Kino Lorber has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the interval Chilean mystery The Meltdown, the sophomore function of actress-turned-writer/director Manuela Martelli (God Will Not Help, The Future), which had its world premiere within the Un Sure Regard part of this yr’s Cannes Movie Competition.
The corporate will launch the movie theatrically in early 2027, adopted by a digital, instructional, and residential video launch.
The follow-up to writer-director Martelli’s Normal Augusto Pinochet-era political thriller Chile ‘76 stars Maya O’Rourke, Maia Rae Domagala, Saskia Rosendahl, Jakub Gierszal, Paulina Urrutia and Mauricio Pešutić. The Hollywood Reporter featured the movie as a hidden gem of the Cannes 2026 program.
Set in 1992, simply two years after the top of Pinochet’s regime and amid Chile’s “economic miracle,” nine-year-old Inés is staying at her grandparents’ Andean ski resort whereas her mother and father attend a commerce convention in Seville. She befriends Hanna, a German teenager coaching to be a aggressive skier whereas rebelling towards the strictures of her regimented life. When Hanna vanishes with out a hint and her mom enlists Inés’ assist as a translator, the seek for the lacking teenager raises questions and exposes hidden truths that take a look at the younger woman’s loyalties and echo her nation’s darkish historical past.
The deal for The Meltdown was negotiated by Kino Lorber vp of acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and Alex C. Lo of Cinema Inutile.
Along with the U.S. deal, the movie has been bought internationally by Alice Lesort of Les Movies du Losange to France (Les Movies du Losange), Benelux (Think about), Switzerland (Trigon-Movie), Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Greece (Bizarre Wave), Turkey (Chantier Movies), Iceland (Bíó Paradís), Poland (Cinobo) and CIS excluding Ukraine and the Baltic nations (Common Distribution). The movie may also be distributed in Chile (El Camino), Spain (Elastica) and Mexico (Piano).
“I am very happy to be renewing our collaboration with Kino Lorber and Trigon Film, [which] released Chile ’76 in the United States and Switzerland”, stated Martelli. “It is very encouraging to know that The Meltdown will have a life in so many territories. That is what ultimately gives a film its true meaning and purpose: reaching people.”
And she or he emphasised: “The Meltdown deals with a moment in Chile’s history when democracy was only just beginning to recover after a long period of dictatorship. I hope that this exercise of revisiting history will resonate with audiences around the world and help us feel closer to one another. In the end, I believe our histories are often far more connected and similar than we tend to imagine.”
Dwyer stated Kino Lorber was “thrilled” to be reteaming with Martelli, highlighting that her “previous film Chile ‘76 was a hit with U.S. critics and audiences alike.” And she or he added: “With The Meltdown, she once again brilliantly employs elements of mystery/thriller filmmaking to explore Chile’s political history from the perspective of strong and complex female protagonists.”
The Meltdown was produced by Alejandra García for Ronda Cine in Chile, Alex C. Lo for Cinema Inutile within the U.S. and Andrés Wooden for Wooden Producciones in Chile. It was co-produced by María Zamora for Elastica Movies in Spain, Julio Chavezmontes for Piano in Mexico and Pablo Díaz for Fundación Río in Chile.
