EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico), one of Mexico’s biggest stars, for representation in all areas.
07.03.2022 - 14:09 / variety.com
Anna Marie de la Fuente Barcelona-based Scenic Rights, the leading literary rights broker for Spanish-language film and TV series, has officially opened its Mexico City office as it continues to expand its purview across key territories, including Madrid, Los Angeles and most recently, Prague.The Mexico City office opening, delayed twice by the pandemic, kicks off operations on Monday March 7. According to Scenic Rights CEO, Sydney Borjas, the company’s Mexican branch will oversee more than 30 book to film-TV project adaptations, mostly into series.Ana Karen Larios, previously a foreign rights manager at VF Literary Agency, has been tapped as Scenic Rights’ content manager in Mexico and will report to the agency’s Chief Operating Officer Ignacio Diaz.
Scenic Rights MX is being launched in collaboration with Miguel Rosenfeld as an associate, who has extensive experience in managing writers for TV.The literary agency’s presence in Mexico underscores the growing importance of the country as a film-TV hub, with various players, especially the deep-pocketed streaming giants, tussling for premium content IP, as well as talent, crew and facilities.The Mexican series “Hernán,” produced by Dopamine and released by Prime Video, A&E, and TV Azteca, and “Toda la Sangre,” backed by Pantaya, Starzplay. Spiral International and Fremantle Mexico, counted on the support of Scenic Rights for their development.In addition, the TV series adaptations of Laura Esquivel’s novel “Swift as Desire” by Buendía Estudios and Laura Restrepo’s novel “Isle of Passion” by Gato Grande and Traziende are currently under development and promoted by Scenic Rights in Mexico. The rights broker is also bringing projects linked to international studios based in
.EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico), one of Mexico’s biggest stars, for representation in all areas.
Anna Marie de la Fuente At a time when journalists are under attack in many parts of the world and the odious term “fake news” has become part of the global lexicon, Spain’s Mediacrest presents the topical drama series “Fake” at a key event in France-based Series Mania, the invitation-only Spain Pitching Breakfast, on Thursday.Leading the charge is industry vet-producer Gustavo Ferrada (“Klaus,” “Nobody Knows Anybody”), Mediacrest’s executive director of fiction, who joined the fast-rising Spanish production company in January.“Fake” is one of five selected projects from leading Spanish production companies seeking European partners, comprising Fedent España, Friki Films, Onza, Vertice 360 and Mediacrest. Created in-house by Mediacrest’s deputy head of fiction, Carlos Molinero and senior scriptwriter Nicolás Romero, the Strasbourg-based series of six 52-minute episodes follows a high-powered couple as their once idyllic relationship turns toxic.
Ed Meza @edmezavarFilmax has acquired international rights to Malaga Festival screener “Can’t Live Without You,” an erotic thriller from director Chus Gutierrez (“Return to Hansala”).A Spanish-Mexican co-production, the pic features huge Mexican stars Maite Perroni and Mauricio Ochmann as well as Spanish actors Alfonso Bassave (“I Love You, Stupid”) and Pedro Casablanc.The pic follows David, a successful businessman who who lives a peaceful life with his boyfriend, Alex, an attractive gym instructor. Their world turns upside down, however, when David’s sister Blanca comes back into his life.
Anna Marie de la Fuente Prime Video is bowing the trailer for season two of its first Spanish-language romcom series “Como Sobrevivir Soltero” (“How to Survive Being Single”), which debuts April 15 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Performing cameos this season are Miss Universe 2014/TV host Paulina Vega, Mexican heartthrob Vadhir Derbez (“De Viaje con los Derbez.” “El Mesero”), Faisy (“El Complot Mongol,” “Me Caigo de Risa”) and Edgar Vivar (“El Chavo del Ocho,” “Vecinos”).Created by brothers Emiliano and Sebastian Zurita, the eight episode second season picks up from where season one ends with Sebastián, playing his fictional self, paying tribute to his late girlfriend Julieta by trying to produce a movie from the script he wrote while they were dating. He and his producing partner Natalia struggle to secure funding and in the end, decide to adapt the script for the stage. Still grieving, he decides that he can’t start dating again and takes full, wild advantage of his bachelorhood.Described as a hip millennial dramedy, the series revolves around Zurita’s alter ego and his pals as they navigate the trials and tribulations of dating in modern-day Mexico.
