Updated Lille, France — One of Spain’s most awaited drama series of the year, Rodrigo Sorogyen’s ‘The New Years’ will be co-produced by Spain’s Movistar Plus+, its original backer, and new partner Arte France, the upscale French public broadcaster.
Going into production last year on Oct. 2, and shooting in Madrid, Lyon (France) and Berlin (Germany), the series is produced in collaboration with Madrid-based independent production house Caballo Films, co-founded by Sorogoyen.
Movistar Plus+ International will handle distribution outside Spain and France. Arte France’s involvement guarantees the 10-part series’ distribution in all the territories where it operates.
Set on the same day every year for a decade, New Year’s Eve, “The New Years” stars Iria del Río and Francesco Carril. Ana and Óscar, meet at 30 and start a relationship which lasts 10 years.
The period from 30 to 40 is “a crucial decade for all of us,” Sorogoyen commented when the new series was announced.
Going into production last year on Oct. 2, and shooting in Madrid, Lyon (France) and Berlin (Germany), the series is produced in collaboration with Madrid-based independent production house Caballo Films, co-founded by Sorogoyen.
Movistar Plus+ International will handle distribution outside Spain and France. Arte France’s involvement guarantees the 10-part series’ distribution in all the territories where it operates.
Set on the same day every year for a decade, New Year’s Eve, “The New Years” stars Iria del Río and Francesco Carril. Ana and Óscar, meet at 30 and start a relationship which lasts 10 years.
The period from 30 to 40 is “a crucial decade for all of us,” Sorogoyen commented when the new series was announced.
- 3/20/2024
- by John Hopewell and Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Jean Labadie’s Le Pacte and sales agency Film Factory have joined Spanish pay giant Movistar Plus on the next film from Alberto Rodríguez (“Marshland”), which is shaping up fast with as one of the biggest packages from Spain this year at the Berlinale’s European Film Market.
Le Pacte will co-produce the thriller out of France and handle French distribution rights. Film Factory is launching international sales at Berlin. Movistar Plus, co-producing out of Spain with Kowalski Films and Feelgood Media, will bring the deepest pocket of any production powerhouse in Spain, backing what looks like a potentially big-budgeted movie.
Currently in pre-production, Rodríguez’s latest is scheduled for release in Spanish theaters via Buena Vista Intl. in 2025.
The film is also the latest from one of the most prominent Spanish directors of his generation, co-writer-director of both “The Plague,” still one of Movistar Plus+ biggest series, and “Prison 77,...
Le Pacte will co-produce the thriller out of France and handle French distribution rights. Film Factory is launching international sales at Berlin. Movistar Plus, co-producing out of Spain with Kowalski Films and Feelgood Media, will bring the deepest pocket of any production powerhouse in Spain, backing what looks like a potentially big-budgeted movie.
Currently in pre-production, Rodríguez’s latest is scheduled for release in Spanish theaters via Buena Vista Intl. in 2025.
The film is also the latest from one of the most prominent Spanish directors of his generation, co-writer-director of both “The Plague,” still one of Movistar Plus+ biggest series, and “Prison 77,...
- 2/18/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Telefonica’s Movistar Plus+, Spain’s biggest pay TV-svod operator, is set to co-produce new movies from Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Iciar Bollaín, Alberto Rodríguez, Óliver Laxe and Ana Rujas. It’s a move which sees the high-end Spanish TV powerhouse become one of Spain’s most significant movie players.
Titles in the slate are backed by top Spanish producers such as Agustín Almodóvar and Esther García at El Deseo – backing Laxe’s next – and Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo at their high-flying new production house Suma Content, producing what will be Rujas’ debut feature as a director.
The acclaimed “La Mesías,” the latest series from Los Javis – as Ambrossi and Calvo are known – will have its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it will the only European series at this year’s event.
In a fillip for Spain’s box office, still 26% down on pre-pandemic levels, Movistar Plus+ will...
Titles in the slate are backed by top Spanish producers such as Agustín Almodóvar and Esther García at El Deseo – backing Laxe’s next – and Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo at their high-flying new production house Suma Content, producing what will be Rujas’ debut feature as a director.
The acclaimed “La Mesías,” the latest series from Los Javis – as Ambrossi and Calvo are known – will have its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it will the only European series at this year’s event.
In a fillip for Spain’s box office, still 26% down on pre-pandemic levels, Movistar Plus+ will...
- 1/18/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Spanish world premiere that made the most waves at this year’s San Sebastian Festival was not a film but a series, “La Mesías,” written, directed and produced by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo.
“A masterpiece,” proclaimed Spanish website Cineconñ; national newspaper El Mundo greeted it as the first work of maturity from hugely unconventional auteurs.
Now bound for Mipcom, where the series receives a market screening, “La Mesías” says much about the ambitions of its creators and its backer, Movistar Plus.
In 2017, Telefónica-owned Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest SVOD-pay TV player, rocked the San Sebastian Festival with “The Plague,” then the biggest series ever made in Spain.
“La Mesías” follows Ambrossi and Calvo’s overseas breakout “Veneno,” which was picked up by HBO Max for the U.S. market, and made Ambrossi and Calvo among the most-courted young showrunners in Europe.
“We’ve had to say ‘no’ to a lot of things,...
“A masterpiece,” proclaimed Spanish website Cineconñ; national newspaper El Mundo greeted it as the first work of maturity from hugely unconventional auteurs.
Now bound for Mipcom, where the series receives a market screening, “La Mesías” says much about the ambitions of its creators and its backer, Movistar Plus.
In 2017, Telefónica-owned Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest SVOD-pay TV player, rocked the San Sebastian Festival with “The Plague,” then the biggest series ever made in Spain.
“La Mesías” follows Ambrossi and Calvo’s overseas breakout “Veneno,” which was picked up by HBO Max for the U.S. market, and made Ambrossi and Calvo among the most-courted young showrunners in Europe.
“We’ve had to say ‘no’ to a lot of things,...
- 10/15/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
San Sebastian — Blessed by blowsy sun, two Conferences and a Co-Pro Forum, which brought the highest caliber and number of U.S., European execs and Latin American producers ever seen in festival history, San Sebastian rounded its final bend Friday after a packed, busy and upbeat event, also suggesting a stability in contrast to other major European events, such as Berlin.
Below, eight takeaways, some 24 hours before Saturday night’s closing gala and prize ceremony.
Women Rule Still
Coming into the festival, many of the biggest main competition buzz pictures were directed by women. Many now figure, according to a El Diario Vasco Spanish critics’ poll, as Golden Shell frontrunners: Isabel Helguera’s animated pic “Sultana’s Dream,” Raven Jackson’s Sundance hit “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt,” Jaione Camborda’s Toronto platform screener “The Rye Horn” and Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang’s “A Journey in Spring.”
New...
Below, eight takeaways, some 24 hours before Saturday night’s closing gala and prize ceremony.
Women Rule Still
Coming into the festival, many of the biggest main competition buzz pictures were directed by women. Many now figure, according to a El Diario Vasco Spanish critics’ poll, as Golden Shell frontrunners: Isabel Helguera’s animated pic “Sultana’s Dream,” Raven Jackson’s Sundance hit “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt,” Jaione Camborda’s Toronto platform screener “The Rye Horn” and Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang’s “A Journey in Spring.”
New...
- 9/29/2023
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
“Telefónica has been leading by innovation,” says Omdia’s María Rua Aguete of Movistar Plus’ parent, one of Europe’s biggest telecoms.
In June, Telefónica launched the Experience Design Lab, a Madrid-based innovation center that includes a gaming room with the latest Ar and VR technology and games. Its Lacabina, a permanent exhibition, allows visitors to experience first hand latest advances in 5G, IoT, big data, cloud, edge, AI and cyber security. It has signed payment carrier systems with Facebook, Google and Microsoft for sub-scribers in Latin America.
Its investment in less traditional format TV dramas aligns with this innovation, Rua Aguete says.
Unlike many incumbents, Movistar Plus has stuck with sports, led by the purchase of La Liga and Champions League soccer rights through 2026-27.
In July, Movistar Plus relaunched a new souped-up version of its basic tier as an Ott for clients of any telco service in Spain.
In June, Telefónica launched the Experience Design Lab, a Madrid-based innovation center that includes a gaming room with the latest Ar and VR technology and games. Its Lacabina, a permanent exhibition, allows visitors to experience first hand latest advances in 5G, IoT, big data, cloud, edge, AI and cyber security. It has signed payment carrier systems with Facebook, Google and Microsoft for sub-scribers in Latin America.
Its investment in less traditional format TV dramas aligns with this innovation, Rua Aguete says.
Unlike many incumbents, Movistar Plus has stuck with sports, led by the purchase of La Liga and Champions League soccer rights through 2026-27.
In July, Movistar Plus relaunched a new souped-up version of its basic tier as an Ott for clients of any telco service in Spain.
- 9/28/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In 2017, Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest SVOD-pay TV player, rocked the San Sebastian Festival, the highest-profile movie event in Spain and Latin America region, with “The Plague,” the biggest series ever made in Spain.
