloria “Goyo” Martínez will sing the anthem, marking the first time a woman sings it. Soundtrack and single will be released in time for the film’s world premiere next year. Rugeles will also helm the track’s music video,...