Las Camelias

We take everything off except our face masks

Trailer

Film Festival Nominations

Festival Submission Selection:

  • 10th ARFF Barcelona // International Awards: Quarter-Finalist https://aroundfilms.com ARFF Barcelona – Best Director + Best Actress & Actors Award.
  • 10th ARFF Barcelona // International Awards: Nominee 🔰 All Categories // ARFF Barcelona
    Priority.

Bright International Film Festival:

Bright International Film Festival: Award winner Best Actress (Sub Category) | Best Cinematographer (Sub Category) | Best Director (Sub Category) | Quarantine Stories (Main Category) | Best Drama (Main Category) | Best Romantic (Main Category) | Best Comedy (Main Category) | Best Women’s Film (Main Category) | Best Queer Narrative (Short / Festure / Documentary) (Main Category) | Best Narrative Feature (Main Category) | Biff Award Trophy | Top BIFF Film Review https://brightiff.com

2023 ARFF Amsterdam // International Awards:

Selected ARFF Amsterdam – Best Director | ARFF Amsterdam – Best Feature Film | ARFF Amsterdam – Best Cinematography | ARFF Amsterdam – Audience Award | ARFF Amsterdam – Best Film Score & Sound Design | ❇ ARFF Amsterdam // Spotlight & Interview | ♻ ARFF Amsterdam // Official Certificate + Social Package https://aroundfilms.com

Madrid Indie Film Festival ‱ MADRIFF:

Selected Feature Film https://www.iberiff.org

VALÈIFF ‱ Valùncia Indie Film Festival:

Las Camelias film has been selected for the VALÈIFF ‱ Valùncia Indie Film Festival! https://www.madriff.org/valeiff/

BIAIF ‱ Barcelona Indie Awards:

Las Camelias film has been awarded for BIAIF Barcelona Indie Awards: 

Best Comedy – Award Winner  

Best producer – Award Winner   

Best Actor – Award Winner   https://baiaf.space/winners

About the Film

Synopsis

Las Camelias is a timeless love story. Inspired by the classic novel “The Lady of the Camellias” by Alexandre Dumas. This version takes place in a Caribbean context and the story is presented in a time of pandemic. Denise Quiñones is powerful and casts a spell on us as the legendary Margarita Gautier, daughter, sister, friend, dancer, seductress, prostitute. Men court her and fall in love with her, but she gives her heart to only one. The protagonist, Xavier Morales, as Armando, falls deeply in love with her and risks everything to be with her. Although the two escape, their love story is interrupted by his father, who separates Margarita from his son. The rest is literary history, time and the public have made it clear that they have never gotten over the death of the beautiful Margarita Gautier and the loss of a great love. Puerto Rican director Paloma Suau captures the passion and tragicomedy of the human condition with her leading partner. And, through the Las Camelias bar, Suau presents a seductive world of nightlife where all the characters meet and interpret with humor and frankness the atrocity of age discrimination, rejection, classism, sexual exploitation and LGBTQIA+ exclusion. of society in general.

Synopsis

Las Camelias is the timeless love story inspired by the classic novel “The Lady of the Camellias” by Alexandre Dumas retold as a Caribbean tale. This time around, the story takes place during a global pandemic. Denise Quiñones is powerfully bewitching as the legendary Margarita Gautier, daughter, sister, friend, dancer, seductress, prostitute. Men woo her and fall in love, but she gave her heart to one. Leading man, Xavier Morales, as Armando, falls deeply in love and risks everything to be with her. Though the two escape, their love is interrupted by his father, who prohibits it to protect the family’s honor. The rest is literary history, audiences have never gotten over Margarita Gautier’s death and the loss of a great love. Puerto Rican director Paloma Suau captures the passion and tragicomedy of the human condition with her leading couple. She brings to life a seductive nightlife world in Las Camelias. And combined, the characters play with humor and candor the egregiousness of agism, discrimination, rejection, classism, sexual exploitation, and LGBTQIA+ exclusion from mainstream society.

Principals

Marguerite Gautier | Denise Quinones

Actress, dancer, singer, Denise Quiñones was crowned Miss Universe 2001, becoming the fourth Puerto Rican woman to win the title.

Eduardo Lares | Jose Eugenio Hernandez, Ph.D.

