Mexican filmmaker Elisa Miller (“Hurricane Season”) is teaming up with “Roma” producer Nicolás Celis and his Pimienta Films on a legal drama-cum-psychological thriller that the duo is pitching this week at the Venice Production Bridge’s Gap-Financing Market, which runs Aug. 30 – Sept. 1.
“Legítima” is based on the remarkable true story of Yakiri Rubio, a young woman who was kidnapped and raped by two brothers in Mexico City in 2013. After killing one of her attackers in self-defense, Rubio wound up finding herself behind bars and charged with murder in a case that shocked and scandalized the nation. The film is based on “En legítima defensa,” a book written by Ana Katiria Suárez, the charismatic and unconventional lawyer who took up Rubio’s case, doing battle with Mexico’s corrupt and misogynistic legal system until justice was finally served and the young woman was freed.
Speaking to Variety from Mexico City, Miller admitted she hadn’t followed the Rubio case too closely until, two years ago, Celis gave her a copy of Suárez’s book about the groundbreaking trial. “When Nico Celis gave me the book, I called him 24 hours later — because I read the book in 24 hours — and I said, ‘Dude, this is a fucking awesome story. We should make this film,’” said Miller.
“And he said, ‘I knew it!’” Miller met the producer in 2006 when they partnered to make her short film “Watching It Rain” (Ver Llover), which won the Palme d’Or.