When the World's Biggest Star is Also a Murderer: A Love Story in the Making

What's in a Title?

Let me tell you about a film that's not just a story—it's a conversation about power, desire, and what happens when we're told we're powerless. Miguel Machetti's Copy (“El participio del verbo oír”) is a deeply unsettling meditation on the human condition, wrapped in the guise of a high-concept thriller.

So what happens when an emotionally stranded young film worker becomes indispensable to one of the world's biggest stars who may also be a murderer? That collision drives the narrative, and it's not just a clever plot device—it's a window into the darker corners of our own psyches.

"One of the most important themes to explore throughout the film was always the extraordinary within the absolute normality of everyday life," Machetti told Variety.

This is where the genius of Copy lies: it doesn't just ask us to consider what happens when someone famous becomes a suspect, but how the very act of being seen, heard, and needed can transform our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Underneath the Surface

The story centers around Ramón, a film assistant reeling from a painful breakup, who begins working with Camille de Valois, a legendary French actress returning to cinema after two decades away following an accusation of murder. But here's the twist: while everyone around Ramón obsesses over whether Camille actually committed the crime, Ramón becomes far more consumed by the attention she gives him.

This is not your typical thriller. There are no gunshots or dramatic chase scenes. Instead, Copy uses the mechanics of film industry dynamics to explore deeper themes—power imbalances, dependencies, and contradictions that shape our relationships with others and with ourselves.

From Script to Screen

Machetti draws heavily on his own experience working in assistant direction, describing the industry as “an extremely hierarchical environment.” This is more than just a backdrop; it's a character in its own right. The set becomes a battlefield where Ramón's voice, his presence, and even his Copy response become weapons or shields in the power struggle between him and Camille.

The film's title—Copy, after all—is a reference to Ramón's habitual radio response. It's perhaps the word he says most often throughout the day, through a device that seems like an extension of his own body, and through which he only receives orders that he has to carry out.

This is not just about a relationship between two people; it's about how systems and structures shape human connection. Machetti understands this intuitively, which is why Copy feels so visceral and emotionally resonant.

A Production Company with Vision

Gelatina Películas, founded in 2025 by Ángeles L. Guerrero and Tina V. Mollá, sees Copy as both an unconventional first feature and a story they hope will travel beyond its film-industry setting.

"You do not have to work for a major film star to recognise yourself in a toxic relationship from which you feel unable to escape," the producers said.

This sentiment is crucial. Copy doesn't just mirror the industry—it reflects our own personal struggles with dependency and control, making it universally relevant. The film becomes a mirror for the viewer, asking them to question their own relationships with power and submission.

The Casting Challenge

One of the most fascinating aspects of Copy is its casting strategy. The producers are looking toward France and Belgium for international co-production, envisioning Camille being played by an established French or Italian actress opposite a largely unknown actor as Ramón.

This dynamic is intentional—it mirrors the central tension in the story: a young outsider suddenly sharing the screen with an established star. The casting becomes an extension of the story, allowing fiction and reality to subtly mirror one another.

"This echoes the central dynamic of the film itself: a young outsider suddenly sharing the screen with an established star," they said.

The contrast between experience and inexperience isn't just cinematic—it's symbolic. It's about how we perceive ourselves in relation to those who are already famous, powerful, or revered. Machetti wants us to feel that same power imbalance in every frame.

Why It Matters

What makes Copy truly compelling is its unflinching look at emotional entanglements. It's a psychological thriller disguised as a romantic drama, one that challenges our assumptions about fame, love, and the lengths we'll go to be seen.

In a time when social media has made everyone a potential star, Copy feels particularly timely. The question isn't just whether Camille is guilty or innocent—it's whether Ramón can ever truly escape her influence. His dependency on her attention becomes a metaphor for how we all crave recognition and validation.

Machetti and his team at Gelatina Películas are clearly aiming for something more than just entertainment—they're crafting a cultural artifact that will resonate long after the credits roll.

Final Thoughts

When you think about it, Copy is really about how we navigate the world when we feel small, powerless, and desperately in need of being heard. It's about what happens when our own voice becomes secondary to someone else's fame, especially when that fame is tinged with suspicion.

It's not a film you watch passively—it's one that demands engagement, reflection, and even discomfort. And that, my friends, is the mark of a truly great story.