Yahoo News Movistar Plus+ Partners on Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s ‘Los Domingos’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Movistar Plus+, Spain’s most-viewed pay TV operator, is partnering on “Los domingos,” a new film from “Lullaby” director Alauda Ruiz de Azúa and the producers of that critically acclaimed film.
A Movistar Plus+ Original, “Los Domingos” is set in and will shoot in Ruiz de Azúa’s native Basque country, said Nahikari Ipiña at Sayaka Producciones (“Colossal”).
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Now in development, “Los Domingos” is produced by Movistar Plus+ and Sayaka and Marisa Fernández Armenteros’ Buenapinta Media (“The Mole Agent”), Sandra Hermida at Think Studio and Colosé Producciones (“Society of the Snow”) and Manu Calvo (“Wounded”).
“‘Los domingos’ is a co-production between Movistar Plus+ and four producers and as independent producers for us that’s important,” Fernández Armenteros said at Cannes.
“Domingos,” which shoots in the first half of 2025, is a drama, although plot details are under wraps.
“It is such luck to accompany Alauda in ‘Los domingos’ after ‘Lullaby’ success with audiences and critics. We are moved again by her talent in picturing the contradictions of her characters, and her unique visions when depicting life,” “Los domingos’” producers said Friday in a joint statement.
Bowing in Berlin’s 2022 Panorama section, “Lullaby” swept Spain’s Malaga Festival, taking eight awards including best picture, a rare achievement.
Endorsed by Pedro Almodóvar as “undoubtedly the best debut in Spanish cinema for years,” “Lullaby” was distributed in Spain by BTeam Pictures. It over-performed notably in Spain, grossing €823, 933 ($880,847) at theaters, before scooping three Goya Awards, including best new director and gongs for both main actresses, Laia Costa and Susi Sánchez.
“Movistar Plus+ wants to bet on auteurs with a key vision but also the potential to reach a broad public, and ‘Los domingos’ is a case in point,” said Guillermo Farré, Movistar Plus+ head of original films & Spanish cinema.
“Los domingos” will be a Movistar Plus+ Original “but Movistar Plus+’s strategy when it produces films is to co-produce,” he added.
“Los domingos” joins five other “event auteur” productions, in Farré’s phrase, which were announced by Movistar Plus+ in January and make up one of the most exciting film slates currently movie forward in Spain.
Two titles are already shooting: Iciar Bollaìn’s “I Am Nevenka” and an untitled Oliver Laxe project. The other three projects are Alberto Rodríguez’s “Los Tigres,” brought onto the Cannes market by Film Factory, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “El ser querido” and Ana Rus’ “El desencanto.”
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