Earlier this year, distribution company Breaking Glass Pictures acquired North American rights to the Dominican/Mexican/Argentinian co-produced drama, titled "Dolares de Arena" (“Sand Dollars"), a Dominican Republic-set drama that follows the long-time relationship between a beautiful and impoverished young local girl and her wealthy European lover, which is put to the test as issues of class, inequality and exploitation are introduced.
The film has now been selected by the DR as its entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar consideration at the 88th Academy Awards.
The country has submitted a total of 8 films for Oscar consideration in the Foreign Language Film category, since the first one in 1983, although none of the 8 has gone on to be shortlisted and nominated. In fact, the DR has submitted a film every year over the last 5 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and now 2015), but no nominations – at least, non yet. Could this year be different? We’ll find out when the Academy announces the eventual 5 films that will contend for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2016.
Directed and produced by Dominican couple Laura Amelia Guzman and Israel Cardenas, the film is based on the novel “Les Dollars des Sables” by Jean-Noel Pancrazi, and stars Geraldine Chaplin and Yanet Mojica as the older European woman and the young Dominican girl respectively.
Ricardo Ariel Toribio rounds out the starring cast.
DR’s Aurora Dominicana, Mexico’s Canana Films and Argentina’s Rei Cine co-produced the drama which made its world premiere at TIFF last fall (2014).
"The film is a gorgeous meditation on old age, loneliness and love, anchored by a luminous performance by the exquisite Geraldine Chaplin," said distributor Breaking Glass co-president Richard Ross, adding, "We’ve been pursuing the film since TIFF and Ventana Sur and are overjoyed to bring its beauty to North American audiences."
A November 6 USA theatrical release is planned.
An older trailer follows below; although Breaking Glass may cut and release a new one closer to the film’s US premiere:
