Ana Brun, celebrated as the first Paraguayan actress to win a Berlinale Silver Bear for her stellar performance in The Heiresses, is once again set to captivate audiences. Brun is starring in the much-anticipated coming-of-age LGBTQ+ drama titled I Thought I Was Swimming (Anoche creí que nadaba), directed by Catalina Torres Puentes. This thought-provoking film is currently featured in the Sanfic Industria’s Santiago Lab for fiction projects, a significant milestone in Latin American cinema.
Exploring Desire Across Generations
Set against the breezy yet nostalgic backdrop of late summer in Punta del Este, the movie beautifully intertwines two stories of love and self-discovery. Brun plays Tere, a sophisticated woman in her 70s who enjoys her days with whiskey in hand as she tends to her sunburned friend, Elsa. Meanwhile, her 16-year-old granddaughter Vera experiences her first rush of queer romance with a charismatic 21-year-old casino worker named Elena.
The parallel storylines delve into themes of desire, aging, identity, and the courage it takes to embrace love at all stages of life. Through Tere and Vera’s journeys, the film unflinchingly examines both the exhilaration of young love and the long-buried feelings of later years.
A Production Fostered by Inclusivity
The ambitious project is a co-production by Monarca Films (Uruguay), Sabaté Films (Paraguay), and House on Fire (France). It has garnered support from prestigious platforms such as the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, San Sebastián, Ibermedia, and Cuórum Morelia, among others. Notably, I Thought I Was Swimming was even invited to apply to Sundance’s esteemed Catalyst Programme, showcasing its potential on the global stage.
According to director Catalina Torres Puentes, the film aims to oscillate between tension and tenderness, creating a reflective space where aging bodies and overlooked identities are depicted with dignity and grace. “This is a story where these bodies exist, live, and desire,” Torres Puentes emphasized.
Celebrating Diverse Voices in Film
Monarca Films, a company known for championing underrepresented voices, highlights the importance of this project. As producer Eugenia Olascuaga Fierro stated, “Most of our projects have a strong social, gender, or LGBTQ+ focus. We work closely with directors from early development to distribution, ensuring each film has the right creative and financial framework.”
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Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking film and support emerging voices in the world of cinema.