Top Spanish Titles brought to market at MipTV:
“Dating in Barcelona,” (Filmax)
Produced by Filmax’s Arca, Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat and Prime Video in Spain, a first season of “Dating in Barcelona” bowed last year in Spain to big ratings, both on its first-window debut on 3Cat and on Prime Video, where it became one of the streaming service’s most-watched debuts. A modern take on romance and sex in an online age, “Dating in Barcelona” also reflects a swing in TV towards a lighter, more episodic fare, whether in crime thrillers or other categories. Each episode features two dates which, as Variety has observed, play off each other. Powered in creative terms by Pau Freixas, behind iconic series from “Red Band Society” To “I Know Who You Are” And “Todos Mienten,” All Produced By Filmax, “Dating In Barcelona” features a top-tier cast, this time round in Season...
“Dating in Barcelona,” (Filmax)
Produced by Filmax’s Arca, Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat and Prime Video in Spain, a first season of “Dating in Barcelona” bowed last year in Spain to big ratings, both on its first-window debut on 3Cat and on Prime Video, where it became one of the streaming service’s most-watched debuts. A modern take on romance and sex in an online age, “Dating in Barcelona” also reflects a swing in TV towards a lighter, more episodic fare, whether in crime thrillers or other categories. Each episode features two dates which, as Variety has observed, play off each other. Powered in creative terms by Pau Freixas, behind iconic series from “Red Band Society” To “I Know Who You Are” And “Todos Mienten,” All Produced By Filmax, “Dating In Barcelona” features a top-tier cast, this time round in Season...
- 4/5/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
A Spanish police officer’s life is about to turn upside down as she infiltrates a dangerous lion’s den in the exclusive new teaser trailer for Arantxa Echevarría’s upcoming crime thriller “Undercover.” The film arrives in Spanish cinemas on Oct. 11 courtesy of Beta Fiction Spain.
“Undercover” is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation Eta successfully. The Basque nationalist separatist group killed over 829 people between 1968 and 2010 and injured over 22,000 until its dissolution in 2018.
The film, written by Echevarría and Amèlia Mora, takes place over the eight-year period when Marín was infiltrated and focuses on the mind-shattering fear of discovery that permeated her days during the mission.
The Goya-winning “Carmen and Lola” director reunites with Carolina Yuste, who stars as the undercover agent and plays alongside three-time Goya-winning actor Luis Tosar.
“Undercover” is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation Eta successfully. The Basque nationalist separatist group killed over 829 people between 1968 and 2010 and injured over 22,000 until its dissolution in 2018.
The film, written by Echevarría and Amèlia Mora, takes place over the eight-year period when Marín was infiltrated and focuses on the mind-shattering fear of discovery that permeated her days during the mission.
The Goya-winning “Carmen and Lola” director reunites with Carolina Yuste, who stars as the undercover agent and plays alongside three-time Goya-winning actor Luis Tosar.
- 4/2/2024
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Latido Films scores sales for ‘Re-creation’ with Vicky Krieps, Gerardo Herrero’s ‘Raqqa’ (exclusive)
Madrid-based sales outlet Latido Films has unveiled sales on key titles from its European Film Market and Malaga Film Festival (March 1-10) slates.
Beginning with films in pre-production, Jim Sheridan and David Merriman’s true crime courtroom docu-drama Re-creation starring Vicky Krieps has secured pre-sales for Greece (Spentzos) and Portugal (Outsider). The film sees a fictional jury assess the real-life unsolved murder of French TV producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was found dead at her Ireland holiday home in 1996.
Spy thriller Raqqa from Oscar-winning producer-director Gerardo Herrero has pre-sold to the Middle East (Empire). Herrero’s previous feature, Under Therapy,...
Beginning with films in pre-production, Jim Sheridan and David Merriman’s true crime courtroom docu-drama Re-creation starring Vicky Krieps has secured pre-sales for Greece (Spentzos) and Portugal (Outsider). The film sees a fictional jury assess the real-life unsolved murder of French TV producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was found dead at her Ireland holiday home in 1996.
Spy thriller Raqqa from Oscar-winning producer-director Gerardo Herrero has pre-sold to the Middle East (Empire). Herrero’s previous feature, Under Therapy,...
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Series from Atresmedia TV, Rtve, Movistar Plus+, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (“La Mesías”), Zeta Studios (“Elite”) and director Carlota Pereda and Morena Films (behind Sundance hit “Piggy”) will unspool or be unveiled at the Berlinale. They underscore the breadth and depth of Spanish TV output:
“Death to Love,”
Carlota Pereda dazzled at Sundance with first feature, “Piggy.” Now, Pereda’s at the Berlinale Co-Pro Series on Feb. 20 with her debut series, “Death to Love,” in which afemale vampire struggles over centuries to end a toxic relationship with her vampire female lover and culminates in a modern-day climax. “A visceral and romantic proposition,” Pereda says.
“Dressed in Blue: Veneno Season 2,”
The Sundance world premiere “La Mesías” sealed the standing of Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi as most probably the coolest creative duo in Spain. This time around, they produce, with Mikel Rueda, a director on “Veneno,” and Claudia Costafreda and Ian de la Rosa,...
“Death to Love,”
Carlota Pereda dazzled at Sundance with first feature, “Piggy.” Now, Pereda’s at the Berlinale Co-Pro Series on Feb. 20 with her debut series, “Death to Love,” in which afemale vampire struggles over centuries to end a toxic relationship with her vampire female lover and culminates in a modern-day climax. “A visceral and romantic proposition,” Pereda says.
“Dressed in Blue: Veneno Season 2,”
The Sundance world premiere “La Mesías” sealed the standing of Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi as most probably the coolest creative duo in Spain. This time around, they produce, with Mikel Rueda, a director on “Veneno,” and Claudia Costafreda and Ian de la Rosa,...
- 2/19/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Vicente Canales’ Film Factory has acquired international rights to Arantxa Echevarría’s action thriller Undercover.
It is being produced by Santiago Segura and María Luisa Gutiérrez’s Bowfinger International Pictures in partnership with Beta Fiction Spain (Bfs), and Álvaro Esto también Pasará, with backing from Movistar Plus+, Atresmedia and broadcaster Eitb.
Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar are starring in the film which is now in production. It is based on the story of the 20 year old woman who was the only member of the national police force who managed to infiltrate the Basque terrorist group, Eta and helped to dismantle it.
It is being produced by Santiago Segura and María Luisa Gutiérrez’s Bowfinger International Pictures in partnership with Beta Fiction Spain (Bfs), and Álvaro Esto también Pasará, with backing from Movistar Plus+, Atresmedia and broadcaster Eitb.
Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar are starring in the film which is now in production. It is based on the story of the 20 year old woman who was the only member of the national police force who managed to infiltrate the Basque terrorist group, Eta and helped to dismantle it.
- 2/17/2024
- ScreenDaily
Going into Berlin’s European Film Market, Spain’s biggest sales agents are under no illusion just how tough international markets have become.
“Paradoxically, in one of the best moments for Spanish productions, we are finding that some of our top dramas are getting hard to sell unless selected in Cannes, Venice or Berlin,” says Latido Films CEO Antonio Saura.
Also, “If American productions dominate at least 80% of markets, and local productions claim about half what remains. You’re left with just 10% of markets for many wonderful films to try to find audience opportunities. Competition is fiercer than ever,” he says.
“Many newer platforms are insisting on revenue shares. This rarely works for us,” observes Feel Sales’ Yennifer Fasciani.
Yet companies are fighting back. “Either a film works very well or not at all. Our strategy is increasingly focusing on major titles, leaving no middle ground,” states Film Factory Entertainment’s Vicente Canales,...
“Paradoxically, in one of the best moments for Spanish productions, we are finding that some of our top dramas are getting hard to sell unless selected in Cannes, Venice or Berlin,” says Latido Films CEO Antonio Saura.
Also, “If American productions dominate at least 80% of markets, and local productions claim about half what remains. You’re left with just 10% of markets for many wonderful films to try to find audience opportunities. Competition is fiercer than ever,” he says.
