Action drama-thriller “Unguarded,” the second movie as a director of Mario Casas, toplined by Mario and Óscar Casas as underground bare-knuckle MMA fighters, will be brought to market by Film Factory Ent. at this week’s AFM.
Film Factory will handle international sales.
International star Mario Casas (“The Invisible Guest,” “Cross the Line,” “Bird Box Barcelona)” leads a powerful talent and producer-distribution package of writer Eduard Sola (“A House on Fire,” “Querer”), star Oscar Casas (“Idols”) and producer Nostromo Pictures (“Monitor,” “Apocalipsis Z,” “The Invisible Guest”) and A puño descubierto AIE. Nostromo produces in association with Movistar Plus+ (“La Bola Negra,” “The Beloved” and “Sirāt”) with the participation of HBO Max.
Warner Bros. Pictures will release the film theatrically in Spain in 2027.
Described as a grounded, high-intensity action drama and a raw and emotional story of brotherhood, guilt and survival, “Unguarded” (“A puño descubierto”) turns on Luis, who survives in the world of underground fighting world alongside brother Daniel, whose fraternal bond is called “as strong as it is fragile.”
One sibling dreams of escape, the other remains trapped. “Caught between loyalty, necessity and difficult decisions, both must face their own limits. ‘Unguarded’ is a story about brotherhood, sacrifice and the possibility (or impossibility) of escaping an inherited destiny,” the synopsis runs.
Tania Noriega (“Lady Altagracia”), Migdalia H. and Javier Oliveras complete the cast.
Shot with two cameras and long takes hugging the actors and lasting in some cases as much as 20 or 30 minutes – which allows Mario Casas to remain onscreen and adds a larger realism to scenes, he has commented – “Unguarded” went into production in April shooting for six-and-a half-weeks in lesser known parts of Barcelona, with some fight scenes lensing on Canary Island Gran Canaria.
Fight sequences were choreographed to capture the reality of such combat. Óscar Casas trained intensively for months alongside combat-sports professionals to prepare for the role.
That said, “This is not a fight movie,” said Casas. “It’s about how two brothers relate to violence. We are following the characters all the time, creating a real place. What I want is for the shoot to feel alive. I’m very happy to be telling this second story as a director.”
“We are delighted to team up again with Nostromo and to accompany Mario Casas on his second film as a director,” said Film Factory Director Vicente Canales.
“‘Unguarded’ is an intense, emotional and deeply physical story, powered by the unique chemistry between Mario and Óscar Casas, and we are convinced it will connect strongly with audiences and buyers worldwide,” Canales added.
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