‘Loving Pablo’ Actress Julieth Restrepo To Lead Story Of “Colombian Suffragette” Esmeralda Arboleda

Arboleda, was a Colombian politician and the first woman elected to the Senate Of Colombia, serving from 1958-1961. A leader of the women’s suffrage movement in the country, she played an intrinsic role in achieving universal voting rights for women in the 1950s.

The new film will chart how Arboleda managed to convince 70 of the most powerful men in Colombia to approve the vote for women, despite the powerful influence of the country’s religious right.

Colombian actress Restrepo, also known for Amazon and AGC series Noticia De Un Secuestro with Juan Pablo Raba, and Netflix mini-series Griselda with Sofia Vergara, is due to star with Elkin Diaz (Memoria) and Claudio Cataño (Thousand Fangs).

Agora Films and El Circo Film are producing. Actress, producer and writer Patricia Castañeda will make her feature directorial debut based on her script. Funding comes from the Colombian film commission and the country’s tax rebate, private sources, product placement, and Agora Films.

Director Castañeda told us that the project has particular resonance right now given that Colombia earlier this year voted to decriminalise abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, marking a major victory for reproductive rights in the country. This follows a string of similar victories in other Latin American countries.

Restrepo is repped by Maria-Clara Lopez in Colombia and Global Artists Agency and Trademark Talent in the United States.