“Many newer platforms are insisting on revenue shares. This rarely works for us,” observes Feel Sales’ Yennifer Fasciani.
Yet companies are fighting back. “Either a film works very well or not at all. Our strategy is increasingly focusing on major titles, leaving no middle ground,” states Film Factory Entertainment’s Vicente Canales,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
There’s a reason that home invasion horror films like The Strangers, Them, The Purge, Hush, Don’t Breathe, Funny Games, and more rank highly among horror fans. The very concept of your private sanctuary getting corrupted and invaded by an unhinged intruder who means you grave harm is inherently terrifying. The realistic thrills of home invasion films can offer some of the most intense horror, and some of the biggest surprises when the formula is subverted.
This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to home invasion horror movies that unleash suspense, chills, violence, and stalker thrills. Here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Angst – Kanopy, Midnight Pulp, Mubi, Tubi
An unconventional, stylized Austrian horror movie that largely influenced Gaspar Noe’s work, Angst follows a psychopath as he’s released from prison and eager to commit crime again. After a botched murder attempt,...
This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to home invasion horror movies that unleash suspense, chills, violence, and stalker thrills. Here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Angst – Kanopy, Midnight Pulp, Mubi, Tubi
An unconventional, stylized Austrian horror movie that largely influenced Gaspar Noe’s work, Angst follows a psychopath as he’s released from prison and eager to commit crime again. After a botched murder attempt,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Yet another batch of Dark Sky Films titles have made their way onto Screambox, joining previously dropped classics Willow Creek, Minor Premise, and The Deeper You Dig (details), as well as Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary, Landlocked, and Possum (details), Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 1 & 2, and Emelie (details), and even Stake Land, Summer of Blood, & Bitter Feast (details).
First, from master of horror Tobe Hooper, Eaten Alive has now taken a bite out of Screambox.
The ’70s killer crocodile flick features The Addams Family‘s Carolyn Jones, a pre-Freddy-Krueger Robert Englund, and Halloween‘s Kyle Richards.
In the film, “Deep in the swamps of Louisiana, disfigured psychotic Judd (Neville Brand) manages a sleazy, decaying motel. Upon learning that one of his guests is a prostitute, he promptly impales her with a pitchfork and tosses her to the crocodile that stalks the nearby waters. This is just the first in a series of slayings,...
First, from master of horror Tobe Hooper, Eaten Alive has now taken a bite out of Screambox.
The ’70s killer crocodile flick features The Addams Family‘s Carolyn Jones, a pre-Freddy-Krueger Robert Englund, and Halloween‘s Kyle Richards.
In the film, “Deep in the swamps of Louisiana, disfigured psychotic Judd (Neville Brand) manages a sleazy, decaying motel. Upon learning that one of his guests is a prostitute, he promptly impales her with a pitchfork and tosses her to the crocodile that stalks the nearby waters. This is just the first in a series of slayings,...
- 12/15/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Once again, Neeson’s fictional family is danger – this time on an explosive school run – but the action is driverless
A bomb disposal thriller should usually be good for some cheesy entertainment. But this feels generic and unexcitingly acted, a by-the-numbers bit of work, remade from the 2015 Spanish movie El Desconocido, or The Stranger, starring Luis Tosar, which was itself borrowing heavily from such high-concept Hollywood jeopardy items as Speed and Phone Booth. And putting Liam Neeson in this new version is all too clearly designed to appeal to another customer fanbase, that of Neeson’s kidnap drama franchise Taken.
Neeson is in every sense phoning it in as Matt Turner, a financial trader in Berlin, living in a flashy house, working too hard, worried that clients are getting cross due to the risky investment advice he’s been giving lately and hardly realising his marriage is crumbling due to his neglect.
A bomb disposal thriller should usually be good for some cheesy entertainment. But this feels generic and unexcitingly acted, a by-the-numbers bit of work, remade from the 2015 Spanish movie El Desconocido, or The Stranger, starring Luis Tosar, which was itself borrowing heavily from such high-concept Hollywood jeopardy items as Speed and Phone Booth. And putting Liam Neeson in this new version is all too clearly designed to appeal to another customer fanbase, that of Neeson’s kidnap drama franchise Taken.
Neeson is in every sense phoning it in as Matt Turner, a financial trader in Berlin, living in a flashy house, working too hard, worried that clients are getting cross due to the risky investment advice he’s been giving lately and hardly realising his marriage is crumbling due to his neglect.
- 10/26/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Debut edition of festival wrapped on October 12.
Spanish series Entrevias has won the audience award in the fiction section of the inaugural South International Series Festival which wrapped yesterday (October 12). Music documentary series Macarena won the audience prize in the festival’s non-fiction section.
Entrevias, now in its third season, is produced by Mediaset España and Alea Media for Telecinco. The series centres on a war veteran who takes matters into his own hands when his teenage granddaughter falls victim to the drug dealers overtaking his neighbourhood.
Documentary series Macarena, produced by Producciones del Barrio for Spanish streamer Movistar Plus...
Spanish series Entrevias has won the audience award in the fiction section of the inaugural South International Series Festival which wrapped yesterday (October 12). Music documentary series Macarena won the audience prize in the festival’s non-fiction section.
Entrevias, now in its third season, is produced by Mediaset España and Alea Media for Telecinco. The series centres on a war veteran who takes matters into his own hands when his teenage granddaughter falls victim to the drug dealers overtaking his neighbourhood.
Documentary series Macarena, produced by Producciones del Barrio for Spanish streamer Movistar Plus...
- 10/13/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
As earning significant profile for shows in a packed marketplace has become one of Europe’s most pressing industry concerns, a new and ambitious TV series festival is launching in Cadiz, southern Spain, as an initiative of Mediaset España and backed by shows from other key players on the Spanish TV scene, such as The Mediapro Studio and Movistar Plus+.
Speakers from the Spanish-speaking world take in writer-director-producer Armando Bo (“El Presidente”), an Oscar winning scribe for “Birdman, or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance,” and Daniel Écija, an executive producer on key hits in the last decade in Spain such as the multi-genre free-to-air series “Estoy Vivo,” and “Locked Up” “(Vis a vis,” a key into its lift-off into premium drama selling worldwide.
Some titles screening at Cadiz are already celebrated, such as Russell T. Davies’ “Nolly,” starring Helena Bonham-Carter.
Also in the Coming Next section is Norwegian political satire “Power Play,...
Speakers from the Spanish-speaking world take in writer-director-producer Armando Bo (“El Presidente”), an Oscar winning scribe for “Birdman, or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance,” and Daniel Écija, an executive producer on key hits in the last decade in Spain such as the multi-genre free-to-air series “Estoy Vivo,” and “Locked Up” “(Vis a vis,” a key into its lift-off into premium drama selling worldwide.
Some titles screening at Cadiz are already celebrated, such as Russell T. Davies’ “Nolly,” starring Helena Bonham-Carter.
Also in the Coming Next section is Norwegian political satire “Power Play,...
- 10/6/2023
- by Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Cadiz-based festival kicks off today with gala for refugee drama ’La Ley Del Mar’.
The inaugural South International Series Festival has unveiled its industry programme which runs alongside its progamme of public screenings and events from October 6-12.
Based in the ancient port city of Cadiz, the festival launches today with an opening gala for refugee drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, produced by Studio 60, Rtve and A punt. Some 45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
The inaugural South International Series Festival has unveiled its industry programme which runs alongside its progamme of public screenings and events from October 6-12.
Based in the ancient port city of Cadiz, the festival launches today with an opening gala for refugee drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, produced by Studio 60, Rtve and A punt. Some 45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
- 10/6/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
45 series will play in the festival’s official selection across five different sections
Refugee drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, is to open the first edition of the South International Series Festival in Cádiz, which runs from October 6-12.
Some 45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
See below for full line-up
Based on a true story, La Ley Del Mar is about the first European fishing boat that in 2006 rescued 51 sub-Saharan refugees adrift in the Mediterranean.
