Los Angeles, Sept. 30, 2024 (Lusa) - A short film starring Portuguese actress Kika Magalhães, with its director Sam Raimi in the cast, has had its world premiere at the Beyond Fest horror festival in Hollywood.
The short 'Stop Whining and Start Winning' is part of the official selection at the 12th edition of Beyond Fest, considered the biggest festival of its kind in the US, and features a performance by the director of the Spiderman trilogy that stars Tobey Maguire, produced between 2002 and 2007.
"The film involves Sam Raimi because it's directed by his daughter," Magalhães, who lives in Los Angeles, told Lusa. "There was a role that was perfect for him and we suggested that she ask her father to be part of the film. He said yes."
Written by Chris Marrone, the husband of Kika Magalhães, the short film was directed by Emma Raimi at the end of last year and produced by the Portuguese-American couple.
"The film is a black comedy about a team of contract killers in which one of them decides at the last minute that he's not fit for the job because of the self-help book, 'Stop whining and start winning', explained Magalhães. "That set off a series of less opportune events."
Marrone came up with the idea when Emma Raimi, whom he met in Los Angeles, expressed her desire to realise a project. The participation of the better-known Sam Raimi ended up giving the short more attention.
"It was really spectacular to work with him," said Magalhães. "He was really nice and comical."
The actress - who is known for the films "The Eyes of my Mother" and "The Girl in the Back Seat" - considered it important to premiere the production at this festival.
"To be part of Beyond Fest is spectacular because it's a very prestigious festival, where films with big names in horror, such as Mike Flanagan and Sean Baker, [are in] play," she said.
The short is part of a block that also includes films by well-known directors such as Maika Monroe, Brea Grant and Jackson Stewart.
In addition to the world premiere, which took place on Saturday as part of the festival's shorts section, 'Stop Whining and Start Winning' was also part of a special series by the American Cinematheque, which on Sunday honoured Sam Raimi with the screening of three films and a question-and-answer session.
Beyond Fest runs until 9 October in Los Angeles.
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