The Yellow Affair Snags San Sebastian New Directors Contender ‘Morro’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Helsinki and London-based The Yellow Affair has snatched up world sales rights to Rodrigo García Saiz’s drama “Morro” ahead of its world premiere at the New Directors’ sidebar of the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sept. 18.

Shot in 35mm in rural Mexico amid a backdrop of simmering violence, it centers on veterinarian Mateo, who is devastated by the loss of his son and is struggling to make sense of his life. Everything changes when the titular Morro, the badly injured dog of a feared local crime boss, is brought to his clinic. Saving the dog could put Mateo in danger, but walking away means leaving Morro to die.

As Mateo cares for Morro, an unlikely friendship takes root. Through the wounded dog, he begins to rediscover compassion, connection and a sense of purpose.

Mateo is played by Gustavo Sánchez Parra, best known for his roles in seminal drama “Amores Perros” (2000) and Caméra d’Or winner “Leap Year” (2010).

“Representing ‘Morro’ is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, an unexpected light can find its way into our lives. Gustavo Sánchez Parra’s performance, together with Morro himself, brings warmth and tenderness against a backdrop of violence,” said The Yellow Affair sales executive Alexandra Cruz.

With ‘Morro,’ we are reconnecting The Yellow Affair with Latin American cinema following the festival favorite ‘Reinas’ (2024), and continuing to bring stories to our slate that we hope will resonate and spark conversations with audiences around the world.”

The film was made with the support of Mexican tax incentive Eficine 189. It is García Saiz’s second feature, following his well-received debut “Rain” (“Lluvia”), which competed at the Malaga Film Festival in 2024.

“Morro is a film I made with my heart and my hands. There is so much of me in its search for light in the darkness and in the need to believe that, even after profound loss, the most unexpected connections can help us find our way back to life. I wanted to capture the tenderness that survives pain. I’m deeply happy that the film has found a home with The Yellow Affair. I feel they have embraced not only the story but also the part of myself I poured into it,” said García Saiz.

Morro is a production of Mexico’s Central Films, Calouma Films and The 42 Film, in co-production with EFD. The film is produced by García Saiz, Paola Cortés, Alberto Müffelmann, Julia Cherrier and Pablo Guerrero García Rojas.

The Yellow Affair’s latest pickup dovetails with its mandate to back a wide range of projects with robust international appeal. It recently acquired “The Lion at My Back” by Tonia Mishiali, which won the Grand Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The company’s upcoming thriller-horror film “11,” directed by Clàudia Serra and Paula Serra, is set to world premiere in the official competition section of the Sitges Film Festival, Europe’s preeminent genre film fest.