Refugee drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, is to open the first edition of the South International Series Festival in Cádiz, which runs from October 6-12.
Some 45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
See below for full line-up
Based on a true story, La Ley Del Mar is about the first European fishing boat that in 2006 rescued 51 sub-Saharan refugees adrift in the Mediterranean.
- 9/21/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
45 series will play in the festival’s official selection across five different sections
Migration drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, is to open the first edition of the South International Series Festival in Cádiz, which run from October 6-12.
45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
See below for full line-up
Based on a true story, La Ley Del Mar is about the first European fishing boat that in 2006 rescued 51 sub-Saharan immigrants adrift in the Mediterranean. The...
Migration drama La Ley del Mar, starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, is to open the first edition of the South International Series Festival in Cádiz, which run from October 6-12.
45 series will play in the festival’s official selection in five different sections. Another 60 titles, spanning both fiction and non-fiction, will have previews and screenings.
See below for full line-up
Based on a true story, La Ley Del Mar is about the first European fishing boat that in 2006 rescued 51 sub-Saharan immigrants adrift in the Mediterranean. The...
- 9/21/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Madrid-based Latido Films has unveiled a slew of sales during the summer, led by standout deals reached on Daniel Calparsoro’s thriller “All the Names of God” and Gerardo Herrero’s comedy “Under Therapy.”
The announcement comes as the 20 year-old company Latido disclosed early sales deals to Javier Fesser’s “Championext,” the sequel to his comedy blockbuster “Champions”- which has become Spain’s biggest box office hit of 2023, scoring €7.52 million ($8.08 million) and 1.2 million tickets sold through Sept. 3, three weekends after its Aug. 18 release.
Latido deal details add some much needed granularity to the state of the non-English language sales scene as major festivals take place at Venice and now Toronto.
A Bullish Summer
“It has been a good summer for Latido. And we hope for an even better fall,” explained Latido CEO Antonio Saura.
“The way the post-covid market works is not only linked to the market events themselves.
The announcement comes as the 20 year-old company Latido disclosed early sales deals to Javier Fesser’s “Championext,” the sequel to his comedy blockbuster “Champions”- which has become Spain’s biggest box office hit of 2023, scoring €7.52 million ($8.08 million) and 1.2 million tickets sold through Sept. 3, three weekends after its Aug. 18 release.
Latido deal details add some much needed granularity to the state of the non-English language sales scene as major festivals take place at Venice and now Toronto.
A Bullish Summer
“It has been a good summer for Latido. And we hope for an even better fall,” explained Latido CEO Antonio Saura.
“The way the post-covid market works is not only linked to the market events themselves.
- 9/7/2023
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
During a masterclass at the Nouvelles Vagues Festival in Biarritz, France, Penélope Cruz revealed that she will soon make her directorial debut with a mystery documentary feature.
Cruz, a guest of honor of this inaugural edition of Nouvelles Vagues, took part in a Q&a following the French premiere of “On the Fringe,” a commentary on Spain’s eviction crisis which she produced with Alvaro Longoria. Set over the course of 24 hours in a working class neighborhood of Madrid, the film follows several marginalized characters whose fates are intertwined as they struggle financially and face eviction.
Cruz said she set up her production company, Moonlyon, with Laura Espeso (“The Good Boss”) and Spanish powerhouse Mediapro Studio in 2022 to pursue “meaningful” projects as a producer and director.
“I was telling my friend Pedro Almodóvar that ‘I really want to do this. Do you think I should?’ And he always told me,...
Cruz, a guest of honor of this inaugural edition of Nouvelles Vagues, took part in a Q&a following the French premiere of “On the Fringe,” a commentary on Spain’s eviction crisis which she produced with Alvaro Longoria. Set over the course of 24 hours in a working class neighborhood of Madrid, the film follows several marginalized characters whose fates are intertwined as they struggle financially and face eviction.
Cruz said she set up her production company, Moonlyon, with Laura Espeso (“The Good Boss”) and Spanish powerhouse Mediapro Studio in 2022 to pursue “meaningful” projects as a producer and director.
“I was telling my friend Pedro Almodóvar that ‘I really want to do this. Do you think I should?’ And he always told me,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
London- and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation is launching sales on the remake rights of Spanish thriller “Fatum.”
Directed by Juan Gualinanes and produced by Vaca Films, the outfit behind box office successes “Sky High” and “Cell 211,” “Fatum” was released in Spain by Universal Studios on April 28. Film Constellation has already reported sales to 50 territories on the original Spanish version.
A compulsive gambler and an elite sniper’s destinies meet on a fateful day when the local betting house gets robbed. When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The film is headlined by a strong cast including Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
“Fatum” is produced by Borja Pena and Emma Lustres of Vaca Films, in association with Playtime, with the participation of Prime Video, Rtve, Crtvg,...
Directed by Juan Gualinanes and produced by Vaca Films, the outfit behind box office successes “Sky High” and “Cell 211,” “Fatum” was released in Spain by Universal Studios on April 28. Film Constellation has already reported sales to 50 territories on the original Spanish version.
A compulsive gambler and an elite sniper’s destinies meet on a fateful day when the local betting house gets robbed. When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The film is headlined by a strong cast including Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
“Fatum” is produced by Borja Pena and Emma Lustres of Vaca Films, in association with Playtime, with the participation of Prime Video, Rtve, Crtvg,...
- 5/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
If you liked the movie, here comes the series with the same people in charge, Daniel Calparsoro as the director and Jorge Guerricaechevarría handling the script, offering us this intense crime thriller which is full of rhythm that we liked so much, and that, on the same creative lines, also give us this spectacular action series.
Starring Asia Ortega, Luis Tosar y Álvaro Rico.
Enjoy.
About the Series
Sky High: The Series offers a little of what everyone expects, and in all the best senses: it knows how to turn a good movie into a highly entertaining series which gives the viewer exactly what he or she is looking for and they won’t end up in the least disappointed.
Eight episodes full of plots at the unique Calparsoro pace, who, without inventing anything, knows how to build this violent thriller full of grit like no one else does,...
Starring Asia Ortega, Luis Tosar y Álvaro Rico.
Enjoy.
About the Series
Sky High: The Series offers a little of what everyone expects, and in all the best senses: it knows how to turn a good movie into a highly entertaining series which gives the viewer exactly what he or she is looking for and they won’t end up in the least disappointed.
Eight episodes full of plots at the unique Calparsoro pace, who, without inventing anything, knows how to build this violent thriller full of grit like no one else does,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Ana Gomez
- Martin Cid - TV
Cementing their place as auteurs of the absurd, Spanish writer-directors Juan González and Nando Martínez, of creative outfit Burnin Percebes, presented their latest feature “The Fantastic Golem Affairs,” to audiences at the Malaga Film Festival.
A sci-fi caper that embodies the duo’s freeform, standalone filmmaking style, it competed alongside further buzz titles “20.000 Species Of Bees,” from Spanish director Estíbaliz Urresola, and Gerardo Herrero’s,“Under Therapy.”
Selected for Canada’s Fantasia Film Festival, it begins after a night of heavy drinking, with quintessential bachelor Juan and his friend David playing a game of charades on the roof. During a highly-animated round, David falls from the ledge and shatters into a million ceramic pieces. The event sets off a fiendishly ludicrous odyssey through Juan’s daily affairs as he seeks to uncover the truth behind his ruptured relationship.
With a keen eye on the absurd, the film ponders death,...
A sci-fi caper that embodies the duo’s freeform, standalone filmmaking style, it competed alongside further buzz titles “20.000 Species Of Bees,” from Spanish director Estíbaliz Urresola, and Gerardo Herrero’s,“Under Therapy.”
Selected for Canada’s Fantasia Film Festival, it begins after a night of heavy drinking, with quintessential bachelor Juan and his friend David playing a game of charades on the roof. During a highly-animated round, David falls from the ledge and shatters into a million ceramic pieces. The event sets off a fiendishly ludicrous odyssey through Juan’s daily affairs as he seeks to uncover the truth behind his ruptured relationship.
