Manuel García-Rulfo and Renata Vaca Lead Am I The Wave

Filming has commenced on Am I The Wave?, a feature film adaptation of Francisco Goldman's autobiographical novel Say Her Name, directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella. Announced on 6 November 2026, the English-language drama stars Manuel García-Rulfo and Renata Vaca as cross-border writers navigating love and tragedy between Brooklyn and Mexico City. Produced by Fabula Films, Wonderful Films, and Zak Kilberg, international sales are being managed by FilmNation Entertainment. For cinema audiences and streaming subscribers in Malaysia, the project represents a major literary adaptation to track on the festival circuit, though local distribution and theatrical release dates remain unconfirmed.

Key Facts

Production details for the feature adaptation of Francisco Goldman's novel Say Her Name confirm key casting, directorial, and distribution packaging. Principal photography on the drama Am I The Wave? is officially underway under the direction of Alejandra Márquez Abella. The project features international co-financing backed by Mexican state incentive bodies alongside leading independent sales agencies.

What Is the Story Behind Am I The Wave?

Am I The Wave? dramatises the true relationship between American author Francisco Goldman and Mexican writer Aura Estrada. Set across New York and Mexico City, the narrative explores their intellectual connection before an unexpected coastal tragedy permanently alters their lives. Alejandra Márquez Abella directs the English-language adaptation from a screenplay co-written with Scott B. Smith and Francisco Goldman.

The film is based on Goldman's novel Say Her Name, which traced his courtship and marriage to Estrada, a rising author whose life was cut short by a wave accident on a beach in Oaxaca. Manuel García-Rulfo plays Francisco, an American author dividing his career between Brooklyn and Mexico, while Renata Vaca portrays Aura. The screenwriters adapted the literary work to reflect the intertwined cultural landscapes of both cities.

“It is a project that bridges the cultural scenes of Mexico City and Brooklyn—two worlds that are closely tied and share many similarities.”

Alejandra Márquez Abella

Who Is Producing and Financing Am I The Wave?

The production unites prominent international independent producers with Mexican cultural funding bodies to mount the English-language drama. Backed by an EFICINE grant alongside the Jalisco State tax credit, the film is produced by Fabula Films, Wonderful Films, and Zak Kilberg. FilmNation Entertainment handles international sales while UTA Independent Film Group oversees domestic distribution rights.

The producing team brings together Juan de Dios Larraín of Fabula Films (A Fantastic Woman), William Horberg of Wonderful Films (The Queen's Gambit), and Zak Kilberg (The Mauritanian). Executive producers include Pablo Larraín, Sarah Connors of She Spun Films, Russell Smith and Michael Cleaver of Convergent Media and Divergent Pictures, Carlos Enrique Cuscó and Ari Taboada of Foton Pictures, Fernando Lebrija of Irreversible Pictures, Jorge García Castro, and Obsidian Creek. Director Márquez Abella previously directed The Good Girls, the Ariel Award-winning Northern Skies Over Empty Space, and Amazon MGM Studios' A Million Miles Away.

What It Means for Viewers in Malaysia

Malaysian cinema distribution and streaming availability for Am I The Wave? have not been officially confirmed by any regional distributor. As the film has only commenced production, local theatrical chains and digital platforms have not yet acquired licensing rights. No Malaysian cinema release date, streaming platform, or LPF film rating has been confirmed for Am I The Wave?.

Because FilmNation Entertainment manages foreign territorial sales, local cinema chains such as Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), TGV Cinemas, MBO Cinemas, or LFS Cinemas would need to license the title via regional independent distributors. Alternatively, the drama may eventually secure streaming distribution in Malaysia on services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, or HBO Max following international film festival rollouts. Any prospective theatrical release in local cinemas will also require classification by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (Lembaga Penapis Filem, LPF).

Common Questions

Is Am I The Wave? based on a true story?

The film adapts Francisco Goldman's autobiographical novel Say Her Name, which recounts his real-life marriage to Mexican writer Aura Estrada. The story chronicles their creative relationship across Brooklyn and Mexico City until Estrada's fatal swimming accident off the coast of Oaxaca in Mexico.

Who stars in Am I The Wave?

Manuel García-Rulfo, known for starring in The Lincoln Lawyer and Jurassic World: Rebirth, plays Francisco. Renata Vaca, who appeared in K-POP: The Debut, co-stars as Mexican author Aura Estrada, marking the central pairing under director Alejandra Márquez Abella.

When will Am I The Wave? release in Malaysian cinemas?

The Malaysian release date has not been confirmed. Filming commenced in November 2026, and international distribution rights are being handled by FilmNation Entertainment. Details regarding local theatrical scheduling by cinema chains or classification by the Film Censorship Board (LPF) remain unannounced.

Sources and Methodology

Information in this dispatch is compiled directly from industry reporting published by Deadline Hollywood on 6 November 2026 regarding production commencement and casting. All production credits, creative personnel, and distribution details were verified against official production statements reported by Deadline. No production budget figures or foreign currency estimates were disclosed in the trade source.

ROCKSTARmedia Movies verifies production reports directly against trade filings, studio announcements, and sales agency disclosures. Where distribution rights, local theatrical scheduling, and regulatory classifications by Malaysia's Film Censorship Board (LPF) have not been established by regional rights holders, they are designated strictly as unconfirmed.