Argentine filmmaker Celina Murga is developing her latest project, “The Rehearsals,” which will be showcased at the San Sebastián Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum in September. The film represents Murga’s continued momentum following her acclaimed works that received executive producer support from Martin Scorsese, including “The Freshly Cut Grass” and “The Third Side of the River.”
“The Rehearsals” draws inspiration from multiple short stories by Japanese-Argentine author Alejandra Kamiya. The narrative centers on Eva, a woman in her late forties who cares for her mother, an 80-year-old retired physician experiencing early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The household also includes Eva’s teenage son and younger sister, all navigating shared caregiving responsibilities. As the family manages medical appointments and family tensions, a surreal element emerges through recurring imagery of bulls surrounding the property, blending reality with magical realism.
Murga describes the film as an exploration of societal attitudes toward aging and mortality. She emphasizes how the story examines vulnerability and demonstrates how caregiving can paradoxically foster deeper emotional bonds and renewed vitality. Production is scheduled for Uruguay by 2028, with local production company Alterna Media leading the effort and leveraging Uruguay’s recent audiovisual tax incentives of up to 30 percent on eligible costs.
Murga credits her mentorship with Scorsese as transformative, noting his continued involvement in her career through ongoing correspondence and genuine engagement with her projects.
Originally reported by Variety →
About the Author
