The "
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" premiere has been a resounding success. The mega-production, filmed in Peru almost entirely, showcases the beautiful and ancient landscapes of Cusco (Machu Picchu) and San Martin (Tarapoto) regions.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the film's producer, confessed that it was his idea.
"I always wanted to go to Machu Picchu; it was one of the biggest desires of my life. The great thing about Transformers is that it allows you to go to these marvelous places. Peruvian culture and the jungle are incredible. We couldn't have had a better experience," he said.
The reception of Peru during the filming, in the midst of the pandemic in 2021, and the connection with its people were appreciated by Steven Caple Jr., the film's director.
He chose Cusco to give a magical presentation to the 'Maximals,' a new race of robots that will assist the 'Autobots.'
"The locations are beautiful, and I felt that there was a lot of history that could be incorporated with the Maximals and much history to learn. Now the pressure is to ensure that Peru is happy with what we have on screen, as we highlight its culture," Caple Jr. stated.
On the other hand, the film's protagonist, Dominique Fishback, highlighted the energy and mysticism of Cusco.
"A shaman came to bless the land. It was an incredible experience," she said.
For his part, Anthony Ramos also shared his experience on set.
"Peru is the film’s main character, with its festival, people in their costumes, and artistic displays. You can simply feel it," he commented.
Ramos was referring to the
Inti Raymi festival, recreated in the film, which involved more than 800 extras, including dancers, musicians, and
actors.
For the first time in the history of the saga, a robot will speak the Quechua language, the most widely spoken indigenous language in Latin America.
"It's my favorite part of the movie. One of the things we had never done before was to have a transformer speaking a language other than English. We wanted to respect the native culture, indigenous people, and their cultural heritage. One of the messages of the film is for Optimus to trust the people, and this scene shows that connection through a language we hadn't used before," Di Bonaventura said.
During exclusive interviews with a PromPeru team that traveled to New York,
the actors and directors received a silver chain made by Peruvian artisans with the characteristic logo of the Autobots. The chain had inlays of spondylus and sodalite stones.
Retablos with Cusco designs were also delivered.
At the premiere and Red Carpet event, New York was adorned with Peruvian red and white posters at the Kings Theater. The Peruvian brand was showcased in Times Square with bright panels.
Peru: destination for filming
In the past two years, major international film studios have recognized Peru as an attractive destination for filming locations.
This is evident in the feature films, short films, series, and documentaries that have been shot in our country, such as "La Reina del Sur," "No Mires Arriba," and "Dora y la Ciudad Perdida," among others.
All of these audiovisual productions received continuous support from PromPeru through its
Film in Peru strategy, providing them with an unforgettable filming experience.
PromPeru also aimed to promote the country as a film destination, showcasing the identity and image of Peru.
The astonishing geography and rich culture make Peru a destination with countless locations and diverse settings where all kinds of stories can be told. Peru is history, nature, culture, and adventure.
Premiere
The film premiered in Peru on June 7. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," which features Peru and its people as main characters, can be enjoyed in 2D and 3D, as well as special formats such as 4DX, MacroX screen, XD, Atmos.
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" opened in the United States on June 9, 2023.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 6/11/2023