Spiner to helm 'Olvido'

MADRID -- Fernando Spiner, whose Gaucho Western "Aballay" walked away using the lion's share of kudos at Monday's Argentine Oscars ceremony, will adapt another Argentine classic: "Mas alla del olvido." Argentina's foreign-language Oscar submission, "Aballay" adjusts a celebrated short story by Antonio Di Benedetto. Helmer-scribe Spiner's "Olvido" is really a remake from the Argentine movie of the identical title directed by Hugo del Carril in 1956. The amour fou tale has Del Carril being an Argentine ranch-owner tripping in Paris upon a cabaret dancer who's a defunct ringer for his deceased wife. Taking her to Argentina, he attempts to change her in to the spitting picture of his former spouse. But tragedy strikes once again. "Del Carril may be the Orson Welles of Argentine cinema, a director, actor, producer, film writer and music performer," stated Spiner. The 1956 "Olvido" adjusts 1892 novel "Bruges-la-Morte," by Belgium's Georges Rodenbach. Spiner stated it inspired 1954 French crime novel "The Living and also the Dead," acquired by Alfred Hitchcock for that 1958 pic "Vertigo." "Olvido" is to establish at Spiner's Buenos Aires label, Boya Films. Spiner aims to enter production late 2012, shooting in Argentina. On Monday, Spiner scooped eight Argentine Oscars for "Aballay," including director, actress (Moro Anghileri), cinematography and modified script. "Aballay" has become moving out major territory sales for Kevin William's KWA, Willams told Variety. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com