Actor, teacher, and cultural worker. He received a BA in Drama, French, and French literature in the University of Puerto Rico, Rico Piedras,

Arming | Xavier Morales

Since middle school at the JosĂ© JuliĂĄn Acosta School of Dramatic Arts, Xavier Morales has been passionate about acting. He’s been able to study acting in the Dominican Republic,

Ensemble Cast

It doesn't get better than this.

Junior Álvarez, JosĂ© Caro, Braulio Castillo, MarĂ­a De AzĂșa, Yan Christian Collazo, Pedro J. ColĂłn, Yaiza Figueroa, Carola GarcĂ­a, Edgar GarcĂ­a, Cordelia GonzĂĄlez, Iliana GarcĂ­a, Modesto LacĂ©n, GermĂĄn Legarreta, Israel Lugo, Alexandra MalagĂłn, Javier IvĂĄn MartĂ­nez, Anoushka Medina, Camila Monclova, SalomĂ© Monroig, Mickey NegrĂłn, Julio Ramos, Erik RodrĂ­guez, Marian PabĂłn, Heyda SalamĂĄn, Cristina Soler, Tensy Vela, YamĂ­l VelĂĄzquez, Bryan Villarini, and Toño Martorell.

Press

We visited the film set of “Las Camelias”
To the big screen with tragicomedy
Euphoric for the end of “Ls Camelias”

Production Credits

Paloma Suau

Director and editor Paloma Suau is a director, writer, producer, and editor of documentaries, short films, music videos, television specials, commercials, and live shows.

Rafael Abudo MassĂł

Executive Producer for Jurutungo Films Rafael Abudo MassĂł is a professional with a career over 30 years in advertising, public relation, film, and television.

Yamara E. RodrĂ­guez Burgos

Yamara RodrĂ­guez is a graduate of the College of Business Administration, RĂ­o Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico with a major in accounting and minor studies

Glenn Monroig

Original Score Glenn Monroig is considered one of the most versatile and avant-garde artists in Puerto Rico and reaches over five decades in music. Singer, musician, arranger,

Willie Berrios, SPC

Director of Photography Willie Berrios is a Latin Grammy-winning and Emmy-winning DP. Presently on of the most versatile directors of photography in the film

Bryan Villarini

Makeup and Hair Design Bryan is a 25-year self made makeup artist, a collaborator with the main theater companies in the country, and a permanent resource for film productions

Miracles Nunez

Costume Designer Milagros “Tita” NĂșñez is a consummate professional with over 20 years costume/wardrobe artist world in Puerto Rico.

Emilio Olabarrieta

Art Designer

Rafael Carrion

Co Executive Producer

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Margarita Gautier | Denise Quiñones

Actress, dancer, singer, Denise Quiñones was crowned Miss Universe 2001, becoming the fourth Puerto Rican woman to win the title. After her crowing year, her artistic career took off in New York and her achievements have carried on. Denise starred in the Spanish version of “Anna in the Tropics,” which earned her “ACE” and “Hola Awards” nominations. She also starred in “Doña Rosita la Soltera,” and the off-Broadway hit “Carrots.” On North American television Denise has credits in “Smallville”, “Freddie”, and “The Bedford Diaries.” She was cast as Rachel, the lead role in the CW Television Network series “Aquaman.” For more than twenty years Denise has remained committed to her creative versatility, for which she has earned a vast track of work experience in theater, cinema, advertising campaigns, business enterprises. Throughout the years Denise has remained a proud ambassador of Puerto Rico and has earned the affection of her people.

Eduardo Lares | José Eugenio Hernåndez, Ph.D.

Actor, teacher, and cultural worker. He received a BA in Drama, French, and French literature in the University of Puerto Rico, Rico Piedras, a master’s degree in theater from the Sorbonne Nouvelle University Paris, and a Ph.D. in literature from The Center for Advanced Studies Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. He launched his career as an actor with the mentorship of the late actors director Dean Zayas. JosĂ© Eugenio has starred in numerous plays and films. He won the Best Male Interpretation at the Festival Rencontres du CinĂ©ma Sud-AmĂ©ricain de Marseille for his role in the film “Antes que cante el gallo.”

