Gaumont Pacts with Writer/Director Lucía Puenzo

Gaumont has signed a multi-project development deal with Lucía Puenzo, the Argentine writer and director whose credits include CROMO, XXY, La Jauría and The German Doctor.

Projects in the works include Futuro Desierto, a near-future, dystopian thriller centered around a robotics engineer who moves his family to a remote town in Patagonia, where he is tasked with secretly testing the first humanoid robots. Puenzo will be co-showrunner alongside Nicolás Puenzo (co-director of CROMO and La Jauría). Both will direct multiple episodes of the series.

Gaumont and Puenzo are also developing This is Not a Love Song, about Tina Modotti, the eccentric Italian feminist photographer, model, actress and revolutionary political activist. Puenzo will serve as showrunner and direct the series. Lucas Akoskin and Leonor Varela will exec produce, with Varela cast as Modotti.

“Lucia is an extraordinary talent with a strong track record of creating compelling and visually captivating stories, and we are thrilled to be working with her on these two projects,” said Christian Gabela, Gaumont’s senior VP, creative executive and head of Latin America and Spain.

“The Gaumont team has shown remarkable expertise, innovation and intelligence in their feedback, making our collaboration one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” Puenzo added. “I could not be more excited and confident with the projects we’re bringing to life together. Their insight is vital to create more inclusive, diverse, culturally authentic and relevant stories.”