,” ”Across the River and Into the Trees”), a fictional story turning on the prominent Spanish mystic and religious reformer Saint Teresa of Jesus.
The feature is not a classic biopic, but rather a free adaptation of the text written by Mayorga – a winner of Spain’s National Prize for Dramatic Literature – which in turn, is based on “The Book of Life,” by Saint Teresa herself. Spanish actress Blanca Portillo, recent Goya-winner for “Maixabel,” plays the adult Teresa. The Inquisitor role is taken by Asier Etxeandía, seen in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” who is back working with Ortiz after her feature debut, “The Bride.” “A Thief’s Daughter’s” star Greta Fernández limns a younger Teresa.
Produced by Álex Lafuente and Valérie Delpierre, “Teresa” is backed by La Lengua en Pedazos A.I.E. tax vehicle and production houses Bluebirds Films and Inicia Films , in co-production with Nu Boyana Portugal.