In 1960s Peru, a privileged French-Peruvian woman’s life unravels when her husband’s betrayal ostracizes her from elite society, and leads her to embrace people from the very communities that she was raised to disregard. Amidst the backdrop of newfound alliances, she embarks on a transformative journey that challenges societal norms and reveals Peru’s authentic identity through a daring culinary venture that celebrates the country’s remarkably diverse cuisine and peoples, igniting a revolution that redefines her life.
Ricardo de Montreuil
Born in Lima, Peru de Montreuil is a feature film and commercial director currently residing in Los Angeles. In his youth, he studied painting at the Trujillo Fine Arts School and later he was trained by the renowned Peruvian painter, Pedro Azabache. De Montreuil graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BA in Graphic Design, an MA in Graphic Design and a minor in Film and Art History. He later studied directing under Judith Weston in Los Angeles.
His debut feature film, “La Mujer de mi Hermano” (My Brother’s Wife), based on a novel by the controversial Peruvian author, Jaime Bayly, was acquired by distributors Twentieth Century Fox for distribution in Latin America, and by Lionsgate for US theatrical distribution. My Brother’s Wife is one of the most successful films in the history of Latin American exhibition and enjoyed both the largest release and biggest opening weekend box-office for a Spanish language film in the US at the time.
His second film, “Mancora”, was selected for competition in the World Drama category at the Sundance Film Festival 2008 and screened at SXSW at Edinburgh International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, São Paulo International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival and Bergen International Film Festival.
De Montreuil directed the feature film “Lowriders”; for Universal Pictures, which was produced by Brian Grazer and Jason Blum and starred Academy Award nominee Demian Bichir. Currently, he is in the post-production phase of his upcoming feature film, “Mistura”, starring Barbara Mori and produced by Ivan Orlic.
Director Statement
MISTURA is a deeply personal project, encapsulating my roots and the first six years of my life spent in Lima, Peru. The memories of those early days remained etched in my mind as my family embarked on a journey to Trujillo, where I grew up before pursuing my filmmaking dreams in the United States.
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Lima, MISTURA subtly challenges preconceived notions, beckoning audiences to embrace the richness of life’s flavors and experiences. Drawing inspiration from intimate family narratives, particularly the echoes of my grandparents’ divorce and the lasting imprints it left, the film’s genesis was profoundly influenced by these personal stories.
MISTURA narrates the journey of a woman grappling with societal judgments and personal betrayals, seeking solace by immersing herself in Peru’s varied cultural and culinary heritage. This gastronomic odyssey becomes a catalyst for her to reevaluate life and societal expectations.
This film is a tribute to the beauty and diversity of the Peruvian people and the extraordinary gastronomy that stems from their rich heritage. It celebrates the evolution of Peru’s culinary landscape, now epitomized by renowned restaurants like “Central,” which stand as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity deeply ingrained in Peruvian culture.
MISTURA comes after an introspective filmmaking journey, notably my second film, MANCORA, which premiered at Sundance in 2008. That experience profoundly impacted my artistic perspective. Now, 15 years later, with a deeper understanding of life and a more mature lens, I feel compelled to share another piece of my beloved Peru. This time, it’s a tapestry woven with the threads of cultural diversity and the flavors of our extraordinary cuisine.
Director:
Ricardo de Montreuil, (La Mujer de Mi Hermano (2005), Mancora (2008), The Raven (short film, 2010), Lowriders (2016))
Writer:
Ricardo de Montreuil
Producer:
Ivan Orlic, (Murder of a Cat (2014), Pele: Birth of a Legend (2016), Intrigo: Death of an Author (2019), Intrigo: Dear Agnes (2019), Intrigo: Samaria (2019), The Space Between (2021), Eating Our Way To Extinction (2021))
Talent:
Barbara Mori, "Norma Piet" (Rubi [tv, 2004], La Mujer de Mi Hermano [2005], Viento en Contra [2011], Treintena Soltera y Fantástica [2016], El Complot Mongol {2019]) -
Pudy Ballumbrosio, "Oscar Lara" -
Christian Meier, "Roberto Tapia" (No Se Lo Digas A Nadie [1998], La Mujer de mi Hermano [2005], El Zorro y la Rosa [2008], Magallanes [2015]) -
Stefano Meier, "Gerard Tapia" -
Juan Pablo Olyslager, "José Eyzaguiree" (La Llorona [2019], Temblores [2019]) -
Hermelinda Luján, "Rosa" (Willaq Pirqa [2022]) -
Vanessa Saba, "Mariana Woodman" (El Elefante Desaparecido [2014], Margarita [2016], En Las Mejores Familias [2020]) -
Marco Zunino, "Kiko Ledgard" (Margarita [2016], En Las Mejores Familias [2020], De Caperucita a Loba [2023]) -
Junior Bejar, "Juano" (Retablo [2017], Takanakuy [short, 2023]
Ricardo de Montreuil
This film is a tribute to the beauty and diversity of the Peruvian people and the extraordinary gastronomy that stems from their rich heritage. It celebrates the evolution of Peru’s culinary landscape, now epitomized by renowned restaurants like “Central,” which stand as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity deeply ingrained in Peruvian culture.
