The film “Isla Bonita” (Pretty Island) brings together three friends (Saskia Bernaola, Emilia Drago and Patricia Barreto) on a trip to the beautiful and paradisiacal region of Iquitos. Here they will find the way to renew themselves and rediscover their dreams, while getting to know this incredible destination in Peru. There were more than 28 locations during filming, such as the city of Iquitos, the beaches, Amazonian forests, among other natural spaces. This production places the region in a new film scenario.
“The film was being built and ended up what we designed: the banner and reference of Iquitos. The entire city, without exaggeration, has placed its expectations on the development of the filming,” says the film's producer, Dorian Fernández-Moris, who also highlighted the participation of the local authorities during the filming. In addition, the creator of AV Films highlighted the commitment and enthusiasm of the private sector during the recordings. “We were surprised when many more hotels and restaurants, for example, wanted to participate in the film,” he adds.
For the executive producer, Andrea Moberg, this great reception is a response to the perception of civil society; Iquitos, he comments, has a relationship of more than 10 years with cinema. “Nowadays in Iquitos we see the issue of sponsors more easily because they have had experience before and were related to cinema. Today the entrepreneurs see that cinema is a showcase to expose themselves,” he maintains.
Furthermore, Dorian Fernández-Moris explains, there is respect from the production company for the region, this being one of the most determining factors in having a greater popular reach. “There is a feeling that the jungle has not been represented to the right extent in the different artistic manifestations, and the cinema within it [...] The imaginary of the jungle is coming closer to what we, with a family and amical connection [...], really feel. I feel that 'Isla Bonita' is the highest point of having this tourist edge, without exoticizing it or stereotyping it," he states.
The new release of AV Films that premiered in November 2023 is on its way to being one of the national films most viewed in Peru. However, Dorián Fernández-Moris has an even bigger dream to fulfill. “I am confident that Isla Bonita will be the consolidation of Iquitos as a film location,” he says.
Beyond the challenge of filming in the incredible settings of the country, there is also the need for filmmakers to see the possibilities they have for their productions. “Although several films leave the Lima stage, by bringing a comedy to these destinations, it invites production houses and people to get to know them. We have a very rich country in everything, being able to play with scenarios that add to the story [...] I feel that it could generate this desire to continue expanding the audiovisual territory, as an awakening and the opportunity to start making comedy stories or another genre in different spaces,” comments Ani Alva-Helfer, director of the comedy.
“Isla Bonita” not only becomes a film that entertains the audience with the occurrences of the actors, but it also revalues the Peruvian jungle from a cinematographic aspect and allows more national and international production companies to learn about the facilities that exist in the region for any filming. “This is another demonstration of a specific space, like Iquitos and surrounding areas, we also talk about multiple possibilities of where to film. If you add to that that it has logistical capacity, hotels, tourist services and more, such as lighting trucks, catering, plots and more, you are encouraged to do more. It is a city that has demonstrated that it has the expertise to receive large-scale film projects,” says Dorian Fernández-Moris.
