The last time we reported about Mathieu Demy's debut feature "Americano," it was about to premiere at TIFF last September in hopes of finding American distribution. It looks like it found it with MPI Media Group, who is releasing the film in limited release this weekend. With days left before its release, a new trailer has arrived.
"Americano" tells the story of Martin (Demy), a Frenchman who travels to his childhood home in Los Angeles after the death of his estranged mother. There, he finds his mother has left her apartment to the mysterious Lola (Salma Hayek), whom he knew from childhood. Martin travels to Tijuana to find Lola, and eventually discovers her at a strip club called the Americano. In case you missed it, yes, Hayek will play a stripper for the first time since 1996's "From Dusk 'Til Dawn." And while she may not be a vampire in disguise this time (spoiler!), the trailer posits Hayek as another untrustworthy character, albeit one that takes her clothes off.
Demy is in full auteur mode in "Americano," not only acting but writing, directing and producing as well. The result looks like a beautifully shot meditation on family secrets, even turning Tijuana into a grimy city of intrigue. Demy, the son of filmmakers Agnès Varda and Jacques Demy, has cast the film with other offspring of iconic film artists, including Geraldine Chaplin (the daughter of Charlie Chaplin), playing Linda, a family friend of Martin's who helps him once he arrives in L.A., and Chiara Mastroianni (daughter of actors Catherine Deneuve and Marcello Mastroianni) playing Claire, Martin's ex. Carlos Bardem, brother of Oscar-winner Javier Bardem, also appears in the movie.
"Americano" opens this Friday. Hayek can also be seen in the upcoming "Savages," but, as far as we know, she won't be stripping in it. [JoBlo]