Belén's Dolores Fonzi And Producer Leticia Cristi Discuss Argentina's Oscar Submission: "This Story Was Meant to Be a Movie" - Contenders International

The film Beln has captured attention across Argentina, though the true identity of its central figure remains unknown to most. The movie, a gripping political drama, was written, directed, and led by the multi-talented Dolores Fonzi.

Set against real events from 2014, Beln follows a young woman who is admitted to a hospital in Tucumn with severe stomach pain. Unaware she is pregnant, she suffers a miscarriage and is immediately arrested based solely on circumstantial evidence, accused of carrying out an illegal abortiona charge that could imprison her for years.

Fonzi portrays Soledad Deza, the lawyer who brought the case to public attention and renamed the girl Beln to shield her from retaliation in prison.

The case sparked widespread public outrage in Argentina, reminiscent of a Spartacus moment, and was documented in Ana Correas 2019 book We Are Beln. Producer Leticia Cristi encountered the book and felt compelled to bring the story to the screen. Speaking at Deadlines Contenders Film: International event, Cristi explained, I knew this story had to be told through cinema. It has everything needed to engage audiences in Argentina and beyond. We also wanted a woman director to lead the project, reflecting how the real Belns story united so many people.

Cristi approached Fonzi soon after the director completed her 2023 debut Blondi. Fonzi recalled, Leticia asked me to write, direct, and act in this project, just as I did for my first film. I couldnt refuseit felt like a gift.

Fonzi assumed the role of Deza, the courageous lawyer who risked everything for Beln. The real-life Deza actively participated in the project, providing guidance throughout the scripting process. Soledad is incredibly generous, Fonzi shared. She supported me at every step, allowing me to merge her spirit with mine in the character. The role is a blend of her personality and mine.

The film aims to shed light on a critical social issue while reaching both domestic and international audiences, emphasizing the power of cinema to tell stories that demand attention.

Author: Chloe Ramirez