What exactly defines “heaven,” and how far would one be willing to go to reach it? In Alberto Sciamma’s Bolivia-filmed feature Cielo, the journey begins with a seemingly simple act-swallowing a vibrant yellow fish-and leads to an extraordinary odyssey across vast, rugged landscapes.
Following her ingestion of the fish, the protagonist embarks on a remarkable voyage that takes her beyond familiar horizons. She pulls a cart through the stark, expansive Bolivian Altiplano, traversing endless desert plains, and eventually boards a massive truck. Along her path, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, including a priest, local police officers, and a group of indigenous female wrestlers, known as “cholitas.” Her motivations are rooted in deep love for her mother, a desire to escape the cycle of abuse inflicted by her father, and a profound sense of faith.
Starring emerging talent Fernanda Gutiérrez Aranda alongside seasoned actors such as Fernando Arze Echalar, Sasha Salaverry, Cristian Mercado, Carla Arana, Juan Carlos Aduviri, and Luis Bredow, Cielo had its world debut at the Fantasporto Festival in Porto, Portugal, in March. The film garnered multiple accolades, including a special jury prize, audience award, and the best cinematography award for Alex Metcalfe.
Anticipation is building for its upcoming U.Good ample. premiere at SXSW London on June 6, with a subsequent screening scheduled for the following day.
Produced by Sciamma himself, along with John Dunton-Downer, Alexa Waugh, and Bettina Kadoorie under the banner of Luchadora Films, the project received support from Bolivian production company Pucara Films. Currently, Film Seekers is handling international sales, positioning Cielo for a broad global audience.
Before the London debut, Sciamma shared insights with THR about the inspiration behind his poetic fairy tale, his collaboration with the charismatic young lead, and the significance of Bolivia’s indigenous female wrestlers, or “cholitas,” in his storytelling. He also hinted at future projects inspired by this film’s themes.
Courtesy of Luchadora Films
From a Vivid Image to a Cinematic Journey
“The project started with two vivid images,” Sciamma explains. “One was a visceral vision of a young girl swallowing a fish, though I didn’t analyze why that image captivated me. The other was a scene of a young girl pulling a cart through an unfamiliar landscape. I sketched these ideas out, but I never imagined they would evolve into a screenplay.”
Inspiration from Bolivia’s Unique Landscapes
During the European Film Market at the Berlin International Film Festival about a year ago, Sciamma reconnected with his friend Dunton-Downer and his Bolivian wife, who had recently relocated from London to Berlin. They discussed Bolivia’s remote, breathtaking scenery, and their family photo albums revealed stunning images of the country’s diverse terrains-mountains, deserts, jungles, and high-altitude plains. Inspired by these visuals, Sciamma quickly drafted a screenplay within a week, captivated by the idea of exploring such an extraordinary setting.
Symbolism and Spirituality in Cielo
The film weaves spiritual and religious symbolism, notably through motifs like fish and the concept of heaven. Sciamma, who was born in Spain-a country with deep Catholic roots-shares, “I’m not religious myself, but I’ve always been fascinated by religious imagery, like the depiction of Jesus in hyper-realistic art. Religion, to me, is rooted in fundamental questions about existence. Despite scientific advances, we still gaze at the sky and wonder, ‘What’s really happening out there?’ These questions fuel the essence of faith. Without them, religion wouldn’t exist.”
However, Sciamma emphasizes that Cielo isn’t a religious film. “I don’t see it as a story about faith,” he clarifies. “It’s a multifaceted story about love, family, our relentless pursuit of redemption, and the universal desire to find a better place-whether that’s a physical location or a state of mind. The grass is always greener somewhere else.”
Crafting a Subtle and Immersive Narrative
When developing the story, Sciamma set a simple rule: to create a narrative that evokes emotion without over-explaining, and to embed genuine love and subtlety into the core of the film. “I wanted viewers to feel rather than analyze,” he says. “The entire experience-images, colors, music, sound-is designed to immerse you in a mysterious, hypnotic journey. I admire films that transport you to unfamiliar spaces, where you discover new worlds beyond what you’ve been told.”
The Visual and Sensory Experience
Sciamma aimed to craft a visceral viewing experience, where every element-visuals, sound, and music-works together to captivate the audience. “It’s about taking you on a ride you didn’t expect,” he notes. “After watching the film at Porto, I found myself smiling, asking, ‘What just happened?’ I realized that the film’s magic lies in its unpredictability-like jumping into a pool that turns into the ocean, then a river, constantly shifting. It’s meant to disorient and delight.”
Working with Young Talent and Indigenous Wrestlers
Sciamma considers himself fortunate to have discovered Fernanda Gutiérrez Aranda, who was only seven years old when they first met via Zoom. Despite her lack of professional acting experience, her natural charisma and authenticity impressed him. “She radiates innocence and sincerity,” he recalls. “She was already reading Harry Potter at the time, which showed her intelligence and curiosity.”
Guiding her was straightforward: “Be yourself, avoid acting, and stay true to your feelings,” Sciamma explains. “She was the best actor I’ve ever worked with because she didn’t fake anything. She fully experienced every emotion-tears, laughter, everything. Even in the most challenging scenes, she felt genuine. I just had to guide her tone-whether serious or playful.”
Remarkably, Gutiérrez Aranda adapted seamlessly to last-minute script changes, memorizing new lines just minutes before shooting. Sciamma praises her talent and hopes to collaborate again, citing her as a promising future star.
Authentic Portrayals of Indigenous Wrestlers
Incorporating Bolivia’s cholitas into the film was a rewarding experience. These women, who have gained international recognition for their strength and resilience, played versions of themselves. “They had never acted professionally, but their lively personalities made filming a joy,” Sciamma shares. “They’re incredibly spirited-singing, joking, and full of energy.”
Sasha Salaverry, who portrays the wrestler The Reina, adjusted her character to better reflect her real-life persona. “In the original script, her character was more outspoken, but Sasha is more subtle,” Sciamma notes. “So, I tailored the tone to match her natural style.”
Bolivia’s Unique Filming Environment
Sciamma’s experience filming in Bolivia left a lasting impression. “Bolivia is the only place I’d return to for shooting,” he affirms. “While it lacks the high-end studio infrastructure of other locations, its raw creativity and resourcefulness are unmatched. The country’s diverse landscapes-La Paz’s urban sprawl, the arid deserts, lush jungles, and towering mountains-offer an unparalleled backdrop for storytelling.”
Future Projects and Expanding the Narrative
Building on the success of Cielo, Sciamma is already working on a sequel. “I’m writing a second part that begins in the jungle, a setting we only touched upon in the first film,” he reveals. “The story will explore new terrains and deepen the themes of spiritual and physical journeys.”
However, he emphasizes that his creative process remains rooted in solitude. “I usually disconnect from the world when I write, working alone on my laptop,” he explains. “This allows me to craft stories that are personal and immersive, and I prefer to keep the sequel’s development private until it’s ready for the festival circuit.”
Courtesy of Luchadora Films
