35mm crime thriller captures Albuquerque to LA in Omar de Soto's debut

Omar de Soto’s first feature, *Crime Novella*, wrapped production this summer after a shoot that spanned Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Mexico. The romance‑crime thriller follows two lovers on the run as they fight to keep their relationship intact.

Percy Hynes White and Jeff Wahlberg headline the cast, joined by Zlatko Burić, Bobby Soto and Ava del Cielo.

The film was shot on 35 mm film and is written, directed and produced by de Soto himself. Production was supported by Paul Bennett IV of Replica and Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment, with executive production from Roland Emmerich.

The project was financed by Centropolis and co‑produced by Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward.

While the story has been described as a “modern descendant of *Badlands* and *Wild at Heart* with a transgressive spirit,” de Soto said the cast “couldn’t have been more fitting.” He praised the chemistry between Hynes White, Wahlberg, Burić,

Soto and del Cielo for bringing his vision to life on screen.

## Background & Context

*Crime Novella* centers on a pair of lovers who go on the run to save their relationship, discovering how far they must go to stay together. The film is de Soto’s first feature as writer‑director‑producer and was shot entirely on 35 mm film.

Production wrapped during the summer, with principal photography taking place across multiple U.S. cities—Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Las Vegas—and Mexico.

The production team includes Paul Bennett IV of Replica and Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment, who financed the feature. Roland Emmerich is credited as executive producer. Co‑producers Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward also played key roles in bringing the project to completion.

De Soto’s own remarks emphasize his pride in the cast and crew, noting that the film was made “on our own terms” and highlighting the creative freedom of the production.

## Cast Highlights

Percy Hynes White, best known for his role as Xavier Thorpe on Netflix’s *Wednesday*, also starred in the Sundance‑selected coming‑of‑age comedy‑drama *My Old Ass*. He is represented by Innovative Artists and Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ), as well as Sloane Offer.

Jeff Wahlberg recently appeared in season 3 of HBO’s *Euphoria* and is represented by Innovative Artists, Leverage Management and Sloane Offer. The cast’s European star, Zlatko Burić, won Best Actor at the 35th European Film Awards for his role in Ruben Östlund’s *Triangle of Sadness*, which took the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2022.

He is represented by Art Management.

Bobby Soto, known for his leading role with Shia LaBeouf in David Ayer’s *The Tax Collector*, is represented by Innovative Artists, Anonymous Content and Goodman, Genow.

Ava del Cielo, whose credits include Netflix’s *House of Cards*, *From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series* and MGM+’s *Get Shorty*, is represented by Mitchell & Associates Talent.

## Production & Release

The film’s financing and production were handled by Centropolis Entertainment, with Roland Emmerich serving as executive producer. De Soto emphasized the importance of the cast’s chemistry, noting that each actor “brought their own special sauce” to the project.

He also highlighted how Burić, Soto and del Cielo added depth to a “whimsical world” that feels lived in.

*Crime Novella* was shot on location in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico, using 35 mm film to capture its distinctive visual style. Production wrapped this summer after a rigorous schedule that saw the crew navigate multiple cities and international locations.

The film is slated for distribution after wrapping, with no official release date announced yet. The production team remains optimistic about the project’s future, .

In sum, Omar de Soto’s *Crime Novella* brings together a talented ensemble cast, a distinct 35 mm aesthetic, and a story that promises to explore love and survival on the edge. The project marks a significant milestone for de Soto as he steps into feature filmmaking with a team that shares his vision.