With a keen eye on the absurd, the film ponders death,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Holly Jones
- Variety Film + TV
In a sign of a new ebullience in Spain’s film industry, Spain’s Elamedia Estudios, founded by Roberto Butragueño is launching Sideral, an integrated production-distribution-sales label which makes its debut presenting at the Berlinale Co-Production Market the feature project “Cheaper Than Stealing.”
Titles Sideral handles either in international sales, production or distribution take in “In the Sultan’s Bedchamber,” from San Sebastian best director winner Javier Rebollo (“Woman Without Piano”), a Sideral production; “The Fantastic Golem,” Affairs” from hot Spanish duo Burning Percebes, which it sells abroad, and “I Have Electric Dreams,” Costa Rican Valerie Maurel’s Locarno best director, actor and actress winner.
Underscoring its status as a new force on Spain’s movie scene, Sideral has confirmed 22 production, distribution or sales titles.
“From several years back, Elamedia has been backing many titles. Now we’re ramping up production and domestic distribution and want to create a brand which is identifiable,...
Titles Sideral handles either in international sales, production or distribution take in “In the Sultan’s Bedchamber,” from San Sebastian best director winner Javier Rebollo (“Woman Without Piano”), a Sideral production; “The Fantastic Golem,” Affairs” from hot Spanish duo Burning Percebes, which it sells abroad, and “I Have Electric Dreams,” Costa Rican Valerie Maurel’s Locarno best director, actor and actress winner.
Underscoring its status as a new force on Spain’s movie scene, Sideral has confirmed 22 production, distribution or sales titles.
“From several years back, Elamedia has been backing many titles. Now we’re ramping up production and domestic distribution and want to create a brand which is identifiable,...
- 2/17/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s ’The Beasts’ has 17 nominations.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s The Beasts leads the nominees for Spain’s prestigious Goya awards, with 17, followed closely by Alberto Rodríguez’s Prison 77 on 16.
The Beasts, which had its world premiere at Cannes, centres around a French couple who cause tensions in the local village to which they move. The psychological thriller is nominated in all major categories including best film where it lines up with Prison 77, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s Lullaby, Pilar Palomero’s La Maternal and Carla Simón’s Golden Bear winner Alcarràs.
Scroll down for the full nominations
Alcarràs is...
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s The Beasts leads the nominees for Spain’s prestigious Goya awards, with 17, followed closely by Alberto Rodríguez’s Prison 77 on 16.
The Beasts, which had its world premiere at Cannes, centres around a French couple who cause tensions in the local village to which they move. The psychological thriller is nominated in all major categories including best film where it lines up with Prison 77, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s Lullaby, Pilar Palomero’s La Maternal and Carla Simón’s Golden Bear winner Alcarràs.
Scroll down for the full nominations
Alcarràs is...
- 12/1/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film Constellation has sealed a raft of deals on Spanish director Juan Galiñanes’s upcoming thriller Fatum, as it continues sales on the title at the AFM with a first promo.
The film has been acquired for France (Canal+), Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy (Plaion) and Latin America (California Filmes).
The Spanish-language feature brings together a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper, whose destinies become intertwined on a fateful day when the local betting shop gets robbed.
When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The cast features Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
The production will be released in Spain in 2023 by Universal Studios.
The film has been acquired for France (Canal+), Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy (Plaion) and Latin America (California Filmes).
The Spanish-language feature brings together a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper, whose destinies become intertwined on a fateful day when the local betting shop gets robbed.
When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The cast features Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
The production will be released in Spain in 2023 by Universal Studios.
- 11/3/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The immigrant drama follows a man trying to reunite with his wife and daughter in Spain.
Barcelona-based Filmax will handle world sales for Benito Zambrano’s next feature Jumping The Fence, a co-production between Spain’s Cine 365 and Castelao Productions, and France’s Noodles.
Jumping The Fence tracks Ibrahim who, years ago, migrated from Guinea to Spain where he now has his roots with Mariama. Their quiet lives are turned upside down when he is deported back to Guinea, and he sets out to return to Spain and be reunited with his wife and daughter.
Moussa Sylla, Nansi Nsue...
Barcelona-based Filmax will handle world sales for Benito Zambrano’s next feature Jumping The Fence, a co-production between Spain’s Cine 365 and Castelao Productions, and France’s Noodles.
Jumping The Fence tracks Ibrahim who, years ago, migrated from Guinea to Spain where he now has his roots with Mariama. Their quiet lives are turned upside down when he is deported back to Guinea, and he sets out to return to Spain and be reunited with his wife and daughter.
Moussa Sylla, Nansi Nsue...
- 11/3/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
London and Paris-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation has inked a first raft of pre-sales on romantic thriller “Haunted Heart” by Academy Award-winning director Fernando Trueba (“Belle Époque”), and starring Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon (“Crash”).
The film sold in Latin America (California Filmes), Italy (Plaion), Greece and Turkey (Tanweer) and Cis (Nashe Kino). Film Constellation has unveiled the first still from the film, and will be introducing a teaser promo to buyers during the American Film Market this week.
The English-language film, also starring Aida Folch (“The Artist and the Model”) and Juan Pablo Urrego (“Memoria”), is shooting in Greece.
The film is set on a remote island in Greece, where Alex joins the team of a boutique seaside restaurant as their new waitress. Despite her femme-fatale charm quickly winning the heart of the charismatic Enrico, she instead falls for the enigmatic restaurant manager Max, a reclusive American,...
The film sold in Latin America (California Filmes), Italy (Plaion), Greece and Turkey (Tanweer) and Cis (Nashe Kino). Film Constellation has unveiled the first still from the film, and will be introducing a teaser promo to buyers during the American Film Market this week.
The English-language film, also starring Aida Folch (“The Artist and the Model”) and Juan Pablo Urrego (“Memoria”), is shooting in Greece.
The film is set on a remote island in Greece, where Alex joins the team of a boutique seaside restaurant as their new waitress. Despite her femme-fatale charm quickly winning the heart of the charismatic Enrico, she instead falls for the enigmatic restaurant manager Max, a reclusive American,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The upcoming edition with be Hunter’s last.
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has set the first titles for its 2023 edition (March 1-12), as well as confirming that the upcoming edition will be festival co-director Allan Hunter’s last.
The 19th edition’s country focus will be Spain. The strand, titled ‘2023 Country Focus: Viva el cine español!’, will include Venice premiere On The Fringe. The social-realist drama is the directorial debut of The Suicide Squad actor Juan Diego Botto, and stars Penélope Cruz and Luis Tosar.
Also playing will be Spanish filmmaker Alberto Rodríguez’s Prison 77, which was the opening night film at San Sebastian.
Glasgow Film Festival (Gff) has set the first titles for its 2023 edition (March 1-12), as well as confirming that the upcoming edition will be festival co-director Allan Hunter’s last.
The 19th edition’s country focus will be Spain. The strand, titled ‘2023 Country Focus: Viva el cine español!’, will include Venice premiere On The Fringe. The social-realist drama is the directorial debut of The Suicide Squad actor Juan Diego Botto, and stars Penélope Cruz and Luis Tosar.
Also playing will be Spanish filmmaker Alberto Rodríguez’s Prison 77, which was the opening night film at San Sebastian.
- 10/24/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Feature projects range from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi.
Ten Latin American feature projects have been pitched to potential partners at Iberseries & Platino Industria’s first co-production forum which took place in Madrid on September 28 and was organised in collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff).
The Forum ran as part of the second Iberseries & Platino Industria event, which took place from September 27-29.
The projects ranged from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi. Two of the projects, by Clarisa Navas and Ulysses Porra, were given the opportunity to pitch in Madrid having previously garnered a strong response at...
Ten Latin American feature projects have been pitched to potential partners at Iberseries & Platino Industria’s first co-production forum which took place in Madrid on September 28 and was organised in collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff).
The Forum ran as part of the second Iberseries & Platino Industria event, which took place from September 27-29.
