Chilean Mystery Drama ‘The Meltdown’ From ‘1976’ Director Manuela Martelli Lands on Losange Films Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

“The Meltdown,” Manuela Martelli’s follow up to her critically acclaimed feature debut “1976,” has been boarded by Losange Films for international sales ahead of the European Film Market in Berlin.

Set in 1992, in post-dictatorship Chile, “The Meltdown” is a mystery drama that opens at a remote hotel near an Andean ski resort where nine-year old Inés befriends Hanna, a 15-year old German skier, while staying with her grandparents. When Hanna vanishes without a trace, the search for her begins to uncover hidden truths. The cast is headlined by Maya O’Rourke, Saskia Rosendahl (“Babylon Berlin”) and Maia Rae Domagala.

Martelli is a promising Chilean actor-turned director whose debut “1976” premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2022 and went on to play at major international festivals, including San Sebastian and New Directors/New Films. The film received multiple awards and recognitions, notably the Sutherland Award at the BFI and a nomination for the DGA Award for outstanding directorial achievement in a first feature film.

The movie hails from topnotch producers, including Alejandra Garcia at Ronda Cine in Chile; Alex C. Lo at Cinema Inutile in the U.S.; and Andrés Wood at Wood Producciones in Chile; in coproduction with Elastica Films in Spain, Piano in Mexico; and Rio Fundación in Chile.

Losange Films’ prestige roster includes “Out of This World” by Albert Serra and “The First Taste of Loneliness” by Gu Xiaogang which are both in post production. The company, whose international sales division is headed by Alice Lesort, will be hosting a market premiere at the EFM for “Hugo” directed by Pascal Bonitzer and starring Fabrice Luchini.