Venice Bound Once Again? Álex de la Iglesia’s ‘La Chispa De La Vida’

Alex De La Iglesia recently commented on his chosen screen pair for the still-in-production La Chispa de La Vida, “I know it’s an unbelievable starring couple: the top Latin representative in the Spanish-speaking star system and a Spaniard comedian. I know they do not match up, but because of this they’re going to be the perfect couple. I chose them because I am fed up with all that is conventional, I am tired of films having to be coherent and I believe it is going to be very funny to have them together.” Apparently the filmmaker hasn’t heard of either Javier Bardem or Penélope Cruz, as the big star he is referring to is Salma Hayek and comedian José Mota.

Unlike his previous films, this one wasn’t scripted by De La Iglesia or long time collaborator Jorge Guerricaechevarría, but Randy Feldman (Tango & Cash). More specific plot details were revealed: Mota plays Roberto, a jobless publicist who get recognized anymore for coming up with the famous tagline “La Chispa De La Vida” for a famous Coca-Cola company ad campaign. After a tragic accident that leaves him hanging on place between life and death and with no one being able to agree on how to rescue him, he decides to take advantage of the coverage of the event and transform it into a media circus in order to sell the rights of his story and therefore secure a money deal that will save business wise his wife and kids in case he doesn’t survive.