The projects ranged from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi. Two of the projects, by Clarisa Navas and Ulysses Porra, were given the opportunity to pitch in Madrid having previously garnered a strong response at...
- 10/1/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
Feature projects range from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi.
Ten Latin American feature projects have been pitched to potential partners at Iberseries & Platino Industria’s first co-production forum which took place in Madrid on September 28 and was organised in collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff).
The Forum ran as part of the second Iberseries & Platino Industria event, which took place from September 27-29.
The projects ranged from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi. Two of the projects, by Clarisa Navas and Ulysses Porra, were given the opportunity to pitch in Madrid having previously garnered a strong response at...
Ten Latin American feature projects have been pitched to potential partners at Iberseries & Platino Industria’s first co-production forum which took place in Madrid on September 28 and was organised in collaboration with the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff).
The Forum ran as part of the second Iberseries & Platino Industria event, which took place from September 27-29.
The projects ranged from eco-thrillers to animation and sci-fi. Two of the projects, by Clarisa Navas and Ulysses Porra, were given the opportunity to pitch in Madrid having previously garnered a strong response at...
- 10/1/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga
- ScreenDaily
Juan Diego Botto’s feature film debut is a heart-breaking social drama and scathing critique of the neoliberal structures that have resulted in a catastrophic eviction crisis in Spain, where more than 400,000 people have been forced out of their homes over the past decade.
“On the Fringe” screens in the Zurich Film Festival’s country focus sidebar, New World View, which this year showcases works from new Spanish filmmakers.
The impressive achievement, which premiered in Venice, grew out of a conversation Botto had with friend Penélope Cruz after she saw a play he had written and was starring in. She suggested he write a script for a project they could do together, perhaps a relationship drama, something to do with jealousy, the Argentine-Spanish multi-hyphenate recalls.
Botto began by writing a scene centering on a couple having a heated, jealousy-soaked argument the night before their eviction – the real cause of their suppressed fear and anger.
“On the Fringe” screens in the Zurich Film Festival’s country focus sidebar, New World View, which this year showcases works from new Spanish filmmakers.
The impressive achievement, which premiered in Venice, grew out of a conversation Botto had with friend Penélope Cruz after she saw a play he had written and was starring in. She suggested he write a script for a project they could do together, perhaps a relationship drama, something to do with jealousy, the Argentine-Spanish multi-hyphenate recalls.
Botto began by writing a scene centering on a couple having a heated, jealousy-soaked argument the night before their eviction – the real cause of their suppressed fear and anger.
- 9/29/2022
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Falling somewhere between Ken Loach’s most recent films about poverty and a telenovela, On the Fringe, Juan Diego Botto’s debut as a director, sets out to give a snapshot of Spain’s eviction crisis. An end-title tells us that around a hundred households are evicted every day in Spain, but the story could be told in any city where jobs are scarce and wages are falling – in other words, almost anywhere.
Botto aims to give the crisis a human face – or, more exactly, human faces – by relating one day in the lives of several families whose lives are connected, whether they know it or not, by their imminent homelessness. It is overwrought, but certainly well-meaning. The film premiered in the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section and also played at San Sebastián.
2022 Venice Film Festival – Photo Gallery
Penélope Cruz, both the...
Botto aims to give the crisis a human face – or, more exactly, human faces – by relating one day in the lives of several families whose lives are connected, whether they know it or not, by their imminent homelessness. It is overwrought, but certainly well-meaning. The film premiered in the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section and also played at San Sebastián.
2022 Venice Film Festival – Photo Gallery
Penélope Cruz, both the...
- 9/29/2022
- by Stephanie Bunbury
- Deadline Film + TV
The Spain-Chile-Argentina co-pro plans to shoot in Antartica in 2023.
Spanish actor Luis Tosar has signed to star in Chilean director Sebastián Araya’s eco action thriller Antártica, alongside Ginés Garcia Millán. Tosar will play a geologist hired to locate a philanthropist who has gone missing on a field trip in Antarctica. During the rescue expedition, they discover an ancient pyramid buried under the Antarctic ice that questions both the real motives of their quest and the origins of humankind.
The project is structured as a Spain-Chile- Argentina co-production between Spain’s Zircozine, Chile’s Afrofilms, and Argentina’s Tango Films.
Spanish actor Luis Tosar has signed to star in Chilean director Sebastián Araya’s eco action thriller Antártica, alongside Ginés Garcia Millán. Tosar will play a geologist hired to locate a philanthropist who has gone missing on a field trip in Antarctica. During the rescue expedition, they discover an ancient pyramid buried under the Antarctic ice that questions both the real motives of their quest and the origins of humankind.
The project is structured as a Spain-Chile- Argentina co-production between Spain’s Zircozine, Chile’s Afrofilms, and Argentina’s Tango Films.
- 9/26/2022
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Actor’s directorial debut plays in San Sebastián’s Perlak section.
Actor Juan Diego Botto’s first feature as a director is On The Fringe, starring Penélope Cruz, which comes to San Sebastián’s Perlak (Pearls) section fresh from its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
The social-realist drama about eviction and economic crisis focuses on three central characters: Rafa (Luis Tosar), a lawyer and activist whose altruistic instincts come at the expense of stability in his own life and family; supermarket worker Azucena (Penelope Cruz), a wife and mother who is a day away from eviction from her...
Actor Juan Diego Botto’s first feature as a director is On The Fringe, starring Penélope Cruz, which comes to San Sebastián’s Perlak (Pearls) section fresh from its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
The social-realist drama about eviction and economic crisis focuses on three central characters: Rafa (Luis Tosar), a lawyer and activist whose altruistic instincts come at the expense of stability in his own life and family; supermarket worker Azucena (Penelope Cruz), a wife and mother who is a day away from eviction from her...
- 9/19/2022
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
After wowing a home crowd at the opening night of the San Sebastián Film Festival on Friday, looking dazzling at 48, Spain’s best-known actress, Penélope Cruz, spoke to a packed auditorium at the city’s Tabakalera culture center on Saturday when she was honored with Spain’s National Cinematography Prize.
“It is truly an honor for me to receive this National Cinematography Prize,” said Cruz speaking in Spanish.
“Cinema is and has been my passion since I was a child. Since I dreamed in the living room of my parents’ house of worlds to explore beyond our neighbourhood. The streets of my neighborhood sometimes became sets for incredible stories,” she went on. “My childhood was fantasizing about acting, living life so intensely to be able to encompass many lives through dozens of characters.”
Cruz received two standing ovations during the ceremony. Cruz was presented the award by Spain’s Minister of Culture and Sports,...
“It is truly an honor for me to receive this National Cinematography Prize,” said Cruz speaking in Spanish.
“Cinema is and has been my passion since I was a child. Since I dreamed in the living room of my parents’ house of worlds to explore beyond our neighbourhood. The streets of my neighborhood sometimes became sets for incredible stories,” she went on. “My childhood was fantasizing about acting, living life so intensely to be able to encompass many lives through dozens of characters.”
Cruz received two standing ovations during the ceremony. Cruz was presented the award by Spain’s Minister of Culture and Sports,...
- 9/17/2022
- by Liza Foreman
- Variety Film + TV
I’ll always primarily think of Greg Sestero as the young Andre Toulon from Full Moon‘s 1999 release Retro Puppet Master, but for many movie fans he is best known for playing the role of Mark in director Tommy Wiseau’s “disasterpiece” The Room. After the experience of working on The Room, Sestero wrote a book about the making of the film that was called The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made, which served as the basis for the movie The Disaster Artist. Now Sestero has made his feature directorial debut with the horror film Miracle Valley, and Deadline reports that the film is going to be released through the Tubi streaming service on September 16th. With that date just three days away, check out the trailer for Miracle Valley in the embed above to see whether or not this looks like something...
- 9/13/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The Juan Galiñanes-directed title stars Spanish actor Luis Tosar.
London and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation has boarded sales on upcoming Spanish thriller Fatum, directed by Juan Galiñanes, and currently in production.
