News

San Sebastian — In a talent laden presentation, Atresmedia Cine announced on Tuesday at San Sebastian “Siempre es Invierno,” the upcoming film from celebrated helmer David Trueba. The film will be an adaptation by Trueba of his own novel “Blitz,” a story about an unexpected love affair between a man in his thirties and a woman in her sixties.

Following a fruitful experience with Trueba’s previous comedy “Jokes and Cigarettes,” Atresmedia Cine, the film arm of Atresmedia Corporación, one of Spain’s top two commercial broadcast network groups, wanted to do more. “At Atresmedia, we knew we wanted to continue supporting his films and make his next movie. We went to lunch with him and [producer] Edmon [Roch] and said, ‘David, what do you want to do?’” Jaime Ortiz de Artiñano, managing director at Atresmedia Cine, said on stage at a room in the luxuriant Maria Cristina Hotel at San Sebastian.

Trueba...

Apple TV has scored the global rights to the Spanish series Tú También Lo Harías (“You Would Do It Too”).

The eight-episode mystery from Legendary Television and ESPotlight Media will be available worldwide as an Apple Original series starting Wednesday, October 30. Following its two-episode premiere, a new episode will be released every Wednesday through December 11.

Tú También Lo Harías stars Cable Girls‘ Ana Polvorosa, Berlin’s Michelle Jenner, The Plague’s Pablo Molinero and Money Heist’s José Manuel Poga.

The Spanish-language series takes place after an armed robbery on a bus near Barcelona results in the deaths of three robbers, detectives and former lovers are on a mission to uncover the truth behind the six witnesses’ inconsistent timelines before time runs out. As they navigate a world where perception often trumps reality, this lightning-fast thriller shines a spotlight on the importance of truth in today’s society and the...

Protagonizada por Elena Irureta, Kira Miró, Salva Reina y Sofía Otero. © DeAPlaneta

Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler y póster de ¿Quién es quién?, la nueva película de Martín Cuervo con guion de Irene Niubó (Todos lo hacen) basada en la película francesa Le sens de la famille.

¿Quién es quién? sigue a la familia Fuentes, que se encuentra sumida en una rutina alienante debido al trabajo y los estudios. Sin embargo, todo cambia cuando Valentina, la más joven del grupo, pide un deseo en su noveno cumpleaños. Al día siguiente, todos los miembros de la familia se despiertan con los cuerpos intercambiados, lo que desata el caos en el hogar.

La comedia está protagonizada por Elena Irureta (Patria), Kira Miró (Machos alfa), Salva Reina, (Cuánto me queda), Sofía Otero (20.000 especies de abejas), Martí Cordero (42 segundos) y Ana Jara (Soy Luna). Completan el reparto: Gracia Olayo (Los protegidos), Aitor Luna...

Seeing isn’t always believing in The Chapel, the latest film from Piggy writer/director Carlota Pereda. Written by Pereda, as well as Albert Bertran Bas and Carmelo Viera, The Chapel is a supernatural drama about intergenerational trauma between mothers and their daughters.

The film opens in 1631 in a small Spanish town that is besieged by the Black Plague. Men in plague masks gather up sick individuals to lock them in the titular chapel to preserve the health of the community and, as the crowd watches, a young, infected Uxoa (Alba Hernández) is separated from her mother, who refuses to help.

The moment of familial discomfort is upended, however, when a member of the crowd raises a smartphone to shoot video of the event, shattering the authenticity of the moment. It turns out what we’re seeing is a historical reenactment: these are actors who are playing a part in an annual five day festival.

FilmSharks has released the international trailer for “The Bus of Life,” the latest feature from Barcelona-based Arcadia Motion Pictures, producers of Pablo Berger’s Oscar-nominated movie “Robot Dreams” and Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Cesar and Goya-winner “The Beasts.”

“The Bus of Life,” which will be released in Spain by A Contracorriente Films on July 3, is directed by Ibón Cormenzana, a producer of both of those films.

In the film, Andrés, a music teacher diagnosed with cancer, heads into the city to seek treatment for the illness. He makes the commute in a dilapidated school bus accompanied by other cancer patients. The bus is inspired by the real-life experiences of a Basque relative of Cormenzana’s.

Despite the consequences of their journey, the passengers strike quick friendships and turn the voyage into a celebratory one, where many learn a more joyous understanding of life. Andrés also learns to face his fears, such as stage fright,...

Ibon Cormenzana dirige esta inspiradora historia basada en hechos reales. © AContracorriente

Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler de la película “El Bus de la Vida”. Una película que promete conmover al público con una trama cargada de emotividad y esperanza.

“El Bus de la Vida” sigue a Andrés, un profesor de música que trabaja en Madrid y que tiene que trasladarse a un pueblo vasco para cubrir una vacante en un instituto. Con 40 años recién cumplidos y sin haber superado nunca el miedo escénico, siente que su nueva vida le aleja de su sueño de ser músico. Cuando llega allí, en su primer día de clase se desmaya a causa de un fuerte zumbido en el oído: es cáncer. Para recibir tratamiento, tiene que viajar al hospital de Bilbao en el Bus de la Vida, un viejo autocar que transporta gratuitamente a todos los enfermos de la zona. Gracias a las risas,...

