Christine Neubauer films in Chile – a Mallorca feeling in the Atacama

Christine Neubauer films in Chile – a Mallorca feeling in the Atacama

How a Mallorca resident uses northern Chile as a second home and turns a long film project into a personal return

When the first delivery vans roll along Passeig Mallorca and an espresso on the plaza ends up lukewarm on the table, one hardly thinks of the dusty silence of the Atacama. And yet it is precisely to that place that a woman is traveling whom by now we consider a neighbour: Christine Neubauer. The actress, who has maintained a life on the island for years, is currently on set in Chile for an internationally conceived road movie and combines private and professional fragments into a whole.

The production is called "La Puta Vida" and is being made as a co-production between Chile, Colombia, Germany and Spain. Filming takes place at several locations in northern Chile; the film is directed by Sebastián Araya Serrano. Neubauer takes on the role of a woman searching for her roots — a character that apparently appeals to her not only professionally but also touches her personally. Alongside her are well-known names from Latin America, including Claudio Cataño and Tamara Acosta. Filming continues until mid-August.

For many of us on Mallorca this is a pleasant reminder of how small the world has become. A few days ago the couple formed by Neubauer and the Chilean photographer and producer José Campos officially tied the knot on the island. Now they return for filming to José's homeland: location and place of memory at the same time. The historic church of Chiu Chiu, situated at the edge of the desert, is for the couple more than a backdrop — it was where their shared story began.

In everyday life on Mallorca such connections often appear in miniature: the German-speaking woman selecting tomatoes at the weekly market in Santa Catalina; the Chilean reading the newspaper in the café at Portixol and lingering a few minutes longer to watch the sunset. Such scenes are familiar; they make the island a place where people from different worlds meet, a dynamic explored in "Our office is the island": When filming becomes an opportunity and when it becomes a burden for Mallorca. Neubauer's project invites a broader view: film, family and home intertwine, and the result extends Mallorca's reputation for openness a little further.

If anyone now fears this is only a glamorous short trip, they are mistaken. Preparations for the project were extensive — financing rounds, international partners, research. For her role Neubauer spoke with women connected to historical injustices in Chile; these encounters challenged her emotionally. Such research shows how serious the work behind an international shoot can be, and how far-reaching the impact is when artists make real fates visible.

Why is this good news for Mallorca? First, because it strengthens the island's cultural connections. Residents who participate in international productions act as ambassadors — in the best sense. They bring experience and networks that local projects can benefit from: festivals, collaborations with film schools, guest lectures at workshops. It's not just about glamour, but about passing on expertise acquired here.

A practical thought: when the film makes the rounds next year, cinemas and cultural venues on Mallorca could provide a platform — premieres, panel discussions, meetings between audiences and those involved. Such evenings not only bring culture into conversation, they also create work for technicians, translators and organisers on the island; local shoots have shown this effect, for example in Film Crew in Camp de Mar: 1,000 Extras Wanted – A Chance for Mallorca's Off-Season. Local premieres and festival showings can also raise Mallorca's profile, as discussed in How a Small Mallorca Film Conquered the Netflix World.

On a human level the image Neubauer paints in Chile remains: two places of life that enrich each other. At the end of the day we may again sit on the Plaça Major, hear the clatter of chairs and know that acting does not only tell stories but builds bridges. Those who are curious can look forward to a film that connects personal history and vast terrain — and hope that Mallorca remains a little more in the conversation.

Outlook: It's worth keeping an eye on further developments: a festival appearance, local talks with filmmakers or a screening with a background discussion would be good opportunities to deepen the links between the island and South America.