It stars Spanish talent including Cell 211 and Sky High star Luis Tosar, Unknown Origins’ Álex García, The Skin I Live In’s Elena Anaya and Elite’s Arón Piper, and will shoot in Spain.
Universal Studios will release the film in Spain next year.
The thriller unfolds as a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper meet when a local betting house gets robbed.
London and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation has boarded sales on upcoming Spanish thriller Fatum, directed by Juan Galiñanes, and currently in production.
It stars Spanish talent including Cell 211 and Sky High star Luis Tosar, Unknown Origins’ Álex García, The Skin I Live In’s Elena Anaya and Elite’s Arón Piper, and will shoot in Spain.
Universal Studios will release the film in Spain next year.
The thriller unfolds as a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper meet when a local betting house gets robbed.
- 8/31/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Spanish thesp Luis Tosar has joined the cast of sci-fi comedy “Golem,” produced by Spain’s top indie house Aquí y Allí Films.
Directed by Juan González and Fernando Martínez (a.k.a. Burnin’ Percebes), the project toplines Brays Efe, star of Netflix hit series “Paquita Salas,” Goya Award winner Bruna Cusí (“Summer 1993”) and Javier Botet.
Aquí y Allí Films’ Pedro Hernández and Elamedia’s Roberto Butragueño produce the film, scheduled to roll in Madrid from August.
Elamedia will distribute in Spain.
Aquí y Allí is one of the five Spanish companies selected by Spain’s trade promotion board Icex and the Icaa film institute to pitch their production slates at Cannes’ Producers Network.
Burnin’ Percebes earned a reputation as a cult indie film pair with previous features “Searching for Meritxell,” “Ikea 2” and “The Lizard Queen.”
“Golem” narrates the story of two friends, Juan and David, who after an...
Directed by Juan González and Fernando Martínez (a.k.a. Burnin’ Percebes), the project toplines Brays Efe, star of Netflix hit series “Paquita Salas,” Goya Award winner Bruna Cusí (“Summer 1993”) and Javier Botet.
Aquí y Allí Films’ Pedro Hernández and Elamedia’s Roberto Butragueño produce the film, scheduled to roll in Madrid from August.
Elamedia will distribute in Spain.
Aquí y Allí is one of the five Spanish companies selected by Spain’s trade promotion board Icex and the Icaa film institute to pitch their production slates at Cannes’ Producers Network.
Burnin’ Percebes earned a reputation as a cult indie film pair with previous features “Searching for Meritxell,” “Ikea 2” and “The Lizard Queen.”
“Golem” narrates the story of two friends, Juan and David, who after an...
- 5/26/2022
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Daniel Calparsoro to direct upcoming feature starring Luis Tosar.
Daniel Calparsoro’s buzzy Spanish-language action thriller package All The Names Of God, is selling strongly for Madrid-based Latido Films.
Koch Media has acquired rights for Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while Kinovista has bought France. Tripictures has Spanish rights.
The film is set to shoot in October and is about a taxi driver played by Luis Tosar, who is taken hostage after a terrorist attack by one of the survivors. Inma Cuesta co-stars as a detective.
Producers are Second Gen Pictures and Wanda Visión.
Calparsoro is an experienced director of...
Daniel Calparsoro’s buzzy Spanish-language action thriller package All The Names Of God, is selling strongly for Madrid-based Latido Films.
Koch Media has acquired rights for Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while Kinovista has bought France. Tripictures has Spanish rights.
The film is set to shoot in October and is about a taxi driver played by Luis Tosar, who is taken hostage after a terrorist attack by one of the survivors. Inma Cuesta co-stars as a detective.
Producers are Second Gen Pictures and Wanda Visión.
Calparsoro is an experienced director of...
- 5/21/2022
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Daniel Calparsoro to direct upcoming feature starring Luis Tosar.
Daniel Calparsoro’s buzzy Spanish-language action thriller package All The Names Of Gold, is selling strongly for Madrid-based Latido Films.
Koch Media has acquired rights for Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while Kinovista has bought France. Tripictures has Spanish rights.
The film is set to shoot in October and is about a taxi driver played by Luis Tosar, who is taken hostage after a terrorist attack by one of the survivors. Inma Cuesta co-stars as a detective.
Producers are Second Gen Pictures and Wanda Visión.
Calparsoro is an experienced director of...
Daniel Calparsoro’s buzzy Spanish-language action thriller package All The Names Of Gold, is selling strongly for Madrid-based Latido Films.
Koch Media has acquired rights for Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while Kinovista has bought France. Tripictures has Spanish rights.
The film is set to shoot in October and is about a taxi driver played by Luis Tosar, who is taken hostage after a terrorist attack by one of the survivors. Inma Cuesta co-stars as a detective.
Producers are Second Gen Pictures and Wanda Visión.
Calparsoro is an experienced director of...
- 5/21/2022
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
“El agua,” (Elena López Riera)
A Directors’ Fortnight title, the feature debut of Locarno winning López Riera (“Los Que Desean”), a fantasy-laced village-set critique of gender violence. S.A. Elle Driver
“Alcarràs,” (Carla Simón)
The 2022 Berlin Golden Bear winner, Simón’s follow-up to “Summer 1993” and the flagship title for Catalonia and Spain’s newest filmmaking generation. S.A. MK2 Films
“Amazing Elisa,” (Sádrac González-Perellón)
The next from 2017 BiFan Grand Jury Prize winner González-Perellón (“Black Hollow Cage”), once more mixing fantasy and family dynamics as Elisa, 12, plans revenge after her mother’s tragic death. S.A. Filmax
“The Beasts,” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
One of 2022’s most awaited Spanish titles, playing Cannes Premiere, a Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”), produced by Arcadia, Caballo Films and Le Pacte. S.A. Latido Films
“The Communion Girl,” (Víctor García)
A revenge thriller involving an urban legend about a girl in a communion dress. S.
A Directors’ Fortnight title, the feature debut of Locarno winning López Riera (“Los Que Desean”), a fantasy-laced village-set critique of gender violence. S.A. Elle Driver
“Alcarràs,” (Carla Simón)
The 2022 Berlin Golden Bear winner, Simón’s follow-up to “Summer 1993” and the flagship title for Catalonia and Spain’s newest filmmaking generation. S.A. MK2 Films
“Amazing Elisa,” (Sádrac González-Perellón)
The next from 2017 BiFan Grand Jury Prize winner González-Perellón (“Black Hollow Cage”), once more mixing fantasy and family dynamics as Elisa, 12, plans revenge after her mother’s tragic death. S.A. Filmax
“The Beasts,” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
One of 2022’s most awaited Spanish titles, playing Cannes Premiere, a Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”), produced by Arcadia, Caballo Films and Le Pacte. S.A. Latido Films
“The Communion Girl,” (Víctor García)
A revenge thriller involving an urban legend about a girl in a communion dress. S.
- 5/19/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Launched in 1998, the Malaga Film Festival first grabbed attention as a Spanish movie showcase and birthplace of a Spanish star system, TV actors walking a red carpet to acclaim from milling throngs.
Under Juan Antonio Vigar, director from 2013, it has consolidated as a platform for a new generation of Spanish filmmakers while adding ever increasing industry heft – co-pro forums, WIPs, a Hack digital forum initiative – and also opening up to TV.
In 2021, however, Malaga Festival and Spanish Screenings have exploded in scale, impact and attendance. The narrative of this year’s event is largely one of that growth. Eight takes on this and other Malaga highlights:
Malaga Lifts Off
Little wonder Malaga forms part of what’s now the Spanish Screenings Xxl. In its first full edition since 2019 with festival and industry onsite and aligned, Malaga has truly taken off. It received almost 2,000 film and TV submissions, says Vigar. Attendance has skyrocketed to over 1,100 delegates,...
Under Juan Antonio Vigar, director from 2013, it has consolidated as a platform for a new generation of Spanish filmmakers while adding ever increasing industry heft – co-pro forums, WIPs, a Hack digital forum initiative – and also opening up to TV.