Movistar Plus, owned by Telefónica, looks set to make waves again at this week’s San Sebastian by world premiering another big, bold series: “La Mesías.”
It’s written, directed and produced by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – known in Spain as Los Javis – marking their follow-up to overseas breakout “Veneno,” a raunchy but highly grounded bio of Spanish trans icon Cristina Ortiz. “Veneno” was picked up by HBO Max for the U.S. market and made Ambrossi and Calvo among the most courted young showrunners in Europe.
“We’ve had to say ‘no’ to a lot of things, to big offers, a lot of money from and outside Spain, to keep faithful to ourselves, and...
Movistar Plus, owned by Telefónica, looks set to make waves again at this week’s San Sebastian by world premiering another big, bold series: “La Mesías.”
It’s written, directed and produced by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – known in Spain as Los Javis – marking their follow-up to overseas breakout “Veneno,” a raunchy but highly grounded bio of Spanish trans icon Cristina Ortiz. “Veneno” was picked up by HBO Max for the U.S. market and made Ambrossi and Calvo among the most courted young showrunners in Europe.
“We’ve had to say ‘no’ to a lot of things, to big offers, a lot of money from and outside Spain, to keep faithful to ourselves, and...
- 9/28/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish film-tv’s good and great joined illustrious international figures to sketch out a roadmap for Europe’s film-tv future at a Conference on Sunday at San Sebastian.
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
- 9/25/2023
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
“Modestly speaking, we’ve tried to create a culture at Movistar Plus+ which attracts talent. We have a lot of respect for what creators want to tell and believe in them,” Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus+ director of fiction and entertainment, has said.
One case in point is Berto Romero, whose latest series, “The Other Side” (“El otro lado”), world premieres at Spain’s San Sebastian Festival on Sunday.
Romero broke out with star turns on Andreu Buenafuente’s “Buenafuente” and “Leit Motiv,” two late-night mainstays on Movistar Plus+ produced by El Terrat, owned by The Mediapro Studio from 2019. Over 2018-19, his first fiction series, the Terrat-produced “Look What You’ve Done,” a fresh comedic take on the tribulations of parenting, ran for three seasons on Movistar Plus+. Now “The Other Side” weighs in as a step-up in ambition for Romero.
The comedy remains. In early scenes, Nacho Nieto (Romero), once...
One case in point is Berto Romero, whose latest series, “The Other Side” (“El otro lado”), world premieres at Spain’s San Sebastian Festival on Sunday.
Romero broke out with star turns on Andreu Buenafuente’s “Buenafuente” and “Leit Motiv,” two late-night mainstays on Movistar Plus+ produced by El Terrat, owned by The Mediapro Studio from 2019. Over 2018-19, his first fiction series, the Terrat-produced “Look What You’ve Done,” a fresh comedic take on the tribulations of parenting, ran for three seasons on Movistar Plus+. Now “The Other Side” weighs in as a step-up in ambition for Romero.
The comedy remains. In early scenes, Nacho Nieto (Romero), once...
- 9/23/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In a significant play for audience growth at Telefonica’s Movistar+, Domingo Corral has been promoted to the position of director of fiction and entertainment at the company, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD service.
The move, which in some ways echoes the larger oversight of ITV Studios’ Ruth Berry, marks further recognition for the former director of original fiction who has spearheaded Movistar+’s notably successful drive into scripted production, begun with its first releases in 2017.
Playing off Corral’s innate flair at forge talent relationships his passion for premium entertainment and willingness to explore flexible market models, Movistar+ has created some of the most lauded and prized series in Spain, such as Canneseries double winner “A Perfect Life,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “Riot Police” and “Offworld,” chosen by Variety as one of its best international TV shows of 2022.
Most recently, Alberto Rodriguez “Prison 1977” has bowed on Movistar+ to become...
The move, which in some ways echoes the larger oversight of ITV Studios’ Ruth Berry, marks further recognition for the former director of original fiction who has spearheaded Movistar+’s notably successful drive into scripted production, begun with its first releases in 2017.
Playing off Corral’s innate flair at forge talent relationships his passion for premium entertainment and willingness to explore flexible market models, Movistar+ has created some of the most lauded and prized series in Spain, such as Canneseries double winner “A Perfect Life,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “Riot Police” and “Offworld,” chosen by Variety as one of its best international TV shows of 2022.
Most recently, Alberto Rodriguez “Prison 1977” has bowed on Movistar+ to become...
- 4/26/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In the run-up to its Canneseries world premiere, Movistar Plus+ has shared in exclusivity with Variety the international trailer to “The Left Handed Son” (“El hijo zurdo”), the directorial debut of Rafael Cobos, writer of Alberto Rodríguez international hit “Marshland” banner TV series “The Plague.”
Cobos also wrote Rodriguez’s memorable episode in “Offworld,” a market screening at this year’s MipTV.
Movistar Plus+, which produces with José Antonio Félez’s Atipica Films, its partner on “The Plague” and “Prison 1977,” has also announced the release date for “The Left-Handed Son,” whose episodes will all be made available on Movistar Plus+, Spain’s biggest SVOD/pay TV platform, on April 27.
Distribution outside Spain on “The Left-Handed Son” is handled by Movistar Plus+ International.
A six-part short format series, it reps Movistar+’s fourth title at Canneseries in six editions. “The Left Handed Son” delivers a probing, fast-paced psychological thriller which adds...
Cobos also wrote Rodriguez’s memorable episode in “Offworld,” a market screening at this year’s MipTV.
Movistar Plus+, which produces with José Antonio Félez’s Atipica Films, its partner on “The Plague” and “Prison 1977,” has also announced the release date for “The Left-Handed Son,” whose episodes will all be made available on Movistar Plus+, Spain’s biggest SVOD/pay TV platform, on April 27.
Distribution outside Spain on “The Left-Handed Son” is handled by Movistar Plus+ International.
A six-part short format series, it reps Movistar+’s fourth title at Canneseries in six editions. “The Left Handed Son” delivers a probing, fast-paced psychological thriller which adds...
- 4/3/2023
- by John Hopewell and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
The latest series from Alex de la Iglesia and “Veneno” creators Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo feature at a first-look Next from Spain Showcase which marks a massive step-up in the country’s presence at the Berlinale Series Market.
Running Feb. 20-22, the showcase also unveils “Rapa” Season 2, with its first season proving Movistar+’s biggest 2022 bow, and “This Is Not Sweden,” a pioneering Spanish co-production with Scandinavia and Germany.
The Showcase titles are joined by Isaki Lacuesta’s “The Chauffeur’s Son,” a Co-Pro Series project from “Elite’s” Zeta Studios, and “Selftape,” a Filmin Original from Filmax and a Series Market Screening.
Prior to 2023, Spanish titles only screened very occasionally at the market. This year’s splash , however, is entirely logical.
Thanks in part to a captive audience of 580 million Spanish speakers who are largely avid for melodrama-thrillers with a modern edge – think “La Casa de Papel,” “Who Killed Sara?...
Running Feb. 20-22, the showcase also unveils “Rapa” Season 2, with its first season proving Movistar+’s biggest 2022 bow, and “This Is Not Sweden,” a pioneering Spanish co-production with Scandinavia and Germany.
The Showcase titles are joined by Isaki Lacuesta’s “The Chauffeur’s Son,” a Co-Pro Series project from “Elite’s” Zeta Studios, and “Selftape,” a Filmin Original from Filmax and a Series Market Screening.
Prior to 2023, Spanish titles only screened very occasionally at the market. This year’s splash , however, is entirely logical.
Thanks in part to a captive audience of 580 million Spanish speakers who are largely avid for melodrama-thrillers with a modern edge – think “La Casa de Papel,” “Who Killed Sara?...
- 2/20/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“La Mesías,” from “Veneno” creators Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, drinks deep from Catholic tradition from its very title — literally, “The Female Messiah” — to iconography and focus on faith.
Another awaited Movistar+ series, “The Left-Handed Son,” created by “The Plague” screenwriter Rafael Cobos, was presented to the press in July against a spectacular backdrop taking in, just across a waterway, Seville’s iconic Torre de Oro and, a little further away, the Giralda bell tower of Seville’s Cathedral.
In line with platform production trends the world over, rather than playing down local elements, Movistar+ is playing them up. For the Telefonica SVOD/pay TV player in Spain, this has been a longterm philosophy, reaching back to its earliest series in 2017.
No big European SVOD player has insisted as much as Movistar+ on capturing the hot button issues, history, culture (“Spanish Shame”), traumas (“The Invisible Line”) and landscapes (“Félix”) of its local market.
Another awaited Movistar+ series, “The Left-Handed Son,” created by “The Plague” screenwriter Rafael Cobos, was presented to the press in July against a spectacular backdrop taking in, just across a waterway, Seville’s iconic Torre de Oro and, a little further away, the Giralda bell tower of Seville’s Cathedral.
