Philanthropist, author and Maria Full Of Grace actor Orlando Tobon has co-written the script for independent drama Dona Blanca, which is being produced by New York-based Dona Blanca LLC.

Carlos Bolado will direct. He previously directed Oscar-nominated documentary Promises in 2002.

The project is budgeted around $2.85m. Dona Blanca will shoot in location in Colombia and New York City. The team plans to use the RED Camera.

Tobon will produce with his co-writer Diego Rojas and Maria E Nelson. Maria Monsano will executive produce.

Tobon played himself in Joshua Marston’s Maria Full Of Grace and also served as that film’s associate producer; he is also the author of Jackson Heights Chronicles.

Dona Blanca - based on a true story - is a family drama about a mother and daughter who journey from Colombia to the US. The mother, Dona Blanca Monsalve, is a domineering force who pushes her beautiful daughter into modeling. The daughter then meets a New York businessman who seems to promise a new life but who harbours a dark secret. When they are struggling, the mother and daughter meet Orlando Tobon who offers advice about living life simply.

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