Armando | Xavier Morales

Since middle school at the JosĂ© JuliĂĄn Acosta School of Dramatic Arts, Xavier Morales has been passionate about acting. He’s been able to study acting in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama, through the socioeconomic development program Liberating the Potential of Young People, sponsored by the BahĂ­a Community of Puerto Rico. Today, Xavier has a solid career in the theater, participating among others in “La pasiĂłn segĂșn AntĂ­gona PĂ©rez” and “Por amor en el caserĂ­o”. In film he has appeared in “El Che, The Argentine” and many others and played the role of DJ Negro in the biopic movie of renowned Puerto Rican rapper “Vico C, la vida del filosofo”.

Paloma Suau

Director and editor Paloma Suau is a director, writer, producer, and editor of documentaries, short films, music videos, television specials, commercials, and live shows. She received a BA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Early on she opened her own production house, “Ninguna Ciencia” directing projects with stars like RubĂ©n Blades, Miguel BosĂ©, Ricky Martin, Juanes, JosĂ© Feliciano, Marc Anthony, DRACO, Juan Luis Guerra, among many others. From 2000 to 2007 she directed and produced “El Especial del Banco Popular,” a musical-documentary project that celebrates the musical traditions of Puerto Rico and Latin America. She co-directed the documentary “DreamMakers” with the award-winning filmmaker, Susan Koch. Suau co-directed and did principal photography for the “The Five Awakenings,” the documentary about the life of Chopra Center co-founder David Simon. In 2012, Paloma concluded a 9-year project with the legendary Miguel BosĂ© in the intimate documentary “Family Life,” which has not yet screened. Her most recent documentary, “El accidente feliz” premiered in 2019, just before the pandemic. She is currently developing her second feature production, “Maestra Vida” by RubĂ©n Blades. “Las Camelias” is her first feature film, a love story for all times.

Rafael Abudo MassĂł

Executive Producer for Jurutungo Films Rafael Abudo MassĂł is a professional with a career over 30 years in advertising, public relation, film, and television. Publisher of the magazine LUJO, Abudo MassĂł is also Executive Producer of Jurutungo Films, a production house dedicated to pre-production, post-production, distribution, and marketing services for films, shorts, dramatic series, documentaries, entertainment, and special programs. Some of his titles include, “Puerto Rico Social,” “Amores que Matan,” “Zona de Peligro,” “PasiĂłn de Mil Amores,” “Mixtape,” and upcoming, “Las Camelias.” Jurutungo Film productions have received a total of 14 Emmy nominations and six Emmy awards for “IncĂłgnita S1”, “IncĂłgnita S2”, “Ismael Cala en Puerto Rico”, and “EscĂĄndalos”. Jurutungo Films is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Yamara E. RodrĂ­guez Burgos

Yamara RodrĂ­guez is a graduate of the College of Business Administration, RĂ­o Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico with a major in accounting and minor studies in the Department of Drama. She has a postgraduate certification in Media Marketing from the Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires. She holds vast business experience and has produced in Puerto Rico, the United States, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Vietnam and Germany. Yamara has produced numerous projects for film and television for Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, DOCTV Latin America IV, Jurutungo Films, Rojo Chiringa, Telemundo Internacional, University of Puerto Rico, among others with productions such as “¡SonĂł, Sonó
Tite Curet!”, “Prohibido Olvidar”, “Escandalo,” “La Mujer Maravilla Sobre Ruedas,” y “Mundo Breve.” Yamara’s work has been recognized by CineFiesta, the Association of Professional Relations Professionals of Puerto Rico, and the SunCoast Chapter Emmy Awards. Due to her experience and skills in the financial area, she currently works as Director of Operations for the non-profit organization Taller Salud, where she combines her social commitment with the development of audiovisual content that educates and makes social issues visible.What’s a product or service you’d like to show.