La cineasta transforma su cortometraje nominado al Goya en un largometraje. © A Contracorriente Films

Comienza en Murcia el rodaje de “Sorda”, la película escrita y dirigida por Eva Libertad y basada en el cortometraje homónimo nominado a los Premios Goya en 2023, también dirigido por Libertad. “Sorda” es una historia de amor materno-filial y de pareja, exacerbado por el choque entre el mundo de los sordos y el de los oyentes.

“Sorda” sigue a Ángela (Garlo), una mujer sorda, que va a tener un bebé con Héctor (Cervantes), su pareja oyente. El embarazo hace aflorar sus miedos frente la maternidad y sobre cómo podrá comunicarse con su hija. La llegada de la niña genera una crisis en la pareja y lleva a Ángela a enfrentarse a la crianza de su hija en un mundo que no está hecho para ella.

La película marca un hito en el cine español al ser...

La película promete ser una mirada honesta, conmovedora y esperanzadora sobre la lucha contra el cáncer. © AContracorriente

Ya se ha publicado el primer avance de la película “El Bus de la Vida”. Una película que promete conmover al público con una trama cargada de emotividad y esperanza.

“El Bus de la Vida” sigue a Andrés, un profesor de música que trabaja en Madrid y que tiene que trasladarse a un pueblo vasco para cubrir una vacante en un instituto. Con 40 años recién cumplidos y sin haber superado nunca el miedo escénico, siente que su nueva vida le aleja de su sueño de ser músico. Cuando llega allí, en su primer día de clase se desmaya a causa de un fuerte zumbido en el oído: es cáncer. Para recibir tratamiento, tiene que viajar al hospital de Bilbao en el Bus de la Vida, un viejo autocar que transporta gratuitamente a todos los enfermos de la zona.

FilmSharks has taken world sales rights outside Spain to “The Bus of Life,” next up from Arcadia Motion Pictures, producer of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Cesar and Goya winner “The Beasts” and Neon U.S. pick-up “Robot Dreams,” nominated last month for a best animated feature Academy Award.

The production and sales company has also revealed first look art work on the film, currently in post and set for delivery in 2024.

Directed by Ibón Cormenzana, producer of both “The Beasts” and Robot “Dreams,” “The Bus of Life” turns on Andrés, a music teacher diagnosed with cancer who seeks treatment at a hospital in the city.

His travels there on a singular, dilapidated bus accompanied by other cancer patients. It soon becomes an extraordinary experience, giving him new friends and a far more joyous understanding of life.He also learns to conquer his fears, such as the stage fright which has frustrated...

Bringing one of Spain’s biggest potential box office hits onto the market at the AFM, Filmax has secured international sales to “A Moroccan Affair,” the third instalment in the most successful Spanish movie franchise in history.

“Moroccan Affair” is produced by Telecinco Cinema and Lazona, the duo behind the first two instalments of the saga, comedies “Spanish Affair” (2014) and “Spanish Affair 2” (2015), which still rank as the biggest, and third-biggest, respectively, Spanish-produced box office hits of all time at Spain’s box office, grossing a combined €90.9 million ($96.3 million).

Set to open in Spain Dec. 1, released by Universal Pictures Intl. Spain, “A Moroccan Affair” is directed by Alvaro Fernández Armero, who called the film “a comedy in which culture shocks are the driving comedic force.”

The film stars Julián López (“Undercover Wedding Crashers”), Michelle Jenner (“Our Lovers”), Elena Irureta (“Patria”) and María Ramos (“El Cid”).

Written by Daniel Castro (“Vote for Juan...

Events

After a successful launch at SXSW earlier this year, the South Asian House initiative, which aims to highlight, recognize and appreciate South Asians in film and television, is set to debut at the Tribeca Festival, New York, on June 16.

Brainchild of producers, curators and programmers Rohi Mirza Pandya (Box Office Guru Media and Desipina), Monika Samtani (Ms. Media and The Fem Word), Jitin Hingorani (Jingo Media and Dfw South Asian Film Festival) and Kirtana Banskota (Banskota Productions and Nepal America Film Society), the event will showcase programming focused on the funding, creation and distribution of South Asian stories for a global audience. The day will consist of two panel discussions focused on content creation in the diaspora and the Indian film industry and will be part of the AT&T Untold Stories Lounge at Spring Studios.

Hingorani and Mirza Pandya said: “Our filmmakers are making tremendous headway in Hollywood,...

SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global, on Sunday unveiled a slate of original and exclusive series that will be premiering on the service later this year and in 2024.

CEO Monty Sarhan announced during a keynote appearance at the Marché du Film in Cannes that overall a total of 10 SkyShowtime originals from different regions and countries would premiere on the service in 2023. Among them are shows from its three regions of the Nordics, Iberia and Central and Eastern Europe. The streamer, which serves a total of 22 markets, described that as “a staggering and nearly unheard of accomplishment for a service that is less than one year old.”