In line with platform production trends the world over, rather than playing down local elements, Movistar+ is playing them up. For the Telefonica SVOD/pay TV player in Spain, this has been a longterm philosophy, reaching back to its earliest series in 2017.
No big European SVOD player has insisted as much as Movistar+ on capturing the hot button issues, history, culture (“Spanish Shame”), traumas (“The Invisible Line”) and landscapes (“Félix”) of its local market.
- 10/14/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Come in quickly, Insiders. It’s getting colder out there. Jesse Whittock here with a rundown of this week’s top news and analysis, coming to you from across Europe.
Queen Elizabeth Laid To Rest
The world says goodbye: Following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on September 8, the mourning period that came after and the thousands of stories about to the never-ending queue to see her laying in state in central London, the monarch’s funeral was held on Monday. The likes of Joe Biden, Killing Eve’s Sandra Oh and even Bear Grylls joined the Royal Family to pay respect to the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Caroline Frost was on hand to keep you informed. Following the religious service at Westminster Abbey, the funeral procession stretched more than a mile long. When the Queen was finally laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, the world saw...
Queen Elizabeth Laid To Rest
The world says goodbye: Following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on September 8, the mourning period that came after and the thousands of stories about to the never-ending queue to see her laying in state in central London, the monarch’s funeral was held on Monday. The likes of Joe Biden, Killing Eve’s Sandra Oh and even Bear Grylls joined the Royal Family to pay respect to the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Caroline Frost was on hand to keep you informed. Following the religious service at Westminster Abbey, the funeral procession stretched more than a mile long. When the Queen was finally laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, the world saw...
- 9/23/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The presence of Movistar Plus+, Spain’s biggest pay-tv/SVOD operator, is hard to ignore at this year’s San Sebastian film festival, with two original TV series and one feature film helmed by the streamer scattered throughout the program. The Telefonica-owned platform also had a hand in every Spanish feature in the festival’s Official Selection. Domingo Corral, director of original fiction at Movistar Plus+, caught up with Deadline at San Sebastian to discuss the company’s drive into original production, the current boom in local Spanish productions, and how he competes with global streamers like Netflix and HBO.
Deadline: Domingo, how’s business?
Domingo Corral: We are in very good shape. We are presenting two shows here in San Sebastian: Fácil and Offworld, which is part of the Official Section. It’s the only show that’s part of the festival’s Official Selection. And...
Deadline: Domingo, how’s business?
Domingo Corral: We are in very good shape. We are presenting two shows here in San Sebastian: Fácil and Offworld, which is part of the Official Section. It’s the only show that’s part of the festival’s Official Selection. And...
- 9/21/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
In the first shot of “OffWorld” (“Apagon”), the camera focuses on Ernesto – balding, serious, tired, lost in thought. It then pulls back to reveal the whole of his office, a computer-screen packed rom at an emergency intervention unit.
The shot says much about the latest series from Movistar+, “Off world,” which world premieres in Official Selection at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival and in turn speaks volumes of the ambitions and priorities of Telefonica-owned Movistar+, Southern Europe’s biggest national pay-tv/SVOD service.
Produced with Buendía Estudios, “OffWorld” presents five stories which place very different individuals in the same context, a world where there’s no electricity thanks to a massive power outage; things taken for granted like phones and the internet don’t work.
Opening close-ups in each episode underscore the protagonists’ initial identities. In Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “Denial,” workaholic Ernesto is defined by his job as...
The shot says much about the latest series from Movistar+, “Off world,” which world premieres in Official Selection at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival and in turn speaks volumes of the ambitions and priorities of Telefonica-owned Movistar+, Southern Europe’s biggest national pay-tv/SVOD service.
Produced with Buendía Estudios, “OffWorld” presents five stories which place very different individuals in the same context, a world where there’s no electricity thanks to a massive power outage; things taken for granted like phones and the internet don’t work.
Opening close-ups in each episode underscore the protagonists’ initial identities. In Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “Denial,” workaholic Ernesto is defined by his job as...
- 9/12/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The San Sebastian Festival opens on Sept. 16 with a bang: Alberto Rodriguez’s “Prison 77,” most probably the biggest Spanish film of 2022, the latest title from one of the Spain’s most preeminent auteurs and a foretaste of one possible future face of Spanish cinema, thanks to Movistar+.
“Prison 77” begins as a fish-out-of-water jail survival thriller. Manuel, in 1977, a young accountant, played by Miguel Herrán, is sent to Barcelona’s legendary Modelo penitentiary pending trial for embezzlement.
It grows, however, for all of its length, as a character-driven tale of psychological observance, as Miguel gradually befriends Pino, his seen-it-all cell mate, who just wants a quiet life.
Charting “the evolving relationship between two completely different people, a young accountant with his whole life before him, and Pino, who’s lived nearly his whole life behind bars,” “Prison 77” is a story of friendship and solidarity, says José Antonio Félez...
“Prison 77” begins as a fish-out-of-water jail survival thriller. Manuel, in 1977, a young accountant, played by Miguel Herrán, is sent to Barcelona’s legendary Modelo penitentiary pending trial for embezzlement.
It grows, however, for all of its length, as a character-driven tale of psychological observance, as Miguel gradually befriends Pino, his seen-it-all cell mate, who just wants a quiet life.
Charting “the evolving relationship between two completely different people, a young accountant with his whole life before him, and Pino, who’s lived nearly his whole life behind bars,” “Prison 77” is a story of friendship and solidarity, says José Antonio Félez...
- 9/12/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Rafael Cobos, the co-screenwriter of Alberto Rodríguez’s Goya best picture winner “Marshland” and “The Plague,” one of Movistar Plus’ most ambitious series ever, is getting his own show.
Moving into production on July 18, “El hijo zurdo” stars María León, a stunning 2011 San Sebastian best actress winner for “The Sleeping Voice,” in a series which Cobos describes an “emotional thriller.”
Movistar Plus’ newly announced original is not only written by Cobos but co-directed too in the directorial debut of the Seville-based scribe.
A six part, half hour drama, “El Hijo Zurdo” is scheduled for release first half of 2023. Movistar Plus Internacional is handling worldwide distribution.
Cobos’ career-long relationship with Rodríguez takes in the Spanish director’s 2022 San Sebastian opening movie “Prison 77” and his episode in “Offworld,” a Movistar Plus anthology series which world premieres out of competition at San Sebastián.
Cobos has also co-written “The Unit,” Movistar Plus’ hit action-espionage series,...
Moving into production on July 18, “El hijo zurdo” stars María León, a stunning 2011 San Sebastian best actress winner for “The Sleeping Voice,” in a series which Cobos describes an “emotional thriller.”
Movistar Plus’ newly announced original is not only written by Cobos but co-directed too in the directorial debut of the Seville-based scribe.
A six part, half hour drama, “El Hijo Zurdo” is scheduled for release first half of 2023. Movistar Plus Internacional is handling worldwide distribution.
Cobos’ career-long relationship with Rodríguez takes in the Spanish director’s 2022 San Sebastian opening movie “Prison 77” and his episode in “Offworld,” a Movistar Plus anthology series which world premieres out of competition at San Sebastián.
Cobos has also co-written “The Unit,” Movistar Plus’ hit action-espionage series,...
- 7/18/2022
- by Pablo Sandoval and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In an alignment of two of the most powerful forces in Spanish- language fiction, Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, creators of “Veneno” and producers of “Cardo,” have joined forces with Movistar Plus, the pay TV/SVOD of Telefonica, to develop and produce a new series, “La Mesías.”
Presented on Tuesday in Madrid, like “Veneno,” the series has been written by Los Javis – as they are popularly known in Spain – and, according to Javier Ambrossi, the scale of the series marks the natural “next step” in the growth of Suma Content.
A Movistar Plus original series, the series will be written, directed and produced by Ambrossi and Calvo and made in collaboration with Suma Content, their new production label launched last year.
Movistar Plus International will handle international distribution of what rates from the get-go as one of the hottest Spanish series which will be brought onto the global market this year.
Presented on Tuesday in Madrid, like “Veneno,” the series has been written by Los Javis – as they are popularly known in Spain – and, according to Javier Ambrossi, the scale of the series marks the natural “next step” in the growth of Suma Content.
A Movistar Plus original series, the series will be written, directed and produced by Ambrossi and Calvo and made in collaboration with Suma Content, their new production label launched last year.
Movistar Plus International will handle international distribution of what rates from the get-go as one of the hottest Spanish series which will be brought onto the global market this year.
- 5/5/2022
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Telefonica’s Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest pay-tv/SVOD operator, has launched an in-house overseas sales division, Movistar Plus Internacional, headed up by former Sony and Buendía Estudios exec Maria Valenzuela.
Lorena Molloy, an ex-exec at The Mediapro Studio, has joined Movistar Plus Internacional beginning in March as its head of communication and marketing.
Valenzuela, who began working with the platform last summer, heading international strategy and business development, reports directly to Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus’ director of original production.
