Black Mandala films (New Zealand/Argentina) led by Michael Kraetzer and Nicolas Onetti, and Urban Achievers S.A.(Paraguay) headed by René Ruíz Díaz, will co-produce the sequel to the movie “The Red Book ritual” ” which will bear the title “The Red Book ritual 2: The Gate of Hell”
The bloody sequel will be filmed during the first half of 2024 on sets in Asunción and will mark the beginning of a series of collaborations between both production companies aiming to turn the capital of Paraguay into a hub for genre cinema production and to boost the work of local talents who have long been developing projects related to horror and thriller.
It is estimated that in the coming days the scouting phase and talent selection through an open casting will begin.
The movie “The Red Book ritual” was distributed in more than 100 countries and had widespread distribution on platforms.
The story revolves around a group of people who gather in a stately mansion, the scene of a massacre from the past, to perform the ritual of the ‘Red Book’. With the help of spirits, they try to reconnect with their deceased loved ones. However, by opening that door to the unknown, they might unleash a terrifying fate. On this occasion, the dead will walk among the living again.
To start the game, you need an old book with a red cover, without a drawing on the front, which acts as a spirit conduit. The lights must be turned off and the room illuminated only with red candles. The standard question to start the ritual is: “Red Book, may I enter your game?” The book will reveal the answers to all your questions, but it’s important to know that the game can’t end until the book itself indicates… now, what happens if your host is a malevolent entity thirsty for blood?
My country harbors a wealth of unexplored stories, and a series of favorable elements such as the availability of young and talented professionals, an economical production environment, low tax burden, and a collaborative spirit in the teams. My goal is not limited to the local market but mainly targets regional and international markets, including English-speaking ones. We are forging strong collaborative alliances with colleagues in the region, which I am sure will boost our production volume in the coming years,” asserts Ruíz Díaz.
Horror cinema has become one of the highest-grossing genres globally. And particularly, Latin American horror cinema is at one of its best moments in decades. We believe that this alliance with Paraguay will further enhance the production and artistic quality of Latin American cinema, ensuring that the movie transcends borders,” Onetti stated.
Nicolas Onetti is a producer, director, and screenwriter. He was born in Azul (Argentina) and currently has over forty productions in his filmography, including the successful “What the Waters Left Behind”, “The Game of the 100 Candles”, and “A Night of Horror: Nightmare Radio”, among others.
René Ruíz Díaz made his debut in the film world with the executive production of the movie “The Seekers” by Tana Schembori and Juan Carlos Maneglia and is currently collaborating as a producer on “Do Not Enter”, a climactic horror movie directed by Hugo Cardoso (Morgue) and is preparing the horror feature film “Cursed” to be shot during the second half of 2024.
