Braven Films takes on 'Trevi' movie

Braven Films, a New York-based production company, is tackling a biopic about Mexican rock singer, songwriter and composer Gloria Trevi as its first project.

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Swiss-born Christian Keller will make his directorial debut with "Trevi," which is to be produced by Barrie Osborne and Braven head Frida Torresblanco.

Braven is launching with more than $6 million in private funding to use for the development of feature screenplays, with access to other funds for production.

" 'Trevi' is the perfect inaugural project for us because Gloria Trevi embodies everything we want our films to be about -- she was inspirational, creative, provocative and intriguing on so many levels," Torresblanco said.

Although "Trevi" focuses on a Latin American icon, Braven said the majority of its projects will focus on independent American cinema.

Torresblanco served for eight years as the head of Alfonso Cuaron's Esperanto label and was a producer on Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" and Carlos Cuaron's "Rudo y Cursi." Her partners at Braven include Eric Laufer, Giovanna Randall, Joseph Swiader (who will serve as the company's head of business development) and Eugenia Silva.

Laufer, president and founder of the Laufer Wind Group and Idalia Solar Technologies, and Randall, president and chief designer of the women's clothing brand Honor, are the main investors in Braven. Silva, an attorney, model and brand ambassador for Armani and Chopard, will serve as an investor and artistic adviser.

Swiader has worked for JP Morgan, the Dreyfus Corp. and Scudder Investments.