Movistar Plus Internacional is making further appointments, raising staff to around 10 employees, Valenzuela said. It will attend all major markets, beginning with Series Mania and MipTV/Canneseries, focusing at least in the short term on sales to Europe, Eastern Europe, U.S. and Latin America, she added.
Presented officially on March 4 in Madrid, the new distribution arm comes after Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest content investor, has until recently used...
Lorena Molloy, an ex-exec at The Mediapro Studio, has joined Movistar Plus Internacional beginning in March as its head of communication and marketing.
Valenzuela, who began working with the platform last summer, heading international strategy and business development, reports directly to Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus’ director of original production.
Movistar Plus Internacional is making further appointments, raising staff to around 10 employees, Valenzuela said. It will attend all major markets, beginning with Series Mania and MipTV/Canneseries, focusing at least in the short term on sales to Europe, Eastern Europe, U.S. and Latin America, she added.
Presented officially on March 4 in Madrid, the new distribution arm comes after Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest content investor, has until recently used...
- 3/7/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Few high-end series say as much about their producers’ ambitions as Movistar Plus’ “La Fortuna,” starring Stanley Tucci and Clarke Peters, one of nine market screenings at this year’s Mipcom trade fair.
“La Fortuna” weighs in as the single biggest U.S.-Spain co-production in history, teaming Spain’s Movistar Plus, the pay TV-svod unit of giant European telecom Telefonica, and AMC Studios.
It has the Spanish media company’s biggest stars to date. Tucci, a 2021 Emmy winner for “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” plays Frank Wild, owner of Atlantis Underwater Searching, the world’s biggest American deep-sea discovery company. Peters (“The Wire”) takes on the role of Jonas Pierce, the world’s best maritime rights lawyer.
The AMC deal delivers, moreover, the most far-reaching distribution deal for any Movistar series to date with AMC Plus releasing the series in the U.S. and Canada this winter and Latin...
“La Fortuna” weighs in as the single biggest U.S.-Spain co-production in history, teaming Spain’s Movistar Plus, the pay TV-svod unit of giant European telecom Telefonica, and AMC Studios.
It has the Spanish media company’s biggest stars to date. Tucci, a 2021 Emmy winner for “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” plays Frank Wild, owner of Atlantis Underwater Searching, the world’s biggest American deep-sea discovery company. Peters (“The Wire”) takes on the role of Jonas Pierce, the world’s best maritime rights lawyer.
The AMC deal delivers, moreover, the most far-reaching distribution deal for any Movistar series to date with AMC Plus releasing the series in the U.S. and Canada this winter and Latin...
- 10/8/2021
- by John Hopewell and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Since 2017, when it released its first original production, “Velvet Collection,” Movistar Plus has produced and aired 45 original or returning series in Spain.
Now it’s looking to raise the ante, investing more in original production than ever before, says Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé.
“Original production is a brutal anti-churn driver. Consumption of our original content is directly linked to customer satisfaction and consequently to loyalty,” says Movistar Plus CEO Cristina Burzako.
“In such a disruptive environment with a huge proliferation of brands and platforms and somehow, with some fatigue of entertainment, we must ensure we deliver a complete, personalized and curated entertainment proposal.”
This involves “integrating all key global brands [although they tend not to be exclusive deals anymore] and building our original production, which is more important than ever to drive differentiation.”
Building original production now cuts several ways. Movistar Plus is maintaining its original series output. It is also plowing more into non-fiction.
At September’s San Sebastian Festival,...
Now it’s looking to raise the ante, investing more in original production than ever before, says Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé.
“Original production is a brutal anti-churn driver. Consumption of our original content is directly linked to customer satisfaction and consequently to loyalty,” says Movistar Plus CEO Cristina Burzako.
“In such a disruptive environment with a huge proliferation of brands and platforms and somehow, with some fatigue of entertainment, we must ensure we deliver a complete, personalized and curated entertainment proposal.”
This involves “integrating all key global brands [although they tend not to be exclusive deals anymore] and building our original production, which is more important than ever to drive differentiation.”
Building original production now cuts several ways. Movistar Plus is maintaining its original series output. It is also plowing more into non-fiction.
At September’s San Sebastian Festival,...
- 9/13/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Few big European telecoms have driven into original high-end drama series production at the scale of Movistar Plus.
When it world-premiered at the San Sebastian festival in 2017, “The Plague,” a re-creation of 1580 Seville in its dazzling glory and poverty, was most probably the biggest-budget Spanish series ever made.
Yet, even by such measures, Alejandro Amenábar’s “La Fortuna,” which world-premieres at September’s San Sebastian Film Festival, sets a new bar for Movistar Plus’ ambitions.
The six-part series also says much about how Movistar Plus, the pay TV-svod unit of giant European telecom Telefonica, is setting out to consolidate audiences in Spain and secure even more of a global viewership.
“La Fortuna” weighs in as the single biggest single U.S.-Spain co-production in history, teaming AMC Studios, Movistar Plus and Spain’s Mod Producciones. It has the Spanish media company’s biggest stars to date: Stanley Tucci, who plays Frank Wild,...
When it world-premiered at the San Sebastian festival in 2017, “The Plague,” a re-creation of 1580 Seville in its dazzling glory and poverty, was most probably the biggest-budget Spanish series ever made.
Yet, even by such measures, Alejandro Amenábar’s “La Fortuna,” which world-premieres at September’s San Sebastian Film Festival, sets a new bar for Movistar Plus’ ambitions.
The six-part series also says much about how Movistar Plus, the pay TV-svod unit of giant European telecom Telefonica, is setting out to consolidate audiences in Spain and secure even more of a global viewership.
“La Fortuna” weighs in as the single biggest single U.S.-Spain co-production in history, teaming AMC Studios, Movistar Plus and Spain’s Mod Producciones. It has the Spanish media company’s biggest stars to date: Stanley Tucci, who plays Frank Wild,...
- 9/13/2021
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s Movistar Plus, the Spanish TV and streaming label of telco giant Telefonica, has announced “Rapa,” a new Latin Noir thriller original series starring one of the country’s most decorated film and TV actors, Javier Cámara.
La Rapa is supposed to be a day of celebration and festival in the Galician town of A Capelada. However, when the village’s mayor is murdered the local community goes into panic mode. In a careful-what-you-wish-for moment, frustrated professor Tomás (Cámara) becomes the center of attention and the resulting investigation as the only witness to the crime. He will join forces with local Civil Guard inspector Maite, a woman most in her element when on a manhunt, to uncover what happened on that day.
“Rapa” sees Movistar team once again with leading Galician production company Portocabo, producers of one of the broadcaster’s biggest hit original hits “Hierro” – it’s Movistar...
La Rapa is supposed to be a day of celebration and festival in the Galician town of A Capelada. However, when the village’s mayor is murdered the local community goes into panic mode. In a careful-what-you-wish-for moment, frustrated professor Tomás (Cámara) becomes the center of attention and the resulting investigation as the only witness to the crime. He will join forces with local Civil Guard inspector Maite, a woman most in her element when on a manhunt, to uncover what happened on that day.
“Rapa” sees Movistar team once again with leading Galician production company Portocabo, producers of one of the broadcaster’s biggest hit original hits “Hierro” – it’s Movistar...
- 7/14/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Telco giant Telefonica’s Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest pay TV player, is putting through a major restructuring, aimed at capitalizing on its Spanish market preeminence in an age of full-on global studio streamer dominance.
Key to the Movistar Plus reset is the creation of two new strategic divisions: Alliances and Content Experience.
Alliances will see Movistar Plus seeking to tie down even more strategic partnerships in carriage deals and production with what a company statement on Friday called, “the most relevant partners in the sector,” citing integration on Movistar Plus’ platform of Disney Plus, Netflix, Dazn and Spanish platforms Atresmedia Ott operator Atresplayer and Mediaset España’s Mitele.
With HBO carried by Vodafone, the most obvious candidate for further aggregation would look to be Amazon Prime Video.
Movistar Plus looks likely, moreover, to continue to pursue strategic alliances in international production where, under Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé, the...
Key to the Movistar Plus reset is the creation of two new strategic divisions: Alliances and Content Experience.
Alliances will see Movistar Plus seeking to tie down even more strategic partnerships in carriage deals and production with what a company statement on Friday called, “the most relevant partners in the sector,” citing integration on Movistar Plus’ platform of Disney Plus, Netflix, Dazn and Spanish platforms Atresmedia Ott operator Atresplayer and Mediaset España’s Mitele.
With HBO carried by Vodafone, the most obvious candidate for further aggregation would look to be Amazon Prime Video.
Movistar Plus looks likely, moreover, to continue to pursue strategic alliances in international production where, under Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé, the...
- 6/25/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Allying two of the biggest powerhouses in high-end Spanish-language drama series, Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio have joined forces to produce “Paraíso,” a banner 2021 Spanish series and determined push into Young Adult entertainment.
Previewed at MIPTV’s The Wit’s Young Adult Fiction, where it was also chosen among Variety’s 10 buzziest market titles, the genre blender is directed by Fernando González Molina (“Palm Trees In the Snow”). Set to bow June 4 on Movistar Plus, it marks the Spanish pay TV/SVOD biggest push to date into YA territory, following on university relationship drama “Merlí: Sapere Aude” and its first animated series, “Virtual Hero.”