Glenn Monroig

Glenn Monroig is considered one of the most versatile and avant-garde artists in Puerto Rico and reaches over five decades in music. Singer, musician, arranger, and producer of various musical styles, some such as contemporary pop, tropical, jazz, rock and R&B. Credited with recording the first rap song in Spanish. From an early age he was close to the world of music, influenced by his father, the legendary Puerto Rican bolero player, Gilberto Monroig. The 80s marked the beginning of a fruitful recording and commercial career for Glenn Monroig. After the release of the song “I will never abandon you like this again”, which became one of the favorites of Puerto Rican audiences. Through Mezza Lunna Recording Studios, he expanded a decade of musical successes for local and international markets of advertising campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the world. His original songs “Me dijeron” and “Por siempre” marked the history of popular music in the island. “Me dijeron” from his album “No Finjas” became an international anthem for openly speaking about society’s prejudices against homosexuality. “Por siempre”, a Spanish version of “Forever” by Kenny Loggins, in his album with David Sanborn, David Foster and Ina Ein occupied the top of the charts. Songs like “MĂ­rame a los ojos,” “Si supieras,” “Hola,” “Vivir para ti,” the first Spanish Rap “No finjas,” “Causa perdida,” “Y entonces volviste a herir”, “Ahora quĂ©â€, “Yo solamente”, “Solo” by Claudio Baglione, “Donde quiera que estĂ©s”, “Causa y Efecto”, “Una vez mĂĄs” from his salsa record “Tropical” sold over 100,000 copies with WEA Latina. “A papi,” a tribute for his father Gilberto Monroig, with musical director and arranger Frank A. Suarez, assembled over fifty musicians and the production was praised by the press as “a prodigious interpretation that defies the ambiance and reveals his strength.” Glenn’s most recent production “Intacto” after a long hiatus, Glenn yet again demonstrated his vanguard style, social conscious, romanticism, humor, capacity to go direct and honest, compassionate, and standing in solidarity. Glenn has worked with hundreds of national and international tall-order musicians.

Willie Berrios, SPC

Director of Photography

Willie Berrios is a Latin Grammy-winning and Emmy-winning DP. Presently on of the most versatile directors of photography in the film and advertising industries in Puerto Rico. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the Universidad del Sagrado CorazĂłn in Puerto Rico. Berrios holds 12 DP feature film credits among them: “Thieves and Liars” sharing cinematography credit with Jaime Costas; “AmĂ©rica” directed by Sonia Fritz and executive producers Frances Lausell and Edward James Olmos; “Amores que Matan,” “Mix Tape”, “A Story to Keep You from Sleeping,” and “Las Camelias.” Other credits include “Isla Chatarra” winner of an Emmy Award, “White Bear,” and “Finding Yourself.” His DP advertising credits run the gamut of major companies and brands from Rums of Puerto Rico to Coca Cola and beyond. As a music video DP, Berrios has earned three Latin Grammy awards, one for Best Latin video for “Calma Pueblo” by Calle 13, with whom Berrios has worked on as DP in “La Perla” sharing DP credits with Sonnel VelĂĄzquez, “Latin America”, and “Death in Hawaii.” Berrios has also worked music videos and concerts for urban stars Don Omar, Tego CalderĂłn, Wisin and Yandel, Christian Daniel, and DRACO.

Bryan Villarini

Makeup and Hair Design

Bryan is a 25-year self made makeup artist, a collaborator with the main theater companies in the country, and a permanent resource for film productions that come from abroad. They obtained a bachelor’s degree in makeup for theater, film, and television from the now defunct Design Department of Arizona State University, and a second BA in Humanities with a concentration in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. Bryan danced professionally from an early age and has represented Puerto Rico as actor in theater festivals in Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Bryan has been casted in musicals like “La Jaula de las Locas” and “Baño de Damas y Malas”.

He launched himself as a vlogger, influencer and tv personality and unexpectedly the communications seduce him. His original collection of small-town phrases to reflect on the Puerto Rican identity has kept Bryan in the press earning the affection of the people.

Milagros NĂșñez

Costume Designer

Milagros “Tita” NĂșñez is a consummate professional with over 20 years costume/wardrobe artist world in Puerto Rico. Her work spans film, theater, commercials, and music videos. She has twelve costume designer titles in her resume, including Las Camelias. NĂșñez gained experience in the costume department as assistant to the costume designer, costume supervisor, key costumer, cutter and fitter, seamstress, and wardrobe stylists. She is adept at patternmaking, alterations, aging and distressing all kind of clothing, working military and period specific costumes. With over 60 creative works under her belt, she is a member of IATSE – Local 494. NĂșñez studied Fashion Design & Patternmaking at Escuela de Diseño Lisa Thon in San Juan, and Fashion Design Illustration from the University of Puerto Rico, RĂ­o Piedras.