Taskovski acquires Chocolate Mountain, produced by Venice Winner

Taskovski Films distribution agency has acquired Susanna della Sala’s Last Stop Before Chocolate Mountain, produced by Marco Visalberghi, winner of the Venice Golden Lion for Sacro Gra. The film celebrates its world premiere on Tuesday at the Locarno Film Festival as part of the Critics’ Week section.

The documentary takes place in a small Californian town called Bombay Beach, in the middle of a desert and next to a toxic lake. The town was run down and almost a ghost town until an influx of artists led to its rejuvenation. However, there was tension between the older residents and the newcomers.

In a statement, Della Sala said: “The documentary grew out of a personal life experience and its creative process took four years. For me, Last Stop Before Chocolate Mountain represents a universal and metaphorical land where we confront ourselves and awaken our creative impulses in the mirage of individual liberation. The film embodies the desperate and joyful collective longing for acceptance and belonging.”

Visalberghi added: “When Susanna della Sala came to us with her magical footage in 2019 after her recent long stay in Bombay Beach, I realized how much this unique community had captured her imagination. Personally, I have always been fascinated by life stories from the end of the world, be it the “Holy” Gra of Rome or the desert of California. That’s why I decided to bet on this young and original director.”

Visalberghi produces together with Sherin Salvetti for DocLab. Camera is by Andrea Jose di Pasquale. The original soundtrack is by Vittorio De Vecchi. Editors are Aline Hervè, Della Sala and Elisabetta Abrami.