French Production Company Halley Production Joins Thriller 'Carro Seco,' Featuring a Killer Targeting Unethical Barcelona Real Estate Speculators

Unmasking Urban Injustice: A Vigilante's Deadly Game Against Greed

Halley Production Partners on 'Carro Seco' at Iberseries & Platino Industria

Halley Production, based in Paris, has officially joined the team for Javier Polo's thriller, "Carro Seco" (also known as "Carreau"). This project is scheduled to be featured at the upcoming Iberseries & Platino Industria's Co-Production and Financing Forum in Madrid, marking a significant step in its development.

A Transnational Collaboration for a Gripping Narrative

For "Carro Seco," Halley Production is collaborating with València's Los Hermanos Polo Films, a company managed by Javier Polo and his brother Guillermo Polo, alongside Barcelona-based Lastcrit. This partnership signifies a strong Spanish-French cooperative effort in bringing the film to fruition.

The Unsettling Premise: A City's Housing Crisis and a Killer's Justice

The urban thriller unfolds in Barcelona, a city grappling with a severe housing crisis and widespread evictions. The narrative revolves around an enigmatic serial killer who targets affluent real estate speculators, individuals profiting from the silent despair of housing displacement. His chosen weapons are unexpected: heavy metal pétanque balls.

The Vigilante's Persona: A Modern-Day Robin Hood with a Deadly Game

Portraying himself as a housing vigilante, the killer adopts the guise of a vintage pétanque player. His actions are fueled by the profound social repercussions of gentrification, as he rationalizes his brutal deeds as acts carried out for the greater good of the community.

Public Opinion Divided: Hero or Psychopath?

As two detectives delve into the investigation, public sentiment is sharply divided. The murderer is perceived by some as a heroic figure fighting for housing justice, while others view him as a dangerous psychopath. This moral ambiguity forms a core element of the film's appeal.

The Director's Vision: Challenging Morality Through Thriller

Javier Polo describes "Carro Seco" as a psychological thriller that confronts contemporary social conflicts, particularly silent evictions and real estate speculation. He emphasizes the film's unique blend of this social commentary with distinctive, ritualistic iconography, transforming a seemingly innocent game like pétanque into a deadly instrument, underscored by French chansons. Polo aims to present viewers with an uncomfortable moral dilemma concerning justice, personal boundaries, and empathy.

Halley Production's Extensive International Co-production Portfolio

Halley Production boasts an impressive history of international co-productions, including critically acclaimed and commercially successful cross-border projects such as Javier Fesser's 2018 hit "Champions," Manuel Gómez Pereira's 2025 Goya-winning Spanish film "The Dinner," and the forthcoming drama "Primo Viaggio."

A Synergistic Franco-Spanish Partnership for a Universal Theme

Andrea Marcelli, a partner at Halley Production, expressed the immediate resonance he felt with "Carro Seco's" concept. He highlighted pétanque as a shared cultural element across both countries, providing a unique foundation for a social thriller. Marcelli noted that Barcelona's gentrification issues mirror those in Paris and other European cities, making the French involvement a creative imperative. He views this co-production as a truly collaborative effort, born from the intersection of both nations, with aspirations for global viewership.

Los Hermanos Polo Films Praises Halley's Expertise

Victoria Pérez de la Cruz, a producer at Los Hermanos Polo Films, affirmed that "Carro Seco" is inherently suited for a Franco-Spanish co-production due to its core narrative elements. She lauded Halley Production's extensive experience in such partnerships as making them the ideal collaborator for bringing this film to life. Javier Polo, Guillermo Polo, Víctor Cuadros, and Guillem Moreno are also serving as producers on the project.

The Creative Minds Behind the Script

The screenplay for "Carro Seco" was penned by María Mínguez, co-creator of the Disney+ original Spanish comedy series "Shared Custody" (directed by Fesser), and Merli Marlowe, who co-wrote Javier Polo's comedy documentary "The Mystery of the Pink Flamingo." Javier Polo's directorial works also include the comedy "Pet Peeves" and the music documentary "Europe in 8 Bits."

Seeking International Collaborators for Global Reach

The producers plan to attend Iberseries & Platino Industria to secure key partners who can facilitate the film's international distribution and market penetration.

Anticipated Production Timeline and Casting Details

"Carro Seco" is slated for filming in 2027, with the cast announcements still pendin