U.S.-Venezuelan producer Elizabeth Avellán has completed principal photography on the supernatural thriller 'Bonded,' starring Oscar-nominated actor Demián Bichir alongside his daughter Gala and brother Bruno. The English-language film, directed by Gisberg Bermúdez, explores themes of grief and time through intertwined family tragedies. Shot primarily in Tenerife's Canary Islands, the project marks Avellán's push to establish a new film production hub there.
Production Overview
'Bonded' follows Louis Abrams, a grieving father played by Demián Bichir, and his daughter Ruth (Gala Bichir) as they seek refuge in a haunted farmhouse after a tragic accident. The story weaves their loss with that of a 1920s family, including Anna Heller (Ingrid García-Jonsson) and her son Ethan (Nil Gomez), connected through visions and time slips inspired by quantum physics concepts. Paz Vega appears as Sarah, Louis' late wife, with Bruno Bichir as Isaac and Michael Stobbe as Rabbi Sholem Minda. Additional cast includes Malena González.
Principal photography wrapped after four weeks in La Esperanza, Tenerife's forested interior, and one week in Austin, Texas. Produced by Anaga Media Productions under the Canary Islands Special Zone, the film benefits from a 4% corporate tax rate and 45-50% incentives. Avellán, known for Robert Rodríguez's 'El Mariachi,' 'Desperado,' 'Machete,' 'Predators,' and the 'Spy Kids' series, is developing a Texas-Canary Islands production pipeline, including Bermúdez's prior horror 'Gara’s Return.'
Avellán's Vision
Avellán, whose great-grandparents emigrated from the Canaries to Venezuela, emphasized long-term investment: "Despite having my whole career in Texas, I wanted to firmly invest in the Canary Islands. For us it was important not just to come here once, shoot and leave. We wanted to plant roots – build a company, keep coming back and make this a real hub."
The film also serves as a training ground for local talent, linking with island educational programs. Now in editing, 'Bonded' is slated for completion in six months, targeting spring festivals like SXSW. Anaga plans more thrillers, genre projects, and documentaries from Tenerife, highlighting the islands' diverse locations and cultural stories.