Shot after Covid-19 hit Spain, “Paraíso” is set on the eastern coast of Spain, in a small town nestling by the beach and backed by spectacular sharp-buffed cliffs. Here, a group of high-school friends search desperately for three girls who have disappeared, including the sister of one of the protagonists,...
Previewed at MIPTV’s The Wit’s Young Adult Fiction, where it was also chosen among Variety’s 10 buzziest market titles, the genre blender is directed by Fernando González Molina (“Palm Trees In the Snow”). Set to bow June 4 on Movistar Plus, it marks the Spanish pay TV/SVOD biggest push to date into YA territory, following on university relationship drama “Merlí: Sapere Aude” and its first animated series, “Virtual Hero.”
Shot after Covid-19 hit Spain, “Paraíso” is set on the eastern coast of Spain, in a small town nestling by the beach and backed by spectacular sharp-buffed cliffs. Here, a group of high-school friends search desperately for three girls who have disappeared, including the sister of one of the protagonists,...
- 5/17/2021
- by Emiliano Granada
- Variety Film + TV
Production on AMC-Movistar Plus high-end original “La Fortuna,” starring “Supernova’s” Stanley Tucci, wrapped Tuesday in Spain, ending principal photography on one of the Spanish-speaking world’s most ambitious upcoming drama series.
Scheduled to bow this fall, “La Fortuna” also marks the first TV show from Oscar winner Amenábar, who directed “The Others” and “The Sea Inside.”
Both that ambition and authorship shone through on Monday’s last full day of shooting, which took place in Pasajes de San Pedro, a Bay of Biscay fishing village and shipyard on the northern Spanish coast, a half-hour drive from France.
Produced by Movistar Plus, AMC Studios and Mod Pictures, with AMC bowing the series in the U.S., Canada and Latin America and Beta Film selling the rest of international, the six-hour adventure thriller casts Tucci as Frank Wild, a modern-day, business-driven treasure hunter.
Wild retrieves the biggest sunken booty in...
Scheduled to bow this fall, “La Fortuna” also marks the first TV show from Oscar winner Amenábar, who directed “The Others” and “The Sea Inside.”
Both that ambition and authorship shone through on Monday’s last full day of shooting, which took place in Pasajes de San Pedro, a Bay of Biscay fishing village and shipyard on the northern Spanish coast, a half-hour drive from France.
Produced by Movistar Plus, AMC Studios and Mod Pictures, with AMC bowing the series in the U.S., Canada and Latin America and Beta Film selling the rest of international, the six-hour adventure thriller casts Tucci as Frank Wild, a modern-day, business-driven treasure hunter.
Wild retrieves the biggest sunken booty in...
- 4/27/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Peacock has launched international drama series Dime Quién Soy: Mistress of War, based on Julia Navarro’s bestselling novel. The streamer released all nine episodes today, March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The series is streaming in both English and Spanish.
Created by José Manuel Lorenzo and written by Piti Español, Dime Quién Soy: Mistress of War tells the story of Amelia Garayoa, a Spanish socialite who is suddenly plunged into the world of international espionage. Set in 1934 amid a turbulent Europe, Amelia leaves behind her family to join the fight for freedom. When Amelia is enlisted as an international spy, intrigue, war, love and espionage quickly become the center of her life placing her in the middle of the most important events in the history of 20th century Europe.
The series stars Irene Escolar, Pablo Derqui, Oriol Plá, Will Keen, Pierre Kiwitt, and Maria Pia Calzone.
Dime...
Created by José Manuel Lorenzo and written by Piti Español, Dime Quién Soy: Mistress of War tells the story of Amelia Garayoa, a Spanish socialite who is suddenly plunged into the world of international espionage. Set in 1934 amid a turbulent Europe, Amelia leaves behind her family to join the fight for freedom. When Amelia is enlisted as an international spy, intrigue, war, love and espionage quickly become the center of her life placing her in the middle of the most important events in the history of 20th century Europe.
The series stars Irene Escolar, Pablo Derqui, Oriol Plá, Will Keen, Pierre Kiwitt, and Maria Pia Calzone.
Dime...
- 3/8/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Spanish director and screenwriter Rodrigo Sorogoyen, fresh off large acclaim, prizes and recording-breaking viewership on Movistar Plus for “Riot Police,” is preparing a follow-up series for the Telefonica Spanish pay TV/SVOD service in Spain, which will deliver Sorogoyen’s personal take on the Spanish Civil War.
The untitled series will be co-written by Isabel Peña and Eduardo Villanueva, Sorogoyen’s regular co-scribes. It will go into production in 2022.
The move is a natural one. In his breakout movie, “May God Save Us,” a grueling, grimy melancholic serial killer thriller about men who cannot control their actions, as well as “Riot Police” – the chronicle of a Police Intervention Unit bungling an eviction in a Senagalese community in Madrid, its results and cause – Sorogoyen has shown a fascination with toxic authoritarianism and violence.
There have been few more violent conflicts or chamber of military horrors than the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War,...
The untitled series will be co-written by Isabel Peña and Eduardo Villanueva, Sorogoyen’s regular co-scribes. It will go into production in 2022.
The move is a natural one. In his breakout movie, “May God Save Us,” a grueling, grimy melancholic serial killer thriller about men who cannot control their actions, as well as “Riot Police” – the chronicle of a Police Intervention Unit bungling an eviction in a Senagalese community in Madrid, its results and cause – Sorogoyen has shown a fascination with toxic authoritarianism and violence.
There have been few more violent conflicts or chamber of military horrors than the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War,...
- 3/4/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Gearing up for its final-phase filming on locations in northern Spain and North America, Movistar Plus-AMC’s high-end original “La Fortuna,” starring Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci and Clarke Peters (“The Wire”), has shared a behind-the-scenes featurette with Variety.
The on-set first-look comes as Germany’s Beta Film has acquired international rights to “La Fortuna,” which marks the first incursion into drama series direction by Oscar winning director Alejandro Amenabar.
An adventure series, based on the true-to-life discovery of the biggest sunken treasure of all time in 2007, “La Fortuna’s” two-minute making of video marks the first footage of any sort from the six-hour series, one of the most-anticipated TV shows from the Spanish-speaking world.
The teaser forefronts the cast, taking in high-caliber character actors such as T’Nia Miller (“Years & Years”) and Peters, as well as Tucci, who’s gaining heat for his performance in “Supernova.” The video also features...
The on-set first-look comes as Germany’s Beta Film has acquired international rights to “La Fortuna,” which marks the first incursion into drama series direction by Oscar winning director Alejandro Amenabar.
An adventure series, based on the true-to-life discovery of the biggest sunken treasure of all time in 2007, “La Fortuna’s” two-minute making of video marks the first footage of any sort from the six-hour series, one of the most-anticipated TV shows from the Spanish-speaking world.
The teaser forefronts the cast, taking in high-caliber character actors such as T’Nia Miller (“Years & Years”) and Peters, as well as Tucci, who’s gaining heat for his performance in “Supernova.” The video also features...
- 2/25/2021
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano Granada
- Variety Film + TV
A record 500 delegates have signed up for Scandinavia’s leading TV drama confab, TV Drama Vision, which is set to unspool online over Feb. 3-4, parallel to Sweden’s Göteborg Film Festival.
Next to honorary guest – Danish writer-helmer Susanne Bier, 30 keynote speakers will share their insights, business and creative tips on how to boost global industry resilience at a time of unprecedented challenges under Covid-19. Walter Iuzzolino, creator of the international curated streaming service Walter Presents – jointly owned by the U.K.’s Channel Four – will open discussions, in conversation with media analyst Johanna Koljonen, author of Göteborg’s annual Nostradamus Report.
Ampere Analysis exec director Guy Bisson returns to Goteborg for a second year running will analyze a series of TV trends to watch out for in 2021 – which he describes as turning on “compounding.” Festival and market executives Frédéric Pittoors d’Haveskercke (Series Mania), Dennis Ruh (European Film Market...
Next to honorary guest – Danish writer-helmer Susanne Bier, 30 keynote speakers will share their insights, business and creative tips on how to boost global industry resilience at a time of unprecedented challenges under Covid-19. Walter Iuzzolino, creator of the international curated streaming service Walter Presents – jointly owned by the U.K.’s Channel Four – will open discussions, in conversation with media analyst Johanna Koljonen, author of Göteborg’s annual Nostradamus Report.
Ampere Analysis exec director Guy Bisson returns to Goteborg for a second year running will analyze a series of TV trends to watch out for in 2021 – which he describes as turning on “compounding.” Festival and market executives Frédéric Pittoors d’Haveskercke (Series Mania), Dennis Ruh (European Film Market...
- 1/29/2021
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
It is fitting in many ways that Movistar Plus’ “Riot Police” (“Antidisturbios”) saw its world premiere in a theater at one of Europe’s biggest film festivals: September’s San Sebastian in Spain.
