14/12/2022 - The black comedy was shot in Barcelona in October and November, with Arturo Valls, Malena Alterio and Julián Villagrán heading the cast

A few weeks ago, shooting wrapped – on location in Hospitalet (Barcelona) – for Mala persona (lit. “Bad Person”), a film directed by Fer García-Ruiz (who made his debut last year with Descarrilados [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). The black comedy stars popular presenter, actor, producer and showman Arturo Valls (whose latest release was Camera Café, la película [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and who previously performed in the feature debut by this very same director), Malena Alterio (glimpsed earlier this year in Mamá no enRedes [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Julián Villagrán (appearing in Contando ovejas [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: José Corral Llorente
film profile] this year), with guest appearances by comedian José Corbacho and young actress Sara Jiménez (the series The Age of Anger).

The film tells the story of Pepe (played by Valls), who, after he is diagnosed with a terminal illness, decides to become the worst person in the world so that his family and friends will stop loving him, and therefore they won’t miss him when he dies.

According to García-Ruiz, “No matter how much we deny it, the more enjoyable things happen on the dark side. In fact, our protagonist will end up being much more appealing when he begins to behave badly. I find that attraction and the morbid fascination awakened by inappropriate behaviour very interesting. Why are characters as disparate as Joker, José Luis Torrente and Risto Mejide so successful? Being a little bit evil sells. I love mainstream cinema; giving people a great time and thinking about the general public. I hope that this will be an entertaining, very visual and cheeky comedy that can connect with everyone, and I hope especially that it doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. It’s an ode protesting against the do-goodism that is currently coursing through our society, where political correctness is gospel,” sums up the filmmaker.

Antonio Mercero (The Invisible [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gracia Querejeta
film profile]) and Daniel Padró (the short film Psicario), the screenwriters for this feature, remark on how, “on his path towards evil, the main character will cross the red lines that nobody dares cross: he will turn misogynistic, xenophobic, adulterous, insensitive, selfish and obscene. He will have to keep up a fake personality and do so convincingly because his aim is to be hated by everyone. The screenplay is an attempt to accompany Pepe on this exercise of moral cross-dressing. And it intends to do so in a jokey, objectionable and politically incorrect tone. We wish to prod people’s consciences, pull back veils, step on people’s toes and break taboos… And eventually make Plato turn in his grave.”

Mala persona is a production by Rodar y rodar (Mar Targarona, Marina Padró and Joaquín Padró), Boavista Filmes and Mala Persona AIE. It boasts the involvement of RTVE, TVC, the ICAA and sales agent Film Factory Entertainment, which is selling it overseas. The movie will be released in Spanish cinemas courtesy of Filmax.

(Translated from Spanish)