Private Project

Veneno: The First Fall

The origin and rise of the most famous wrestler of all time in the Dominican Republic, Rafael Sánchez aka Jack Veneno, and his arch-nemesis, José Manuel Guzmán aka Relámpago Hernández. Two childhood friends that, inspired by El Santo movies, became the biggest wrestlers and Dominican pop culture biggest icons.
It's 1966. Jack Veneno moves to NYC leaving his wingman Josema in an country submerged in crisis and social revolution. When he comes back three years later he finds a very different country, and a very much different friend, who now becomes his arch-enemy due to the fame and glory of becoming superstars in the ring of lucha libre.

  • Taba Blanchard
    Director
    La Montaña
  • Taba Blanchard
    Writer
    La Montaña
  • Riccardo Bardellino
    Writer
  • Miguel Yarull
    Writer
    La Gunguna, Loki 7
  • Marien Zagarella
    Writer
  • Fernando Rivas
    Producer
  • Manny Perez
    Key Cast
    "Jack Veneno"
  • Pepe Sierra
    Key Cast
    "Relampago Hernandez"
  • Richard Douglas
    Key Cast
    "Vampiro Cao"
  • Ovandy Camilo
    Key Cast
    "Silvio Paulino"
  • Yamile Shecker
    Key Cast
    "Doña Tatica"
  • Xiomara Rodriguez
    Key Cast
    "Doña Sión"
  • Taba Blanchard
    Editor
    La Montaña
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Veneno, Primera Caída: El Relámpago de Jack
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    action, drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 36 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 12, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    2,500,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Dominican Republic
  • Country of Filming:
    Dominican Republic
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 22, 2018
  • Dominican Republic Theatrical Release
    Santo Domingo
    Dominican Republic
    February 22, 2018
    dominican republic
  • USA theatrical release
    NYC
    United States
    April 18, 2018
    north american premier
Distribution Information
  • Spanglis Movies
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Theatrical
  • caribbean films distribution
    Country: Dominican Republic
    Rights: Theatrical
    Country: Puerto Rico
    Rights: Theatrical
Director Biography - Taba Blanchard

Taba Blanchard. Born march 22, 1974. Dominican Republic.
Director/Editor/Animator/Musician.
CEO at La Visual Sonora, film production company stablished in 2003 specialized in advertising, visual content and music videos.
In 2013 releases "La Montaña" (The Mountain), a documentary film about the first caribbean expedition to Mt Everest, which earned the Audience Award at the Miami International Film Festival that year.
in 2018 releases his first feature film "Veneno: The First Fall", a film that tells the story of the famous 70's and 80's Dominican wrestlers Jack Veneno and his nemesis Relámpago Hernández. The film wins 15 awards at the La Silla Awards; Best Feature Film at the International Action Film Festival in NY; and Best Cinematography at the Sydney Independent Film Festival, Australia. Nominated in 4 categories at the Prague Film Awards.
His work on tv advertising has participated at the London International Advertising Award, Ojo de Iberoamérica, FIAP, among others.
Music videos for Juan Luis Guerra, Sofía Reyes, Gabriel, Denisse Quinones, Pacha Massive, Pavel Núñez, El Poeta Callejero, among others.

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