Among others, SkyShowtime will later this year debut Codename: Annika, its first original from the Nordics. The Finnish-Swedish production, which previously had the working title ID, was part of a deal the streamer struck early this year with Warner Bros. Discovery...

SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan led a market keynote at Cannes this afternoon, during which he shared the streamer’s forthcoming slate, including a series of original European-produced shows set to hit the streamer this year and into 2024.

The announced productions span Europe. In the Nordics, the streamer will debut Codename: Annika, its first original in the region. The Finnish-Swedish production, previously titled ID, is a crime-drama series that revolves around Finnish art-fraud investigator Emma, who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm in order to investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as Blanko. The series will be available to stream later this year.

The Spanish SkyShowtime series Las Invisibles (The Invisible Ladies) will premiere in Spain on 5 June. Starring Lolita Flores, Maria Pujalte, Yoshira Escárrega, Paula del Río, Paula Mirá, Yaël Belicha, and Elena Irureta, the series follows what is billed as a...

Spanish SVOD service Atresplayer Premium has announced at the Berlinale Series Market a raft of new cast members joining the continuation of its award-winning trans series “Veneno,” which played on HBO Max in the U.S. to large acclaim.

Joining the cast of the seven-episode series “Vestidas De Azul” are supporting cast members Susana Abaitua (“Crazy about Her”), Elena Irureta (“Patria”), Luis Callejo (“Jefe”), drag artist Estrella Xtravaganza, Mercedes Sampietro and Anabel Alonso (“7 Vidas”), among others.

The announcement was made at a Q&a on Monday focused on the continuation of the series. It forms part of a Next from Spain event focusing on first looks at four new series.

Currently shooting, Atresmedia,Atresolayer Premium parent, says it plans to begin streaming the new series in the fourth quarter of the year.

The original series was based on the life of Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez (La Veneno), a famous trans personality and singer from Spain.

La ermita

Not too many filmmakers on our list will have three film outputs in just as many years but this appears to be the case for madrileños filmmaker Carlota Pereda. After collective project The Devil’s Tail (2021) and Sundance breakout Piggy (2022), Pereda moved into Basque backdrop for La ermita. Production on her sophomore film took place in October with Belén Rueda toplining. Maia Zaitegi, Josean Bengoetxea, Loreto Mauleón, Jon Olivares, Elena Irureta and Nagore Aranburu also star in a tale of about a medium tormented by her past. Laura Fernández produces the project.

Gist: This tells the story of how Emma (Maia Zaitegi) who wants to learn how to communicate with the spirit of a girl who has been trapped in a hermitage for centuries, and to that end, she tries to persuade Carol (Rueda), a sceptical medium, to help her.…...

Eighth annual celebration of Ibero-American audiovisual industry returned to in-person event in Madrid.

Colombia dominated the Platino Awards – the Ibero-American equivalent of the Oscars – as Memories Of My Father, a drama about a public health activist murdered in the 1980s, took five awards on Sunday night (October 3) while Michel Franco’s New Order emerged empty-handed from the Madrid ceremony.

Memories Of My Father won best film and art direction and earned three awards for Spaniards as Fernando Trueba triumphed in the directing category, his brother David Trueba won for best screenplay and Javier Camara took the best actor prize for...

French pay-tv group Canal Plus has pre-bought exclusive rights for France to the anticipated series “Patria” from HBO Europe ahead of its September premiere.

“Patria” was created and written by Aitor Gabilondo (“El Príncipe”), based on Fernando Aramburu’s bestselling novel of the same name.

Directed by Felix Viscarret and Óscar Pedraza, “Patria” spans over three decades and tells a story of the Spanish Basque Country through the eyes of two friends and their respective families who are divided by violence and political struggle. “Patria” is set in the aftermath of the ceasefire pronounced by the Eta (the armed Basque nationalist and separatist organization) and follows Bittori, who returns home to her village where her husband was murdered by the terrorist to get closure.

The show is headlined by Elena Irureta, Ane Gabarain, José Ramón Soroiz and Mikel Laskurain.

“We are pleased that HBO Europe’s Patria has found a home on Canal Plus,...

San Sebastian — Amid large expectation, HBO Europe has revealed first footage giving a first sense of tone and pace of its Spanish original series “Patria.”

A packed-to-overflowing press conference on Saturday morning at the San Sebastian Festival can be read as one sign of the potential popularity of the eight-part series.

The panel sneak-peek was attended by “Patria” creator and writer Aitor Gabilondo (“El Príncipe”), actresses Elena Irureta and Ane Gabarain, who play the leads, the series HBO producers Miguel Salvat and Steve Matthews, head of development HBO Europe.

“Patria” weighs in as HBO’s signature Spanish series. It was HBO’s first series announced out of Spain, two years ago on the eve of 2017’s San Sebastian Festival, when it was still in development.

That development proved characteristically lengthy.

“Steve worked with Aitor on the development of the scripts from a distance,” Salvat said in San Sebastian. “He hadn...