Once Upon a Time in the Andes

Once Upon a Time in the Andes (Spanish: Érase una vez en los Andes) is a 2023 Peruvian war romantic drama film directed, written and co-produced by Rómulo Sulca.^[1][2] It stars Maribel Baldeón and Juan Cano.^[3] It is a love story between a peasant woman from the central Andes of Peru with a Chilean soldier during the War of the Pacific.^[4]

Once Upon a Time in the Andes
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rómulo Sulca
Written by	Rómulo Sulca
Produced by	Rómulo Sulca Jhon Pizarro
Starring	Maribel Baldeón Juan Cano
Cinematography	Sara Brusciano
Edited by	Maricet Sancristóbal
Music by	Karin Zielinski
Production company	Catacresis Cine
Distributed by	V&R Films
Release dates	November 27, 2023 (2023-11-27) (IFFI) September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) (Peru)
Running time	86 minutes
Country	Peru
Languages	Quechua Spanish

Synopsis

Lautaro, a Chilean soldier, is surprised with his troops in the campaign in the central mountains of Peru, badly injured and being the only survivor of the War of the Pacific, he is revived by Margarita, a local woman who was herding her cattle in the surroundings. There will begin a love story despite language and cultural barriers.^[5]

Cast

• Maribel Baldeón as Margarita
• Juan Cano as Lautaro
• Agustina Alarcón
• Felix Poma
• Beto Pomacanchari
• Moises Quichua

Production

Principal photography began on June 14, 2021, and ended on July 12 of the same year in Sarhua, Ayacucho.^[3]

Release

Once Upon a Time in the Andes had its world premiere on November 27, 2023, at the 54th International Film Festival of India^[6][7][8] then was screened on February 8, 2024, at the Ibero American Film Festival Miami.^[9] It was commercially released on September 5, 2024, in Peruvian theaters.^[10]