About the film
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
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One could say there are thousands of stories to tell, more spectacular, magical or dramatic than this one, but I wholeheartedly believe that it is in daily life that we find the stories that most allow us to identify with its characters, their struggles, and their experience. These stories impact our own character, our collective humanity, in a way that the last two years of life on this planet have left us especially thirsty to re-discover.
The life of Maribel Liberman is an example of struggle, exertion, success and above all, the role that love and family have had in seeing her through her challenges. Maribel is a Latina immigrant that arrived in the U.S. with a just suitcase and her dream. She didn’t know the language or the culture, but with her desire to rise above her circumstances she opened a path for herself in one of the largest and most complex cities in the world.
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Mariebelle is a film about more than professional success, it is a story of discovery, love, memories and emotions and how the values and conviction of a determined woman allowed her to navigate her world and conquer the challenges before her each day. The film begins at a critical point in this successful New York entrepreneur’s career when she receives shocking news that puts her business at risk. She faces this as she simultaneously works through a series of personal and existential problems threatening her marriage and faces a long-held secret she can no longer keep quiet.
Aesthetically, Mariebelle seeks to present an image representative of the real Maribel Liberman, an elegant, poised woman, always wearing a pleasant smile. The photography, music, costuming, design and acting quality will represent Maribel’s exquisite style. The narrative includes profound and expressive scenes with sincere, credible dialogues that range from dramatic to playful, and intelligent conversations worthy of the real-life personality they portray. For reference to similar styles, aesthetics and narratives, I would submit films such as The Danish Girl, The Theory of Everything, or Luisa Spagnoli.
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Mariebelle is the story of a woman who came from one of the poorest countries in Latin America to one of the wealthiest, most powerful cities in the world to teach us all that chocolate is something to be “eaten with your mouth but enjoyed with all of your senses”. This woman shows us how fidelity to her roots allows her to weather her storms and grow to towering heights. Mariebelle is a story we can identify with, a story that should be told.
Mario Ramos was born in Honduras. He is TV producer and filmmaker, and seven-time Emmy Award winner. Of his cinematographic work, the highlights are his debut feature "La Condesa", and the short films "Come back to us", "Chocolate" and the documentary "Brigade".
He is the director and founder of Cabezahueca Films, and co-founder of Ágrafos, a magazine of literature, art, and politics. He is also Honorary Ambassador of Plan International Honduras.
