06/02/2006

Julio Medem is back behind the cameras with another fictional project after his unexpected and controversial feature documentary debut about ETA terrorism, Pelota Vasca (2003). Principal photography of his seventh feature, Caótica Ana, is due to start on Ibiza on February 13, with shooting scheduled to last 11 weeks in Madrid, the Canary Islands, New York and Arizona.

The script - which according to Medem went through eight drafts before being ready to shoot - tells the story of Ana, a teenager who finds out during hypnosis that her life is the continuation of the lives of women from ancient times, all of whom died under tragic circumstances at the age of 22. Convinced she will meet a similar fate, Ana decides to leave her native Ibiza and seek out a different kind of life. Years later in New York, she will try to fool a death that seemed early and inevitable.

The film stars newcomer Manuela Vellés as Ana, as well as Spanish singer Bebe, Lluis Homar, Matthias Habich and UK actress Charlotte Rampling, for whom this will be her first Spanish production. And if the casting brings new acting talents into the director's universe, the crew is full of his regular collaborators, including DoP Mario Montero, director of production Koldo Zuazua, and Alberto Iglesias, who will compose the film original score.

Produced by Sogecine, Alicia Produce and Volcano Films, Caótica Anahas a €5m budget and will be the first European film to be shot in High Definition with the Sony HDCam 950, often used for Hollywood blockbusters, including Star Wars III.