Colombian-Spanish co-production directed by three-time Goya nominee Chus Gutiérrez and produced by 64-A Films (Colombia) and Film Fatal (Spain)
Shooting began on Ciudad Delirio on August 24th, in many of the city’s most emblematic locations with the participation of the people of Cali on. The new film by Colombia’s 64-A Films (Perro come perro, Todos tus muertos) and Spain’s Film Fatal (El laberinto del fauno, El Orfanato, Rabia) stars Cali-born actress and dancer Carolina Ramírez (La hija del mariachi) and Spanish actor and Goya winner Julián Villagrán (Grupo 7).
In Ciudad Delirio, a shy, reserved Spanish doctor, Javier, travels to Cali to attend a medical congress. He spends an unexpectedly magical night with dancer-choreographer Angie, who has pinned her hopes on an audition for a part in the world’s most famous salsa show: DELIRIO. Javier returns to Madrid, but can’t seem to settle back in at work or with his wife. His best friend, a doctor in Cali, encourages him to return to Cali and spend some time with patients, practicing primary care again and getting away from the cold studies and statistics that have filled his working hours in recent years. The stars of the film meet again and fall into an impossible romance fraught with pitfalls set in the fascinating world of salsa with its authentically entertaining characters.
“Ciudad Delirio is a romantic comedy that takes place in the beautiful, lively, cultured city of Cali, where people make their dreams come true through hard work and dedication. The romantic comedy genre hasn’t been explored much in Colombia and we believe that our film and its subject matter are a good product for the new markets,” stated Diego F. Ramírez, the film’s Colombian producer. Chus Gutiérrez, the Spanish director nominated for Goya awards in three categories -- Best New Director (Sublet, 1993), Best Documentary Film (¡Hay motivo!, 2005) and Best Original Screenplay (Retorno a Hansala, 2009) --, says, “it’s a romantic comedy that showcases the sparkle associated with the people from the Valle del Cauca province. A tribute to their magnanimity, tenacity, and desire to improve themselves."
Shooting on Ciudad Delirio is taking place at about 45 different locations around Cali and Madrid, Spain – most of them in Colombia in places like downtown Cali, San Antonio, the city’s west side, the Barrio Obrero neighborhood, the Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater and the Carpa Delirio, the setting for the salsa show, complete with circus and orchestra, known as Delirio.
Colombian cast members include Jorge Herrera (Yo soy Betty la fea) and John Alex Castillo (La Selección). The film’s choreographer, Viviana Vargas, has won numerous world salsa titles and enjoys global recognition for her work in the genre. She worked alongside Spanish choreographer, dancer and filmmaker Blanca Li and a crew that included Elena Manrique and Chus Gutiérrez (screenwriters); Diego Jiménez (director of photography); Juan Carlos Acevedo (art director); Spanish editor Ignacio Ruiz Capillas (Los girasoles ciegos, Los otros), and many others.