Feted by the domestic press — “the best Spanish series of the year,” trumpeted newspaper El Mundo — the Movistar Plus original series has closed sales to France and Latin America with “partners of the highest caliber,” “Riot Police” producer Domingo Corral, Movistar head of original programming, said at San Sebastián.
Co-written — with regular writing partner Isabel Peña and Eduardo Villanueva — and directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, “Riot Police” marks just the latest entry in the seemingly unending diaspora of renowned Spanish cineastes into drama series creation. Director of the 2019 Academy Award-nominated short “Madre” and a short-lived TV director, Sorogoyen broke out as a film director with his first solo feature, 2016’s “May God Save Us,” a San Sebastian screenplay winner,...
Feted by the domestic press — “the best Spanish series of the year,” trumpeted newspaper El Mundo — the Movistar Plus original series has closed sales to France and Latin America with “partners of the highest caliber,” “Riot Police” producer Domingo Corral, Movistar head of original programming, said at San Sebastián.
Co-written — with regular writing partner Isabel Peña and Eduardo Villanueva — and directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, “Riot Police” marks just the latest entry in the seemingly unending diaspora of renowned Spanish cineastes into drama series creation. Director of the 2019 Academy Award-nominated short “Madre” and a short-lived TV director, Sorogoyen broke out as a film director with his first solo feature, 2016’s “May God Save Us,” a San Sebastian screenplay winner,...
- 10/13/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, the BBC picks up Awkwafina’s latest series, Tove Lo preps her acting debut, HBO Nordics and Australia’s ABC make executive hires, Conecta Fiction Reboot and Mip Cancun share details for their updated events, and Banijay closes a first-look deal with U.K. production company Nineteen11.
Acquisition
BBC Three has picked up comedy series “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens” from ViacomCBS International Studios and will make it available to stream exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. later this year.
The 10-part series stars the popular actor-rapper Awkwafina, a Golden Globe winner for her work in “The Farewell,” and is based on her own real-life story growing up in Queens, New York. It co-stars “SNL” alum Bowen Yang, Bd Wong (“Mr Robot”) and Lori Tann Chinn (“Orange is the New Black”).
Lucia Aniello, Natasha Lyonne and Steven K. Tsuchida direct the series, produced...
Acquisition
BBC Three has picked up comedy series “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens” from ViacomCBS International Studios and will make it available to stream exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. later this year.
The 10-part series stars the popular actor-rapper Awkwafina, a Golden Globe winner for her work in “The Farewell,” and is based on her own real-life story growing up in Queens, New York. It co-stars “SNL” alum Bowen Yang, Bd Wong (“Mr Robot”) and Lori Tann Chinn (“Orange is the New Black”).
Lucia Aniello, Natasha Lyonne and Steven K. Tsuchida direct the series, produced...
- 8/19/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Movistar Plus’ first U.S. co-production, “Tell Me Who I Am,” produced with Telemundo, has been sold by Germany’s Beta Film to HBO Latin America, a deal announced today during the sales company’s pioneering live virtual pitching event – Beta Summer Insights.
In addition to the Latin American deal, Telemundo’s boarding production at last year’s Natpe ensured U.S. distribution for the series as well.
One of Movistar Plus’ biggest gambles since moving into original production, deals for U.S. and Latin American distribution look like promising early payback, and that payout is likely.
Based on the popular Spanish novel “Dime Quien Soy” from writer Julia Navarro, the series takes place across multiple decades of the 20th century, kicking off when 30-something internet journalist Javier is tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her...
In addition to the Latin American deal, Telemundo’s boarding production at last year’s Natpe ensured U.S. distribution for the series as well.
One of Movistar Plus’ biggest gambles since moving into original production, deals for U.S. and Latin American distribution look like promising early payback, and that payout is likely.
Based on the popular Spanish novel “Dime Quien Soy” from writer Julia Navarro, the series takes place across multiple decades of the 20th century, kicking off when 30-something internet journalist Javier is tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her...
- 6/18/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
One of the most anticipated of Spanish TV fiction titles for 2021, Movistar Plus’ Original Series “Antidisturbios” (“Riot Police”), the first full TV series created by filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen, was the subject of an international presentation on Tuesday at Conecta Fiction Reboot.
Part of the 4th Latin America-Europe TV co-production meeting, running June 15-18 in Pamplona, Spain, the event has been forced online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An on-site edition is scheduled to return to Pamplona’s Baluarte Congress Center over Sept. 2-3.
Suggesting a strategic aim of strengthening its position not only as a global producer but also as a distributor of at least its key original TV dramas, Telefonica’s Movistar Plus is for the moment directly handling international sales on Sorogoyen’s “Riot Police,” the action thriller mini-series produced for Movistar by Sorogoyen’s Caballo Films and The Lab.
Previous Movistar Plus Original Series have been handled...
Part of the 4th Latin America-Europe TV co-production meeting, running June 15-18 in Pamplona, Spain, the event has been forced online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An on-site edition is scheduled to return to Pamplona’s Baluarte Congress Center over Sept. 2-3.
Suggesting a strategic aim of strengthening its position not only as a global producer but also as a distributor of at least its key original TV dramas, Telefonica’s Movistar Plus is for the moment directly handling international sales on Sorogoyen’s “Riot Police,” the action thriller mini-series produced for Movistar by Sorogoyen’s Caballo Films and The Lab.
Previous Movistar Plus Original Series have been handled...
- 6/17/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Munich-based TV sales company Beta Film is launching an extended virtual sales pitch, titled Beta Summer Insights, which will stream live on June 18 from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (Cest).
Guests will be able to take a look inside Beta’s upcoming productions, which come from across Europe and cover a variety of genres, from period drama to young adult, and from crime procedural to comedy.
The event will include visits to the sets of productions during their shoots, live Q&As with creatives and producers, presentations of upcoming series, and, during the last hour, visitors will be able to enjoy a live screening of two of Beta’s new series.
The event is a next step in Beta’s online marketing strategy, providing a bridge between the international TV markets MipTV and Mipcom, and is given greater urgency given that sales agents are unable to visit their clients for their usual updates.
Guests will be able to take a look inside Beta’s upcoming productions, which come from across Europe and cover a variety of genres, from period drama to young adult, and from crime procedural to comedy.
The event will include visits to the sets of productions during their shoots, live Q&As with creatives and producers, presentations of upcoming series, and, during the last hour, visitors will be able to enjoy a live screening of two of Beta’s new series.
The event is a next step in Beta’s online marketing strategy, providing a bridge between the international TV markets MipTV and Mipcom, and is given greater urgency given that sales agents are unable to visit their clients for their usual updates.
- 6/15/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
In this week’s packed International TV Newswire, as newsflow quickens, Movistar Plus’ first U.S. co-production, with Telemundo, gets release details and a first teaser, Finnish drama “Shadow Lines” sells in the U.S., U.K. and other key territories, Fremantle announces its first steps into kids programming with partner 720 Creative, Red Arrow sells “Vienna Blood” in Europe and Asia, Moonbug brings cartoon “Mia’s Magic Playground” to the Sky in the U.K., and Blue Ant Media launches Smithsonian Channel in South Korea.
Movistar, Telemundo’s “Tell Me Who I Am” Gets First Trailer, Broadcast Details
Movistar Plus, the pay TV and production arm of Spanish telco giant Telefonica, has released the first trailer for its ambitious new series “Tell Me Who I Am,” the company’s first-ever U.S. co-production, following a strategic deal struck with Telemundo at last year’s Natpe, which also guaranteed U.S.
Movistar, Telemundo’s “Tell Me Who I Am” Gets First Trailer, Broadcast Details
Movistar Plus, the pay TV and production arm of Spanish telco giant Telefonica, has released the first trailer for its ambitious new series “Tell Me Who I Am,” the company’s first-ever U.S. co-production, following a strategic deal struck with Telemundo at last year’s Natpe, which also guaranteed U.S.
- 6/12/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Movistar Plus action thriller “Riot Police” (“Antidisturbios”), one of the most buzzed up of drama series from Spain this year, at least among the few who have caught its first episodes, will be brought onto the international market at next month’s Conecta Fiction Reboot.
The unveil comes as Movistar Plus, the pay TV/Svod arm of Spain’s Telefonica, fires up its drive to secure overseas markets for its premium drama slate with -reportedly, one of the most propulsive and full-on action-driven of its series, at least in Ep. 1, where a riot police squad is drafted in to carry out an eviction in the heart of a Senegalese community in Madrid. Captured in Ep. 1, their operation goes drastically awry as one protestor dies.
“Riot Police” marks first full series from Rodrigo Sorogoyen, whose kinetic, social-issue movies plumb the gut humanity of homicide police (“May God Save Us) and politicians...
