Chile's rescued miners to surface again in Hollywood

epa04049972 (L-R) Chilean miners Mario Sepulveda and Luis Urzua, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera, Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro and former Chile's Mining Minister Laurence Golborne pose during the presentation of the cast of the movie 'Los 33', at La Moneda Palace, in Santiago, Chile, 31 January 2014. The film tells the real story of about 33 Chilean miners who survived for 70 days buried 700 meters underground in 2010. EPA/FELIPE TRUEBAShow less

Chile's rescued miners enjoyed the spotlight once again on Friday when they met Antonio Banderas and the other actors who will portray them in the Hollywood film The 33.

During the 2010 ordeal, the 33 miners trapped 700 meters underground drank oil-contaminated water to survive and set off explosives in a desperate bid to alert rescuers. After 69 days underground, they were lifted one by one to the surface in a spectacle that entranced viewers around the globe.

"I was one of the many millions obsessed with the story," said Banderas at a ceremony with Chilean President Sebastian Piñera and miners held at the presidential palace to greet the actors who have just arrived in Chile for shooting.

"It reflects the value of life in a confused and violent world," the Spanish actor added, before high-fiving Mario Sepulveda, the de facto spiritual leader of the 33 miners who he portrays in the film.

A laughing Sepulveda, known as "Super Mario", jokingly asked "we really look alike, don't we?" as he stood arm-in-arm with a dapper Banderas.

Mexican filmmaker Patricia Riggen directs the English-language film, which is being shot in the northern desert region of Copiapo, near where the small copper and gold mine San Jose mine is located, and in Colombia.

In addition to Banderas, it will star French actress Juliette Binoche and Irish actor Gabriel Byrne, who were also present on Friday.

"This is a story of human courage," said producer Mike Medavoy, who lived in Chile during his youth and went on to produce such acclaimed films as Black Swan and Shutter Island.

"There isn't a place I go where people don't know about" the 33 miners, added Medavoy, who bought the rights to the film and is founder of Phoenix Pictures.

Reuters