Get ready for a cinematic thrill ride that blends crime, romance, and music in the most unexpected ways! Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar’s El Deseo, the powerhouse behind groundbreaking films, has teamed up with Infinity Hill, known for the critically acclaimed Argentina, 1985, to co-produce Queen of the Falls—a project that’s already sparking buzz. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a crime-fueled road trip romance starring Pamela Anderson and Guy Pearce truly redefine the genre? And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just a love story; it’s a raw, music-driven odyssey about freedom, betrayal, and the cost of escape.
Led by Oscar-winning producer Mollye Asher (Nomadland) and Shruti Ganguly (Initials S.G.), the film is written and directed by the dynamic duo Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia, whose work on Initials S.G. earned them critical acclaim. Joining them are Wrong Turn Productions, Frutacine, and Maneki Film, ensuring a global collaboration that’s as ambitious as the story itself. Executive producer Phin Glynn, co-founder of Infinity Hill, rounds out the team, bringing his U.K.-based expertise to the table.
Queen of the Falls follows two lovers on the run: a roadkill cleaner (Anderson) and a fugitive (Pearce), as they race toward Niagara Falls in a high-voltage tale that’s equal parts love story, fever dream, and tragedy. Asher and Ganguly rave, ‘From the first page, Rania and Daniel’s script gripped us—dangerous, darkly funny, and profoundly human.’ But what makes this project truly stand out? It’s the fusion of pop music, cheap Americana, and the ghost of romance itself, creating a film that’s as whimsical as it is violent.
Pamela Anderson, Golden Globe and SAG-nominated for The Last Showgirl, and Guy Pearce, an Oscar-nominated Emmy winner for Mildred Pierce, are set to deliver performances that will linger long after the credits roll. Anderson herself notes, ‘Music has always intrigued me, and though this film isn’t a typical musical, its musical elements are inspiring and unexpected.’ Speaking of music, Grammy and BAFTA winner Marius De Vries (La La Land) is composing the score, while Celia Rowlson Hall (Aftersun) handles choreography, and Sue Jacobs (Promising Young Woman) supervises the music—a dream team for any film.
But here’s the bold question: Can Queen of the Falls balance its wild, love-on-the-run narrative with its musical ambitions? Anderson and Pearce’s chemistry will be key, and their dedication to blending raw emotion with whimsical storytelling is undeniable. As Global Constellation’s Fabien Westerhoff puts it, ‘With Pamela and Guy at the wheel, it captures the danger, humor, and irresistible pull of love on the edge.’*
Production is set to begin in Niagara Falls by early next year, with Vuelta’s Global Constellation handling international sales at the AFM in Los Angeles. CAA, Anonymous Content, and Gersh are jointly repping North American rights. Attieh and Garcia, who previously won the Someone to Watch Independent Spirit Award for H and earned a Tribeca nomination for Initials S.G., are no strangers to pushing boundaries. But this time, they’re taking it further—much further.
So, what do you think? Can Queen of the Falls live up to the hype? Is this the kind of film that will redefine crime-romance hybrids, or is it biting off more than it can chew? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
