The second feature film by Valencian director Lucía Casañ Rodríguez, titled Bypass, has completed its filming stage in various enclaves of the Valencian Community. Among the chosen locations are the municipalities of Benifaió, El Mareny, and Sueca, all within the Ribera region, as well as the Faculty of Medicine in Valencia.
The film, a 'road movie' written and directed by Casañ, features a cast including Hwidar Abdelatif, Resu Belmonte, and Teresa Lozano. The plot explores the dichotomy faced by the main character when considering an operation to implant a pig's heart, a decision that generates social controversy and drives her into isolation, leading to a process of "wilding" and a mystical bond with the animal. The story addresses mental health and communication from a comedic perspective with fable-like undertones.
Producer Ana Camacho, from Turanga Films, highlighted the team's connection with nature, facilitated by their love for animals. During filming, time was shared with a Malaga piglet named Lady, who plays a co-starring role, as well as a large blonde cow and several chickens. The director noted that the team was captivated by the beauty of Albufera, and even brought a telescope to observe birds during free moments.
The producer expressed gratitude for the collaboration of the town councils and residents of the Ribera municipalities, who fully supported the project and facilitated the filming. In Benifaió, the team filmed for three days in an old uninhabited traditional house, Casa de Rubert, transforming Ermita Street into a cinematic set with artificial rain. Exterior scenes were shot in El Mareny, where roads and Albufera landscapes were sought, finding an abandoned gas station and a disused rice mill that played a significant role in the film.
In addition to the Ribera locations, the 'road movie' also filmed in other Valencian municipalities such as Sagunto, Valencia, Gilet, Rocafort, Massanassa, and Buñol. The production, a co-production between Spain and Uruguay, is supported by institutions such as the Institut Valencià de Cultura and Televisión Española. Bypass is expected to hit cinemas next autumn, while the director is already working on her third film project.