Sandra Bullock's forthcoming action-adventure rom-com The Lost City has some spectacular stunts and even more exciting cameos — and the actress is opening up about how some of the movie's most memorable moments came to be.Bullock and co-star Daniel Radcliffe recently sat down with ET's Cassie DiLaura, and they reflected on some of the movie's most exciting scenes — including a daring rescue by Brad Pitt that featured an enormous explosion.«We only did that shot in one take!» Bullock revealed. «We didn't know how big the explosion was gonna be. It's all about preparation, preparation, preparation and then a whole lot of luck.»Bullock stars in the film as Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance-adventure author who's spent her career writing about exotic places.
Anna Marie de la Fuente Following the success of their collaboration on Nicolás Postiglione’s debut feature “Immersion,” production shingles Whisky Content of Mexico and Chile’s Juntos Films have forged a medium-term strategic alliance for the joint development of nine films in six years.The agreement comes just days after the premiere of “Immersion,” a thriller headlined by Chile’s most bankable star, Alfredo Castro, at the Miami Film Festival where its poster won the Best Poster Design Award. The film has already racked up top awards from the festivals of Guadalajara, Tallinn Black Nights and Punta del Este.The move also comes as further cooperation among Hispanic companies continue apace in response to the increasing challenges of local content production.
Justin Morgan Outsider Pictures has secured the international rights to co-directors Pablo Aragüés and Marta Cabrera’s genre feature “Para entrar a vivir” ahead of the Malaga Film Festival this March. It will showcase the film’s trailer at the NEXT from Spain section of the Malaga Festival; the whole film will screen at the Cannes Film Market this May.Paul Hudson, Outsider Pictures founder and CEO, shared with Variety the comedy-horror film’s trailer, which follows the troubles of a couple moving into a magical new home. The trailer begins by asking, “what if the dream house gave everything you wanted,” setting a light mood.The couple, played by Barbara Goenaga (Goya-nominated for “Oviedo Express”) and Gorka Otxoa (“Fe de etarras”), moves into their dream house, which they soon realize magically grants any wish they request.
Anna Marie de la Fuente Less than a year since its June 29, 2021 launch in the region, HBO Max Latin America is adding a raft of new original Latin American shows to its programming grid. WarnerMedia’s SVOD service now ranks second in the region, albeit still lagging behind market leader, Netflix.“When we launched more than eight months ago, we promised to launch 100 shows in a year and a half; I think we’re on track to deliver that promise,” said Luis Duran, general manager, HBO Max Latin America, in an exclusive interview with Variety.
The fans are in charge! The first round of nominations for the 2022 CMT Music Awards have been announced — and the list is full of chart-topping artists.
2022 CMT Music Awards are almost here — and it's going to be a star-studded night!On Wednesday, CMT announced the nominees for country music's only entirely fan-voted awards show — which will be hosted live from Music City by Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini on Monday, April 11 -- and the list includes some of the biggest names in music. Kane Brown leads the pack this year with four nominations, while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson earned three nods apieceThe first round of nominations for the coveted Video of the Year award includes 12 acts, spotlighting artists like Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift feat.
Apple TV+ has set its first-ever all Spanish-language series Midnight Family from Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín. Cast includes Academy Award nominee Yalitza Aparicio (Roma), Joaquín Cosío (Narcos: Mexico, Suicide Squad 2), and Óscar Jaenada (The Losers, Luis Miguel: The Series).
Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple has ordered a Spanish-language series inspired by the documentary “Midnight Family” (“Familia de Medianoche”).The series will be Apple’s first series produced entirely in Spanish. “Midnight Family” follows Marigaby Tamayo (Renata Vaca), an ambitious and gifted medical student by day, who spends her nights saving lives throughout a sprawling, contrasted and fascinating Mexico City aboard her family’s privately owned ambulance. Along with her father Ramón (Joaquín Cosío) and her siblings Marcus (Diego Calva) and Julito (Sergio Bautista), Marigaby serves a population of millions by tackling extreme medical emergencies to make a living.“Midnight Family” also stars Yalitza Aparicio, Itzan Escamilla, José María de Tavira, Óscar Jaenada, Dolores Heredia, and Mariana Gómez.
Jon Burlingame editorComposer Germaine Franco’s Oscar nomination for “Encanto” is a landmark moment in film music:– She is the first Latina to be nominated in that category;– She is only the sixth woman ever to be nominated for an original score;– And she is the first woman to score a Disney film.But ask any of her colleagues in the profession and they’ll tell you something else: that it’s a triumph for a musically talented, genuinely kind person who has worked hard her entire life, dating back decades to her childhood in El Paso, Texas, just across the border from where her grandparents were born in Chihuahua and Durango, Mexico.Franco landed the “Encanto” assignment in part because she had firmly established the Mexican backdrop of Disney’s 2017 film “Coco” via her orchestrations and original songs. Says Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is also nominated as songwriter for “Encanto”: “I admired her work on ‘Coco’ and it was really important to me that we have a Latino music team.
set of his AMC show “Better Call Saul.”The 59-year-old actor sat down with NBC “Today” show host Willie Geist to discuss his “shocking” July 2021 health scare in a candid interview set to air Sunday. He explained that doctors clarified he had a “heart incident” and not a heart attack, explaining his “widow-maker artery was completely blocked.“That’s why it’s called the widow-maker, ’cause you die when that happens. But I went down.
Tiwary Entertainment Group’s TEG Plus has acquired the stage rights to the beloved children’s book by Crockett Johnson — with plans to adapt it into a Broadway production. The “Harold and the Purple Crayon” musical will feature new and original songs composed by pop group AJR’s Jack and Ryan Met.
Molly-Mae Hague has been photographed showing off a much more relaxed look as she stepped out in Tulum, Mexico.The 22 year old, who has been flaunting her impressive wardrobe during her sun-soaked holiday abroad, was seen dressed in a simple pair of grey shorts alongside a baggy white Nike T-shirt. Former Love Islander Molly-Mae teamed the look with a pair of white socks and Nike tennis trainers and donned several bracelets on her wrists and a gold necklace as she walked around a car.The blonde beauty styled her mane up into a ponytail while wearing a black baseball cap on her head.
th century. Across a multitude of disciplines, their communal motivator was social-justice advocacy.Sanchez, a veteran musician turned first-time filmmaker, sets the tone with footage from Fantasy Studios where the title track, an ode to Chavez, was recorded before talking-head interviews and archival footage begin unspooling a thread that extends from his contemporaries to current performers like the band Ozomatli or songstress Lila Downs.In this roll call of Chicano storytellers, the tunes serve as sonic picket signs and tributes to the power of organizing: Joan Baez’s “No nos moverán,” El Chicano’s “Don’t Put Me Down (If I’m Brown),” Little Joe’s “Viva la Huelga,” or Joel Rafael’s “El Bracero,” about exploited Mexican migrant farm workers who arrived in the United States in the 1940s and 50s.As part of their overview of the movement for better labor conditions, Alegria and Sanchez portray Chavez as someone attuned to the influence of popular art, passionate about jazz, and an avid dancer. Photographs of the future hero as a young pachuco in a zoot suit give way to anecdotes about how later in life he found joy in collecting records.The point, it seems, isn’t merely to humanize Chavez further but to note his conscious awareness of art as a resource in his non-violent arsenal to enact change in culture and, eventually, in policy.