Peruvian filmmaker Ani Alva Helfer has called for the decentralization of the national film industry following the production of her latest comedy in Tarapoto.
The director said her new film, Separada, pero nunca sola, was shot in the high jungle city to highlight regional talent and natural landscapes. The movie opens in theaters nationwide on September 3.
Showcasing regional culture
In an interview with La República, Alva Helfer explained that the production displays Tarapoto in all its splendor. She said the inclusion of local culture and idiosyncrasies would make any Peruvian viewer feel proud.
Alva Helfer has become one of the most commercially successful directors in Peruvian cinema over recent years. Her previous comedy, Soltera, casada, viuda, divorciada, broke historical box office records for a national release and became a major milestone for the country's post-pandemic box office.
Historically, Peruvian film production has been heavily centralized in the capital city of Lima. Recent initiatives by filmmakers to shoot in the provinces aim to build regional industries, train local technical crews and tell more diverse stories.
Alva Helfer previously directed the movie Isla bonita in Iquitos, a major port city in the Peruvian Amazon that is famous for being inaccessible by road. Her latest project shifts the focus south to Tarapoto. Located at the foot of the Andes mountains, Tarapoto is a bustling commercial hub in the San Martín region known as the City of Palms.
Alva Helfer said filming in Tarapoto was a gift for both herself and the entire production crew. She credited the region with providing a unique energy through its memorable scenery.
The director said a primary goal of the project was to promote regional cinema. She argued it is important to look beyond the capital and decentralize film production, not just for the sake of beautiful backgrounds but to discover and employ local actors and technicians.
She described the new comedy as proof that such decentralization works, adding that while the plot could be adapted to any setting, the beauty of Tarapoto made it the ideal location.
Local talent and jungle weather
The film stars established Peruvian actors Emilia Drago, Nicolás Galindo, Joaquín de Orbegoso, Ximena Palomino and Armando Machuca. It also features local performers from Tarapoto, including Brandon Pereira and Ximena Luna.
Alva Helfer said producer Chichi Fernández was impressed by the wonderful regional technical crew and the local acting talent they found. The director added she felt fortunate to direct the Tarapoto actors.
Shooting in the Amazon presented logistical challenges for the technical team, primarily due to the unpredictable tropical climate. The high jungle is prone to sudden, heavy downpours that can disrupt outdoor filming schedules.
The director recalled situations where the crew was caught in the rain while trying to shoot scenes that required dry weather. She joked that the production team ended up acting like Senamhi, Peru's national weather service, as they constantly tried to forecast the conditions.
Despite the weather challenges, she said the technicians captured wonderful scenes, noting that dealing with the elements is the reality and beauty of filming in nature.
Cast reactions and local premiere
The production held its first advance screening in the center of Tarapoto. Alva Helfer expressed deep emotion about the local premiere, noting that attendees arrived in three-wheeled motorcycle rickshaws known locally as motocars. She said there was no better way to celebrate the film than by sharing it directly with the local residents.
The cast also spoke about their experiences filming in the jungle during a press conference on August 28.
De Orbegoso described the production as a dream that began a year ago, saying he would carry the experience in his heart forever. He said his time in the jungle had a profound impact on his life, adding that Peru is a beautiful country and its citizens live in a privileged place.
Machuca expressed pride at being cast alongside colleagues he described as experts. He praised the beauty of the jungle setting and said the film, which blends romance and humor, was a wonderful gift. He encouraged audiences to spread the word about the upcoming release.
The two Tarapoto actors, Pereira and Luna, were also highlighted for their standout appearances at the regional premiere.