In 2021, however, Malaga Festival and Spanish Screenings have exploded in scale, impact and attendance. The narrative of this year’s event is largely one of that growth. Eight takes on this and other Malaga highlights:
Malaga Lifts Off
Little wonder Malaga forms part of what’s now the Spanish Screenings Xxl. In its first full edition since 2019 with festival and industry onsite and aligned, Malaga has truly taken off. It received almost 2,000 film and TV submissions, says Vigar. Attendance has skyrocketed to over 1,100 delegates,...
- 3/21/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Few movies are as awaited at this year’s Málaga Festival as Daniel Guzman’s “Canallas” (“Monkey Business”) which world premieres in competition this March 19.
It marks the follow-up by Guzmán, an acclaimed actor-turned writer-director, to his notable debut “Nothing in Return” which scored best picture, director and a Critics’ Prize at 2015’s Malaga Festival, going on to scoop Spanish Academy Goyas for new director and breakout actor, the latter for Miguel Herrán.
“Canallas” also reps the second original movie production from Movistar Plus, as Spain’s industry looks to the pay TV/SVOD arm of telco giant Telefonica to co-produce some of the biggest movie plays in the country.
Though the subject, setting and tone of “Canallas” could hardly be different from Movistar Plus’ debut movie outing, Alejandro Amenabar’s “While at War,” “Canallas” gives further clues to what kind of movies Movistar Plus is willing to sink money in.
It marks the follow-up by Guzmán, an acclaimed actor-turned writer-director, to his notable debut “Nothing in Return” which scored best picture, director and a Critics’ Prize at 2015’s Malaga Festival, going on to scoop Spanish Academy Goyas for new director and breakout actor, the latter for Miguel Herrán.
“Canallas” also reps the second original movie production from Movistar Plus, as Spain’s industry looks to the pay TV/SVOD arm of telco giant Telefonica to co-produce some of the biggest movie plays in the country.
Though the subject, setting and tone of “Canallas” could hardly be different from Movistar Plus’ debut movie outing, Alejandro Amenabar’s “While at War,” “Canallas” gives further clues to what kind of movies Movistar Plus is willing to sink money in.
- 3/19/2022
- by Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
The event is a major showcase of Spanish and Latin American content to the international market.
The world premiere of Jorge Coira’s Codigo Emperador, starring Luis Tosar, opens the 25th edition of the Málaga Film Festival (Mff) today (March 18), marking the first time the Spanish and Latin American-focused event has run in-person for two years. The spy thriiller also opens in Spain today.
Roberto Bueso’s Full Of Grace is the closing night film, screening out of competition.
Codigo Emperador is playing in competition along with Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s directorial debut Lullaby, starring Laia Costa and Susi Sánchez,...
The world premiere of Jorge Coira’s Codigo Emperador, starring Luis Tosar, opens the 25th edition of the Málaga Film Festival (Mff) today (March 18), marking the first time the Spanish and Latin American-focused event has run in-person for two years. The spy thriiller also opens in Spain today.
Roberto Bueso’s Full Of Grace is the closing night film, screening out of competition.
Codigo Emperador is playing in competition along with Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s directorial debut Lullaby, starring Laia Costa and Susi Sánchez,...
- 3/18/2022
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Spain has two films in this year’s main competition at the Berlinale, and a record haul of films participating across all sections. Similarly, the country boasts an impressive list of productions looking for buyers at the festival’s EFM. Below, a list of standouts from Spain looking to make moves on the global market.
“Prison 77” (Alberto Rodríguez)
A potential jewel in Spanish cinema’s 2022 crown, “Modelo 77” is produced by Spanish pay TV-vod giant Movistar Plus and Madrid-based Atípica Films, Rodríguez’s career-long producer. S.A. Film Factory
“Alcarràs” (Carla Simón)
In Berlin’s main competition, the much anticipated follow up to Simón’s “Summer 1993,” “Alcarrás” tracks the final harvest at a multi-generational family farm. Co-produced with Italy. S.A. MK2 Films
“The Beast” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
A Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”) and his regular co-scribe Esther Peña.
“Beyond the Summit” (Ibon Cormenzana)
Javier Rey and Patricia Lopez...
“Prison 77” (Alberto Rodríguez)
A potential jewel in Spanish cinema’s 2022 crown, “Modelo 77” is produced by Spanish pay TV-vod giant Movistar Plus and Madrid-based Atípica Films, Rodríguez’s career-long producer. S.A. Film Factory
“Alcarràs” (Carla Simón)
In Berlin’s main competition, the much anticipated follow up to Simón’s “Summer 1993,” “Alcarrás” tracks the final harvest at a multi-generational family farm. Co-produced with Italy. S.A. MK2 Films
“The Beast” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
A Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”) and his regular co-scribe Esther Peña.
“Beyond the Summit” (Ibon Cormenzana)
Javier Rey and Patricia Lopez...
- 2/11/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Good Boss’ leads Icíar Bollaín’s ‘Maixabel’ and Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Parallel Mothers’.
The Good Boss, directed by Fernando León de Aranoa and starring Javier Bardem, led the Goya nominations from the Spanish Film Academy with 20 nods, an all-time record.
The satire, also Spain’s entry for the Oscars, is ahead of Icíar Bollaín’s Maixabel and Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers, on 14 and eight nominations respectively.
The Good Boss is the fifth highest-grossing film in Spain this year with €2.6m. Written and directed by León de Aranoa, it follows the petty boss of an industrial scales factory, played...
The Good Boss, directed by Fernando León de Aranoa and starring Javier Bardem, led the Goya nominations from the Spanish Film Academy with 20 nods, an all-time record.
The satire, also Spain’s entry for the Oscars, is ahead of Icíar Bollaín’s Maixabel and Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers, on 14 and eight nominations respectively.
The Good Boss is the fifth highest-grossing film in Spain this year with €2.6m. Written and directed by León de Aranoa, it follows the petty boss of an industrial scales factory, played...
- 11/29/2021
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
Already selected as this year’s Spanish Best International Feature Film submission for the Oscars, Fernando León de Aranoa’s dark workplace comedy “The Good Boss,” starring Javier Bardem, has set a new record for most Spanish Academy Goya Award nominations with 20, ahead of Icíar Bollaín’s standout Basque drama “Maixabel” with 14 and Pedro Almodóvar’s “Parallel Mothers,” which secured eight.
The 20 nominations include: Best picture, director, original screenplay, original music, lead actor, three nominations for supporting actor, supporting actress, two nominations for best new male actor and one for best new female actor, production design, cinematography, editing, art direction, costume design, makeup, sound design and special effects. It’s a total which breaks an almost 30-year-old record held by Imanol Uribe’s “Numbered Days,” which received 19 nominations in 1994.
León’s latest, produced by The Mediapro Studio and Reposado PC, is a return to a fruitful partnership between the director and his leading man.
The 20 nominations include: Best picture, director, original screenplay, original music, lead actor, three nominations for supporting actor, supporting actress, two nominations for best new male actor and one for best new female actor, production design, cinematography, editing, art direction, costume design, makeup, sound design and special effects. It’s a total which breaks an almost 30-year-old record held by Imanol Uribe’s “Numbered Days,” which received 19 nominations in 1994.
León’s latest, produced by The Mediapro Studio and Reposado PC, is a return to a fruitful partnership between the director and his leading man.
- 11/29/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s top independent sales agents are prepped and ready for this year’s online American Film Market; however, most are eagerly awaiting the return of in-person events, seen as a more productive platform for selling independent cinema abroad. The optimism is cautious, though, with theatrical prospects for international independent films in a post-covid world still hard to predict.
Traditionally, AFM has been a popular launchpad for Spanish films to find distribution in the non-Spanish-speaking world but, while most of the regular faces will be attending digitally, many are holding back their bigger titles for Berlin, where they can be pitched in-person and meetings can be held face-to-face.
“Online markets have been really important for us over the past year, but now we need in-person events. The success of Mia in Rome is proof of that,” said Latido Films general director Antonio Saura, who hosted three market premieres at the...
