More exciting news for you, lovers of the dark horrors of the South (South America, that is)! It turns out that last year here in Buenos Aires one screenplay won, unanimously, the prestigious award for "Best screenplay for a first feature," which means the INCAA (Film Institute of Argentina) will provide funding for the project. The film I'm discussing is EL TUNEL DE LOS HUESOS (roughly translated: TUNNEL OF BONES), and it's based on the true story of a group of convicts who, while escaping from prison through a tunnel they dug, discover human bones buried under the prison years earlier.

Written by Ignacio Garassino (who's also the director) and Daniel Martucci - with the collaboration of Germ?n Val - EL TUNEL DE LOS HUESOS is based on an investigation by criminal journalist Ricardo Ragendorfer - famous in my country for his expose of an enormous police corruption ring during the 1990's. Yes, this really happened, and Ragendorfer investigated the facts meticulously.

Of course, the screenplay uses the real story as an excuse to go its own way, and mixes suspense with humor and the overall horror of the situation. The convicts must deal with the fact that they are surrounded by the dead--whose sleep they disturb. Maybe something supernatural will happen. . . or maybe not. EL T?NEL DE LOS HUESOS is a prison break story that takes a different route from classics like ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION or even PRISON BREAK (Season 1, at least).

Garassino cut his teeth working both on TV and films for the past two decades, and is one of the country's best kept secrets when it comes to upcoming filmmakers. Having worked in TV shows like the prestigious EL OTRO LADO (THE OTHER SIDE) - which spawned a strong cult following and chronicled the strangest things happening in Buenos Aires - and even as assistant director in various movies, he's part of a generation of local filmmakers who, on the verge of midlife crisis, are going to take over the Latin American film world in the years to come.

The fact that INCAA is giving filmmakers like this a chance to shine is a good sign, after years of ostracizing them. A while ago, this would never have nhappened, but it seems that under the watch of new INCAA president Liliana Mazure, things are finally changing. Maybe Argentina will become known outside of its boundaries for more than the classic "social dramas."

Cutting to the chase: EL TUNEL DE LOS HUESOS can be the stuff of legends. Pray for it to get theatrical US distribution or you'll be missing something big. And if you see it screening at a film festival near you by the end of the year, or in 2010 - when it'll be finished - take your friends to see it and make them worship you for your good taste.

You can watch the teaser trailer for EL TUNEL DE LOS HUESOS here (it's in Spanish, sorry).