| Los Frikis | |
| Director: | Tyler Nilson Michael Schwartz |
| Producer: |
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| Screenplay: | Tyler Nilson Michael Schwartz |
| Starring: |
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| Cinematography: | Santiago Gonzalez |
| Production Companies: |
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| Distributor: | Wayward/Range |
| Runtime: | 105 minutes[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | Spanish |
Los Frikis is a 2024 American drama film based on true events, set in Cuba in the 1990s. It is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, who also wrote and directed The Peanut Butter Falcon. It stars Héctor Medina, Eros de la Puente and Adria Arjona, and is produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Inspired by the audacity and resilience of kindred souls facing the challenges of Special Period Cuba, this film tells the story of youthful members of a punk rock band, who, seeking musical freedom, relief from poverty, and a sense of independence, purposely infect themselves with HIV.[2] This allows them refuge at an isolated government run sanatorium where they live life on their own terms, forging a seemingly utopian community and looking to an uncertain future with hope and resilience.
The film is written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. New Slate finances the film with Schwartz and Nilson as producers alongside Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, as well as Rebecca Tomlinson for Lord Miller. Adria Arjona is an executive producer and a member of the cast as sanatorium nurse, Maria, alongside Héctor Medina and Eros de la Puente as brothers Paco and Gustavo.[3]
Beyond Puerto Rican born Adria Arjona, the cast is made up entirely of native Cubans, in order to facilitate authenticity. Writer/director Schwartz learned to become an effective Spanish speaker to aid and authenticate script development as well as communication with the cast and crew. The filmmakers encouraged actors to give feedback and improvise to facilitate accuracy in the film's depiction of Cuban culture. The production used historical objects and materials instead of replicas where possible and constructed period accurate sets.[4] [5]
Principal photography took place in Dominican Republic.[4] [6] The work of Los Frikis cinematographer Santiago Gonzalez has been recognized by IndieWire as "some of the best of 2024".[7]
Film Editing was done by Jon Otazua, who received the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival's Best Narrative Editing Award for his work on LOS FRIKIS.[8]
The soundtrack by Steven Price includes musical influences that inspired the real world Frikis in their rebellion, including The Rolling Stones and Nirvana.[9]
Los Frikis had its world premiere at the Miami International Film Festival in April 2024, where it received a standing ovation and was awarded the Marimbas award.[4] In October 2024, Wayward/Range acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for a December 25, 2024, release.[10]
Evoking a range of emotions - from mirth and joy to sorrow - and characterized as a tribute to friendship, love, community and resilience,[2] the film has gone on to win multiple festival jury and audience awards including best narrative feature and/or audience awards at the 2024 Nantucket Film Festival,[11] the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival, the 2024 Sidewalk Film Festival, the 2024 Middlebury New Filmmakers Film Festival,[12] the 2024 Crested Butte Film Festival,[13] the 2024 Tallgrass Film Festival,[14] the 2024 SCAD Savannah Film Festival[15] and the 2024 Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival[16] as well as a 2024 Shine Global Resilience Award [17] and the Heartland International Film Festival's 2024 Richard D. Propes Narrative Social Impact Award.[18] Héctor Medina (as Paco) was recognized with a Best Performance Award at the 2024 San Antonio Film Festival.[12] Jon Otazua was recognized by the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival for his editing of Los Frikis.[8]