We have had to wait four years to hear about a new project from the director of Thesis. Since the premiere of The Sea Inside, his most recent and award-winning film, Alejandro Amenabar has kept his promise and taken a long holiday before starting to think about what his next film would be. However, those who know him are aware that the former “young hope” of Spanish cinema, now at the top of his profession, has been figuring this story out for a while and it will finally start to be filmed in March, on the historic island of Malta. The Greatest Super-Production in Spanish Cinema History Although Amenabar jealously guards the details surrounding his productions, a few facts about the project are beginning to leak out. For example, we know it’s going to be filmed in English, will feature international stars and has a budget estimated at over fifty million euros. Rachel Weisz, winner of an Oscar for The Constant Gardener by the Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, has a leading role in Amenabar’s film, co-starring Oscar Isaac, one of the most promising new talents in international cinema who we will shortly be able to see in action in Steven Soderbergh’s latest film Guerrilla (aka Che). Interestingly enough, this film was shot in Spain. In addition to the cast, the director has surrounded himself with a technical crew very used to working on these kinds of productions. For example, the rumor is that the Artistic Director will be Guy Dyas, who was responsible for the production design of films like Superman Returns, X Men 2 or the fourth sequel in the Indiana Jones saga, due to be released in Spain on the 23rd May. With regard to production, it appears that Telecinco Cinema might make a major contribution, in a transaction (though on a larger scale) similar to those they undertook for Alatriste, Pan’s Labyrinth and The Orphanage. A Story of Love and Adventure in Ancient Egypt The best-kept secret remains the storyline. So far, we have found out that it concerns the story of Orestes, a slave who is converted to Christianity in order to try to gain his freedom. Conflict arises when he falls in love with his owner, a philosophic atheist who belongs to a different caste. While waiting for more news, we are eagerly awaiting the film’s release.