Traditionally, AFM has been a popular launchpad for Spanish films to find distribution in the non-Spanish-speaking world but, while most of the regular faces will be attending digitally, many are holding back their bigger titles for Berlin, where they can be pitched in-person and meetings can be held face-to-face.
“Online markets have been really important for us over the past year, but now we need in-person events. The success of Mia in Rome is proof of that,” said Latido Films general director Antonio Saura, who hosted three market premieres at the...
- 11/1/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Principal photography has begun on Penélope Cruz drama On The Fringe (En Los Márgenes), directed by Juna Diego Botto, and written by Botto and Olga Rodríguez.
Currently filming on location in Madrid, the Spanish-language film stars an ensemble cast which includes Oscar winner Cruz (Pain and Glory), Luis Tosar (Miami Vice), Aixa Villagrán (Loco Por Ella), Adelfa Calvo (Madres Paralelas), Nur Levi (Hablar) and Christian Checa. Above is a first look at director Botto, Cruz and Tosar on set.
Told over the course of one day, the movie will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Cell 211 star Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.
The film is a Spanish-Belgian co-production and is produced by Cruz and Álvaro Longoria for Morena Films. The duo recently...
Currently filming on location in Madrid, the Spanish-language film stars an ensemble cast which includes Oscar winner Cruz (Pain and Glory), Luis Tosar (Miami Vice), Aixa Villagrán (Loco Por Ella), Adelfa Calvo (Madres Paralelas), Nur Levi (Hablar) and Christian Checa. Above is a first look at director Botto, Cruz and Tosar on set.
Told over the course of one day, the movie will follow interweaving stories, including that of a woman (Cruz) who has 24 hours to prevent herself and her family being evicted from their home by a bank intent on repossessing it. Cell 211 star Tosar will play a passionate lawyer and activist.
The film is a Spanish-Belgian co-production and is produced by Cruz and Álvaro Longoria for Morena Films. The duo recently...
- 10/28/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix today unveiled a slate of new Spanish content, including two fiction series and a pair of feature films.
The streamer renewed its popular Spanish YA drama series Elite for a sixth season, well ahead of the series’ Season 5 premiere. Created and written by Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona, Elite is one of the streamer’s best performing Spanish originals.
Netflix also confirmed three new holiday-themed installments of the short-form spinoff Elite: Short Stories: Phillipe, Caye, & Felipe, premiering Wednesday, Dec. 15, Samuel & Omar, premiering Monday, Dec. 20 and Patrick, premiering Thursday, Dec. 23.
On the film side, Patxi Amezcua is writing and directing Infiesto (working title). Isak Férriz and Iria del Río star in the pic, which is set on the first day of a national emergency involving a virus and follows two detectives who are called to a small mining town in the Asturian mountains where a young woman who had...
The streamer renewed its popular Spanish YA drama series Elite for a sixth season, well ahead of the series’ Season 5 premiere. Created and written by Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona, Elite is one of the streamer’s best performing Spanish originals.
Netflix also confirmed three new holiday-themed installments of the short-form spinoff Elite: Short Stories: Phillipe, Caye, & Felipe, premiering Wednesday, Dec. 15, Samuel & Omar, premiering Monday, Dec. 20 and Patrick, premiering Thursday, Dec. 23.
On the film side, Patxi Amezcua is writing and directing Infiesto (working title). Isak Férriz and Iria del Río star in the pic, which is set on the first day of a national emergency involving a virus and follows two detectives who are called to a small mining town in the Asturian mountains where a young woman who had...
- 10/28/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s Spanish adaptation of its hit original movie “Bird Box” is coming together.
Cast and a handful of early details were announced for the previously announced project from Àlex and David Pastor. Leading the international cast are Mario Casas, one of Spain’s most bankable leading men who this year won a best actor Spanish Academy Goya Award for his performance in “Cross the Line,” and Georgina Campbell, a best leading actress BAFTA winner for her work in “Murdered by My Boyfriend.”
Casas was also the star of horror thriller “The Paramedic,” one of Netflix’s best performing Spanish original films to date.
Other cast includes Diego Calva (“I Promise You Anarchy”), Alejandra Howard (“Ana. all in”), Naila Schuberth (“Unbroken”), Patrick Criado (“Riot Police”) and Celia Freijeiro (“Perfect Life”), with Lola Dueñas (“The Sea Inside”), Gonzalo de Castro (“La torre de Suso”), Michelle Jenner (“Isabel”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory...
Cast and a handful of early details were announced for the previously announced project from Àlex and David Pastor. Leading the international cast are Mario Casas, one of Spain’s most bankable leading men who this year won a best actor Spanish Academy Goya Award for his performance in “Cross the Line,” and Georgina Campbell, a best leading actress BAFTA winner for her work in “Murdered by My Boyfriend.”
Casas was also the star of horror thriller “The Paramedic,” one of Netflix’s best performing Spanish original films to date.
Other cast includes Diego Calva (“I Promise You Anarchy”), Alejandra Howard (“Ana. all in”), Naila Schuberth (“Unbroken”), Patrick Criado (“Riot Police”) and Celia Freijeiro (“Perfect Life”), with Lola Dueñas (“The Sea Inside”), Gonzalo de Castro (“La torre de Suso”), Michelle Jenner (“Isabel”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory...
- 10/28/2021
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Looking at a map of Spain, the Basque region seems to be tucked neatly into one corner, cozy as can be. On the ground, of course, it’s a different matter: the Pais Vasco has its own language, culture, food and politics, plus its own history of violence. Eta, the region’s equivalent to the Ira, assassinated more than 820 people over almost 50 years before declaring a ceasefire in 2011; the last shreds of the organization disbanded in 2018. It was the end of an era, but a huge legacy of bitterness remained. The assassinated were still mourned; on the Eta side, hundreds of convicted terrorists remain in jail.
Director Iciar Bollain — whose last film, incongruously, was the agreeably bouncy comedy Rosa’s Wedding — has taken a single, powerful story from the messy remains of that struggle in Maixabel, the first film to screen in competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
The story closely follows fact.
Director Iciar Bollain — whose last film, incongruously, was the agreeably bouncy comedy Rosa’s Wedding — has taken a single, powerful story from the messy remains of that struggle in Maixabel, the first film to screen in competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
The story closely follows fact.
- 9/20/2021
- by Stephanie Bunbury
- Deadline Film + TV
Vicente Canales’ Film Factory Entertainment has sold Icíar Bollaín’s San Sebastian Festival-bound Basque reconciliation drama “Maixabel” to Germany, striking a deal with Berlin-based distributor Piffl Medien.
The film is set to make its theatrical release in Spain on Sept. 24 via Buena Vista Intl.
World premiering in San Sebastian’s main competition this weekend, Bollaín’s film – which she co-wrote with screenwriter Isa Campo (“The Next Skin”) – stars “Volver’s” Blanca Portillo as the widow of murdered socialist leader Juan María Jáuregui who makes steps towards forgiving the Eta terrorist who killed her husband a decade earlier.
The feature is based around the experience of Maixabel Lasa, a key figure in the journey that the Basque Country is making towards peace and reconciliation following the violence of its recent past.
Co-starring Luis Tosar (“Retribution,” “Way Down”), the film was made by top Basque production company Kowalski Films (“Coven”) and Feelgood Films...
The film is set to make its theatrical release in Spain on Sept. 24 via Buena Vista Intl.
World premiering in San Sebastian’s main competition this weekend, Bollaín’s film – which she co-wrote with screenwriter Isa Campo (“The Next Skin”) – stars “Volver’s” Blanca Portillo as the widow of murdered socialist leader Juan María Jáuregui who makes steps towards forgiving the Eta terrorist who killed her husband a decade earlier.
The feature is based around the experience of Maixabel Lasa, a key figure in the journey that the Basque Country is making towards peace and reconciliation following the violence of its recent past.
Co-starring Luis Tosar (“Retribution,” “Way Down”), the film was made by top Basque production company Kowalski Films (“Coven”) and Feelgood Films...
- 9/17/2021
- by Ann-Marie Corvin
- Variety Film + TV
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