Bella
Carlos and Marena are trying to have a baby. After considerable time employing all means possible in order to conceive to no luck, they decide to find the joy missing in their lives by adopting a baby in the middle of the covid crisis.
They meet a lawyer who specializes in finding parents for unwanted pregnancies to work with them. Carlos and Marena will embark in an emotional journey to find the missing piece to bring joy to their lives.
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Bruno IrizarryDirector200 Cartas, Yerba Buena, 23 Horas, Bella
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Bruno IrizarryWriter
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Chaz MenaWriterBella,
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Lizaida RiveraProducer
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Bruno IrizarryProducer
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Ariel AnnexyProducer
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Chaz MenaProducer
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Aris MejíasKey Cast"Marena"
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Ernesto ConcepciónKey Cast"Carlos"
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Project Type:Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 40 minutes 9 seconds
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Completion Date:March 1, 2024
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Country of Origin:Puerto Rico
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Country of Filming:Puerto Rico
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Language:Spanish
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Shooting Format:Alexa Mini
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Aspect Ratio:2:39
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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New York Latino Film Festival - San Juan EditionSan Juan
Puerto Rico
November 1, 2024
Puerto Rico Premiere -
Puerto Rico Film FestivalMayagüez
Puerto Rico
August 27, 2024
Puerto Rico Screening
Best Film - Best Director - Best Actress - Best Editor -
Chicago Latino Film FestivalChicago
United States
April 10, 2025
North American Premiere -
Premios PlatinoMadrid
Spain
Pre selected for nine nominations
Bruno Irizarry is an actor, screenwriter, and director in theater and film. His debut film, the comedy "Shut Up and Do It!" starring him and Pedro Capó, was featured in several U.S. film festivals and won the American Latino TV award in 2008. As an actor, he's appeared in notable plays like "Anna In The Tropics," "Love, Valour and Compassion!," and "West Side Story." On TV, he's been in shows like "White Collar" and "Blue Bloods," and in films alongside legends like Robert De Niro in "The Good Shepherd" and Johnny Depp in "The Rum Diary." Irizarry founded Vanguardia Films, an independent production company, and their first project, "200 Cartas," starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, was a box office hit and aired on HBO. Currently, Vanguardia Films is working on several projects, including "Yerba Buena," "23 Horas," and the upcoming dramas "Bella", "Casa Pura," and "La Puerta" set for 2025 releases.
"Bella" is inspired by a true story. I vividly remember the day a dear friend confided in me about the challenges he and his wife faced while trying to conceive. After numerous attempts and several heartbreaking miscarriages, they decided to try in vitro fertilization and hormone injections. Unfortunately, when those efforts also failed and to fill the joy missing in their lives, they decided to adopt.
Their journey deeply moved me, staying in my thoughts for a long time. Later, I learned that another close friend had also struggled with infertility and eventually decided to adopt after unsuccessful in vitro attempts.
These shared experiences revealed a common struggle faced by many, and with the collaboration of my dear friend Chaz Mena, we brought these stories to life in "Bella." This story is a testament to the quest for a dream, the pain of loss, and, most importantly, the enduring power of hope.