The unveil comes as Movistar Plus, the pay TV/Svod arm of Spain’s Telefonica, fires up its drive to secure overseas markets for its premium drama slate with -reportedly, one of the most propulsive and full-on action-driven of its series, at least in Ep. 1, where a riot police squad is drafted in to carry out an eviction in the heart of a Senegalese community in Madrid. Captured in Ep. 1, their operation goes drastically awry as one protestor dies.
“Riot Police” marks first full series from Rodrigo Sorogoyen, whose kinetic, social-issue movies plumb the gut humanity of homicide police (“May God Save Us) and politicians...
- 5/29/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio have greenlit development on Season 2 of “Nasdrovia,” an upcoming comedy-drama tracking an ex-couple’s excruciating decent into hell, as they fall into the maws of the Russian mob.
Season 2 is being written by the show’s creators, Sergio Sarra, Miguel Esteban and Luismi Perez, and its showrunnner, Marc Vigil.
“One of the things which we can certainly do in these extraordinary circumstances is develop new shows,” Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus dictator of original fiction, said at an online presentation by Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio on Wednesday.
The Mediapro Studio Distribution handles international sales, with “Nasdrovia” being brought onto the international market via selection for MipTV’s online Drama Buyers Summit, held from late March, and now April 22’s presentation by Corral, showrunner Marc Vigil, and The Mediapro Studio Distribution head Marta Ezpeleta.
Sharply written with a clipped, rhythmic delivery of dialog...
Season 2 is being written by the show’s creators, Sergio Sarra, Miguel Esteban and Luismi Perez, and its showrunnner, Marc Vigil.
“One of the things which we can certainly do in these extraordinary circumstances is develop new shows,” Domingo Corral, Movistar Plus dictator of original fiction, said at an online presentation by Movistar Plus and The Mediapro Studio on Wednesday.
The Mediapro Studio Distribution handles international sales, with “Nasdrovia” being brought onto the international market via selection for MipTV’s online Drama Buyers Summit, held from late March, and now April 22’s presentation by Corral, showrunner Marc Vigil, and The Mediapro Studio Distribution head Marta Ezpeleta.
Sharply written with a clipped, rhythmic delivery of dialog...
- 4/22/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — In one of the first detailed breakdowns from a major European company of marketing strategies in the Series Mania/MipTV online marketplace, Germany’s Beta Film has announced that it will stage a virtual Beta Brunch on March 31.
Nobody will be offered virtual food, but the event will retain some of its flavor, going live at the same time at the traditional event, which also always takes place at midday on the markets’ Tuesday.
It remains to be seen how much of another highlight remains: Jan Mojto taking the stage to deliver a highly entertaining, anecdote-laced, 10-minutes-or-so speech. Mojto is billed this year, but as featuring along with Beta colleagues in an initial video presentation which will explain who is who at the ever-expanding Beta Film empire.
To retain the essence of a live event, however, clients will be provided with a personalized link, which will expire after the live-streaming of this introduction.
Nobody will be offered virtual food, but the event will retain some of its flavor, going live at the same time at the traditional event, which also always takes place at midday on the markets’ Tuesday.
It remains to be seen how much of another highlight remains: Jan Mojto taking the stage to deliver a highly entertaining, anecdote-laced, 10-minutes-or-so speech. Mojto is billed this year, but as featuring along with Beta colleagues in an initial video presentation which will explain who is who at the ever-expanding Beta Film empire.
To retain the essence of a live event, however, clients will be provided with a personalized link, which will expire after the live-streaming of this introduction.
- 3/27/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish erotic thriller Instinto and Nordic Noir thriller Sanctuary are heading to streaming service Starzplay in the UK.
The digital platform will launch the pair of acquisitions from Studiocanal and will launch the scripted series on December 5. Separately, Starzplay will air Starz original drama The Rook in the UK.
Instinto follows Marco Mur, an attractive, successful businessman, whose trauma from his past prevents him from getting emotionally involved with women. Instead, he has intimate encounters in a club where no one knows anyone else. But when his past returns Marco is forced to face it and all the other conflicts in his life. The series stars Mario Casas (The Mule), Ingrid Garcia-Jonsson (Beautiful Youth), Oscar Casas (The Orphanage), Silvia Alonso (Shrew’s Nest) and Bruna Cusi (Red Bracelets).
Created and written by Teresa Fernández-Valdés, Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, it is produced by Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Ramon Campos and executive produced...
The digital platform will launch the pair of acquisitions from Studiocanal and will launch the scripted series on December 5. Separately, Starzplay will air Starz original drama The Rook in the UK.
Instinto follows Marco Mur, an attractive, successful businessman, whose trauma from his past prevents him from getting emotionally involved with women. Instead, he has intimate encounters in a club where no one knows anyone else. But when his past returns Marco is forced to face it and all the other conflicts in his life. The series stars Mario Casas (The Mule), Ingrid Garcia-Jonsson (Beautiful Youth), Oscar Casas (The Orphanage), Silvia Alonso (Shrew’s Nest) and Bruna Cusi (Red Bracelets).
Created and written by Teresa Fernández-Valdés, Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, it is produced by Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Ramon Campos and executive produced...
- 11/19/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
No series better represents Movistar Plus’ push into original, high-end programming than “La Peste” (“The Plague”) – sold internationally by Sky Vision – which broke broadcast records when it launched and returns with Season 2 Nov. 15 and features as a Mipcom Market Screening.
Season 1, which bowed in Spain in January 2018 to the best opening results of any series, aired or available, on the Telefonica-owned pay TV giant, “Gave us a lot of security and convinced us that we could do quality, prestige series which reach large audiences,” says Movistar Plus director of original fiction Domingo Corral.
“We made Season 2 even bigger. It has much more adventure, more action and it opens other stories. It says new things that weren’t said in Season 1,” he adds.
In the first two episodes of Season 2, audiences will see series protagonist Mateo (Pablo Molinero) fight to survive Chile’s harsh Patagonian winter, Spanish galleons traversing the Atlantic,...
Season 1, which bowed in Spain in January 2018 to the best opening results of any series, aired or available, on the Telefonica-owned pay TV giant, “Gave us a lot of security and convinced us that we could do quality, prestige series which reach large audiences,” says Movistar Plus director of original fiction Domingo Corral.
“We made Season 2 even bigger. It has much more adventure, more action and it opens other stories. It says new things that weren’t said in Season 1,” he adds.
In the first two episodes of Season 2, audiences will see series protagonist Mateo (Pablo Molinero) fight to survive Chile’s harsh Patagonian winter, Spanish galleons traversing the Atlantic,...
- 10/15/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
On June 27, 1994, the bodies of a nightclub owner and two dancers were found shot dead in Miramar, Florida. Pablo Ibar, a Spanish-American of Cuban descent was arrested on the basis of a blurry VHS tape, which showed the face of one of the assailants.
Despite a lack of conclusive evidence, in 2000, Ibar was convicted of triple homicide and sentenced to death. His story is now brought to the screen by Movistar Plus, Studiocanal and Bambu Producciones, in “On Death Row,” a four-part miniseries that is a Mipcom Market Screening.
The series, created by Bambu’s Ramon Campos and Gema R. Niera, and based on the non-fiction book of the same title by Spanish journalist Nacho Carretero and research by Olmo Figuredo at Spanish production house La Claqueta, the series charts Ibar’s legal battle to prove his innocence and the support of his family, which has never given up on him.
Despite a lack of conclusive evidence, in 2000, Ibar was convicted of triple homicide and sentenced to death. His story is now brought to the screen by Movistar Plus, Studiocanal and Bambu Producciones, in “On Death Row,” a four-part miniseries that is a Mipcom Market Screening.
The series, created by Bambu’s Ramon Campos and Gema R. Niera, and based on the non-fiction book of the same title by Spanish journalist Nacho Carretero and research by Olmo Figuredo at Spanish production house La Claqueta, the series charts Ibar’s legal battle to prove his innocence and the support of his family, which has never given up on him.
- 10/14/2019
- by Emiliano Granada
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — France’s M6 Group, the country’s second-biggest broadcast network, has acquired free-to-air TV rights to Leticia Dolera’s Canneseries winner “Perfect Life,” a banner Movistar Plus Original Series sold by Beta Film, where three women friends see their life turned upside down by over-30s crises: Hence the photo. .
The deal marks the second milestone deal with a big European network for the eight-part series after Germany’s Rtl Group swooped on free-to-air rights for Germany.
Talks with Poland are being finalized. There are ongoing negotiations for U.S. distribution, as well as with European and Latin American partners, Beta Film sources said Wednesday.
Unusually for a sale, the M6 deal takes in rights to both the original series, which will screen on female/family focused M6 channel Téva, and format rights, acquired by the M6 Group’s production-distribution company Snd with the idea of creating a France-adapted prime time version.
The deal marks the second milestone deal with a big European network for the eight-part series after Germany’s Rtl Group swooped on free-to-air rights for Germany.
Talks with Poland are being finalized. There are ongoing negotiations for U.S. distribution, as well as with European and Latin American partners, Beta Film sources said Wednesday.
