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Los Frikis (film)

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For the subculture featured within the film, see Los Frikis.

Los Frikis
Directed byTyler Nilson
Michael Schwartz
Screenplay byTyler Nilson
Michael Schwartz
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySantiago Gonzalez
Music bySteven Price
Production
companies
Distributed byWayward/Range
Release dates
  • April 6, 2024 (2024-04-06) (Miami)
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageSpanish

Los Frikis is a 2024 American drama film based on true events, set in Cuba in the 1990s. It is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, who also wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. It stars Héctor Medina, Eros de la Puente and Adria Arjona, and is produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Premise

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Inspired by the audacity and resilience of kindred souls facing the challenges of Special Period Cuba, this film tells the story of youthful members of a punk rock band, who, seeking musical freedom, relief from poverty, and a sense of independence, purposely infect themselves with HIV.[2] This allows them refuge at an isolated government run sanatorium where they live life on their own terms, forging a seemingly utopian community and looking to an uncertain future with hope and resilience.[3][4]

Cast

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  • Adria Arjona as Maria
  • Héctor Medina as Paco
  • Eros de la Puente as Gustavo
  • Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez Gomez
  • Pedro Martínez
  • Euriamis Losada
  • Jorge Enrique Caballero

Production

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The film is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. New Slate finances the film with Schwartz and Nilson as producers alongside Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, as well as Rebecca Tomlinson for Lord Miller. Adria Arjona is an executive producer and a member of the cast as sanatorium nurse, Maria, alongside Héctor Medina and Eros de la Puente as brothers Paco and Gustavo.[5][6]

Beyond Puerto Rican born Adria Arjona, the cast is made up entirely of native Cubans, in order to facilitate authenticity. Writer/director Schwartz learned to become an effective Spanish speaker to aid and authenticate script development as well as communication with the cast and crew. The filmmakers encouraged actors to give feedback and improvise to facilitate accuracy in the film's depiction of Cuban culture. The production used historical objects and materials instead of replicas where possible and constructed period accurate sets.[4][3]

Principal photography took place in Dominican Republic.[4][5] The work of Los Frikis cinematographer Santiago Gonzalez has been recognized by IndieWire as "some of the best of 2024".[7]

Film Editing was done by Jon Otazua, who received the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival's Best Narrative Editing Award for his work on LOS FRIKIS.[8]

The soundtrack by Steven Price includes musical influences that inspired the real world Frikis in their rebellion, including The Rolling Stones and Nirvana.[9]

Release

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Los Frikis had its world premiere at the Miami International Film Festival in April 2024, where it received a standing ovation and was awarded the Marimbas award.[4] In October 2024, Wayward/Range acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for a December 25, 2024, release.[10]

Reception

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Evoking a range of emotions - from mirth and joy to sorrow - and characterized as a tribute to friendship, love, community and resilience,[2] the film has gone on to win multiple festival jury and audience awards including best narrative feature and/or audience awards at the 2024 Nantucket Film Festival,[11] the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival, the 2024 Sidewalk Film Festival, the 2024 Middlebury New Filmmakers Film Festival,[12] the 2024 Crested Butte Film Festival,[13] the 2024 Tallgrass Film Festival,[14] the 2024 SCAD Savannah Film Festival[15] and the 2024 Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival[16] as well as a 2024 Shine Global Resilience Award [17] and the Heartland International Film Festival's 2024 Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award.[18] Héctor Medina (as Paco) was recognized with a Best Performance Award at the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival.[12] Jon Otazua was recognized by the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival for his editing of Los Frikis.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Los Frikis". Miamifilmfestival2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Los Frikis: The Story of Freedom-Seeking Cuban Punks amid AIDS". Project Casting. August 24, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Debruge, Peter (August 22, 2024). "Colman Domingo and Directors of 'Daddio,' 'Los Frikis' and 'The Bikeriders' Discuss the Hustle and Flow of Filmmaking on Variety Southern Storytellers and Panel". Variety. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Rodriguez, Samantha (May 2, 2024). "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' creator on his award-winning ode to Cuban culture, 'Los Frikis'". The Miami Hurricane. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Sippell, Margeaux (August 22, 2024). "Los Frikis Tells the True Story of Cuban Punk Rockers Who Intentionally Injected HIV in the '90s". Movie Maker. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 22, 2021). "Adria Arjona To Star in Indie 'Los Frikis', Will Also Executive Produce". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "The Best Cinematography of 2024 (so far)". indiewire.com. July 16, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  8. ^ a b https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/2024-awards
  9. ^ Civita, Alicia (April 12, 2024). "'Los Frikis' Film Commemorates Cuban Punk Rockers Who Self-Infected HIV as a Cry for Freedom". Latin Times. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Davis, Clayton (October 4, 2024). "'Los Frikis,' From Producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Lands U.S. Distribution and Christmas Day Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "29th Nantucket Film Festival Announces 2024 Winners". indiewire.com. June 25, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Los Frikis – Awards". IMDb. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  13. ^ "2024 Awards".
  14. ^ https://www.broadwayworld.com/wichita/article/The-22nd-Tallgrass-Film-Festival-Announces-Winners-20241027
  15. ^ https://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/scad-savannah-film-festival-announces-2024-winners-1235062216/
  16. ^ https://www.screendaily.com/news/saoirse-ronan-la-cocina-among-winners-at-evolution-mallorca/5198943.article#:~:text=A%20total%20of%2024%20prizes,Cinematography%20%2D%20Caroline%20Champetier%2C%20Window%20Clicquot
  17. ^ "Los Frikis Receives Shine Global Children's Resilience in Screenwriting Award at 2024 Nantucket Film Festival". Shine Global. June 25, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  18. ^ https://heartlandfilm.prowly.com/356124-33rd-heartland-international-film-festival-announces-winners-presents-60000-in-cash-prizes
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