Unusually for a sale, the M6 deal takes in rights to both the original series, which will screen on female/family focused M6 channel Téva, and format rights, acquired by the M6 Group’s production-distribution company Snd with the idea of creating a France-adapted prime time version.
- 10/9/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
San Sebastian — “La Casa de Papel” (“Money Heist”) may be the most seen of Spanish series this year. Leticia Dolera’s still-to-bow “Perfect Life,” however, is the most laureled, sweeping at April’s 2nd Canneseries TV festival both best series and best special performance for its female leads, Dolera herself, Celia Freijeiro and Aixa Villagrán, from a jury presided over by “Dark” co-creator Baran bo Odar.
Sold by Beta Film and a Movistar+ Original Series – as women’s voices are heard ever more in its line-up – “Perfect Life’s” full series now world premieres at the San Sebastian’s big screen Velodrome – a sign of its perceived broad audience appeal.
“Winning Canneseries, up against ten other series at a place where Leticia wasn’t well-known, is one of the loveliest things that has happened to me,” says Domingo Corral, Movistar+ head of original fiction.
He adds: “Leticia’s series talks...
Sold by Beta Film and a Movistar+ Original Series – as women’s voices are heard ever more in its line-up – “Perfect Life’s” full series now world premieres at the San Sebastian’s big screen Velodrome – a sign of its perceived broad audience appeal.
“Winning Canneseries, up against ten other series at a place where Leticia wasn’t well-known, is one of the loveliest things that has happened to me,” says Domingo Corral, Movistar+ head of original fiction.
He adds: “Leticia’s series talks...
- 9/20/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Though set in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, “While at War,” Movistar Plus’ first original film, “talks more about present-day Spain than the past,” says director Alejandro Amenábar.
Contemporary relevance and social-issue substance are two hallmarks of Movistar Plus’ productions. Others abound in Amenábar’s movie, which plays in the main competition at the San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival, having world-premiered as a Toronto festival Special Presentation.
A period psychological drama, “While at War” charts Francisco Franco’s rise
to power while writer Miguel de Unamuno, rector of the University of Salamanca, grows increasingly outraged at the barbarity of the Nationalists’ summary executions.
As with many Movistar Plus productions, “While at War” couldn’t have been made so sumptiously without its backing. Movistar boarding the movie was “providential,” says Amenábar. As a project, the film had been rejected or simply ignored by Spain’s free-to-air broadcasters.
“One role of fiction in general — not just series,...
Contemporary relevance and social-issue substance are two hallmarks of Movistar Plus’ productions. Others abound in Amenábar’s movie, which plays in the main competition at the San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival, having world-premiered as a Toronto festival Special Presentation.
A period psychological drama, “While at War” charts Francisco Franco’s rise
to power while writer Miguel de Unamuno, rector of the University of Salamanca, grows increasingly outraged at the barbarity of the Nationalists’ summary executions.
As with many Movistar Plus productions, “While at War” couldn’t have been made so sumptiously without its backing. Movistar boarding the movie was “providential,” says Amenábar. As a project, the film had been rejected or simply ignored by Spain’s free-to-air broadcasters.
“One role of fiction in general — not just series,...
- 9/13/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Bill Bailey (Hot Fuzz) and Naomi Yang (Lilting) are to lead voice cast in Spain-China animation co-pro Dragonkeeper.
Salvador Simó is newly aboard as lead director on the action-adventure feature, having most recently directed Annecy hit Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles, which was recently picked up for the U.S. by GKids. Simó and producer Manuel Cristobal have just returned from work in China with the film’s co-director Jian-Ping Li.
Dragonkeeper centers on Ping, a slave girl who dreams of freedom while looking after imprisoned dragons in the Emperor’s castle. One fateful day a dragon escapes forcing Ping to go on a mission. She must deliver the last dragon egg to the ocean and save the dragons from extinction. On her journey she learns to unlock her special powers as she discovers she is the last true dragonkeeper.
The feature is...
Salvador Simó is newly aboard as lead director on the action-adventure feature, having most recently directed Annecy hit Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles, which was recently picked up for the U.S. by GKids. Simó and producer Manuel Cristobal have just returned from work in China with the film’s co-director Jian-Ping Li.
Dragonkeeper centers on Ping, a slave girl who dreams of freedom while looking after imprisoned dragons in the Emperor’s castle. One fateful day a dragon escapes forcing Ping to go on a mission. She must deliver the last dragon egg to the ocean and save the dragons from extinction. On her journey she learns to unlock her special powers as she discovers she is the last true dragonkeeper.
The feature is...
- 9/5/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Madrid — Rolling off their partnership on “While at War,” one of the biggest and highest-profile Spanish movies of 2019, Academy Award winning director Alejandro Amenábar is now teaming with Movistar +, the pay TV division of Spain’s Telefonica, on the development of a drama series, inspired by the Spanish graphic novel “El tesoro del Cisne Negro.”
Created by comic book artist Paco Roca and Spanish diplomat Guillermo Corral, the six part series will turn on the the Black Swan Project: the Odyssey Marine Exploration’s discovery and recovery and transport to Florida of 17.1 tons of coins from the wreckage of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a 30-gun Spanish frigate sunk by the British Navy off the Portuguese coast in 1804. Beginning in 1807, the Spanish government fought a legal battle through U.S. courts to claim the treasure. claimed to be the biggest shipwreck booty in history, as its own.
An adventure...
Created by comic book artist Paco Roca and Spanish diplomat Guillermo Corral, the six part series will turn on the the Black Swan Project: the Odyssey Marine Exploration’s discovery and recovery and transport to Florida of 17.1 tons of coins from the wreckage of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a 30-gun Spanish frigate sunk by the British Navy off the Portuguese coast in 1804. Beginning in 1807, the Spanish government fought a legal battle through U.S. courts to claim the treasure. claimed to be the biggest shipwreck booty in history, as its own.
An adventure...
- 7/26/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Only a decade ago, Spain was on the periphery of world production, making movies that, as with Pedro Almodovar’s 2019 Cannes competition contender “Pain and Glory,” occasionally sold worldwide.
Now, thanks to an Ott and digital TV revolution, Spain has become a burgeoning global production center.
Take, for instance, Oriol Paulo’s drama “Durante la Tormenta” (“Mirage”), in which a young wife and mother faces the loss of her beloved or the birth of her daughter.
Released in Spain on Nov. 30 by Warner Bros. Pictures, “Mirage” earned a quite modest $867,593. Yet in China, it opened No. 3 on March 27 and grossed $15.9 million.
A Netflix acquisition, the Atresmedia-Think Studio production has moreover gone on to be the only foreign-language movie singled out by Netflix in its April first quarter results, having “seen broad viewing across the world.”
Signs of success were spotted in 2011, when “Gran Hotel,” an original Spanish series, made a...
Now, thanks to an Ott and digital TV revolution, Spain has become a burgeoning global production center.
Take, for instance, Oriol Paulo’s drama “Durante la Tormenta” (“Mirage”), in which a young wife and mother faces the loss of her beloved or the birth of her daughter.
Released in Spain on Nov. 30 by Warner Bros. Pictures, “Mirage” earned a quite modest $867,593. Yet in China, it opened No. 3 on March 27 and grossed $15.9 million.
A Netflix acquisition, the Atresmedia-Think Studio production has moreover gone on to be the only foreign-language movie singled out by Netflix in its April first quarter results, having “seen broad viewing across the world.”
Signs of success were spotted in 2011, when “Gran Hotel,” an original Spanish series, made a...
- 5/17/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Melilla, Spain — Spain’s pay TV leader Movistar+ has announced its newest original series, the anti-terrorist police drama-thriller series “La Unidad,” which started filming last week in the small autonomous Spanish community of Melilla, located on the Moroccan coast.
One of the biggest international plays to date for Movistar +, the pay TV/Svod unit of telecom Telefonica, “La Unidad” re-teams director Dani de la Torre and writer Alberto Marini (“Sleep Tight”), who found audience and international sales success with the 2015 Venice-selected “Retribution” (“El Desconicido”), which won Spanish Academy Goya Awards for new director, editing and sound, as well as six other nominations.
Marini wrote the screenplay with Amèlia Mora, a story editor on famed Spanish horror film “[Rec]” and head of development on “Sleep Tight,” another key Filmax title.
“La Unidad” turns on a group of Spanish Civil Guard anti-terrorist police officers who operate as one of the world most...
One of the biggest international plays to date for Movistar +, the pay TV/Svod unit of telecom Telefonica, “La Unidad” re-teams director Dani de la Torre and writer Alberto Marini (“Sleep Tight”), who found audience and international sales success with the 2015 Venice-selected “Retribution” (“El Desconicido”), which won Spanish Academy Goya Awards for new director, editing and sound, as well as six other nominations.
Marini wrote the screenplay with Amèlia Mora, a story editor on famed Spanish horror film “[Rec]” and head of development on “Sleep Tight,” another key Filmax title.
“La Unidad” turns on a group of Spanish Civil Guard anti-terrorist police officers who operate as one of the world most...
- 4/24/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
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