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Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & Pedro Almodovar Among Stars Signing Open Letter In Support Of Exiting Movistar Exec Domingo Corral
Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & Pedro Almodovar Among Stars Signing Open Letter In Support Of Exiting Movistar Exec Domingo Corral

Yahoo

time23-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & Pedro Almodovar Among Stars Signing Open Letter In Support Of Exiting Movistar Exec Domingo Corral

Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz have signed an open letter expressing support for departing Movistar Plus+ content chief Domingo Corral. It was announced last week that Corral would be exiting his role as Director of Fiction & Entertainment at the Telefónica-owned streamer – news that followed a spate of other major management changes. More from Deadline Penélope Cruz & Javier Bardem To Play Married Couple On Rocky Terrain In Florian Zeller's Psychological Thriller 'Bunker'; FilmNation Launches Cannes Market Hot Project Pedro Almodóvar Blasts Donald Trump As "The Greatest Mistake Of Our Time" As Director Accepts Lincoln Center Award Pedro Almodóvar To Receive 50th Chaplin Award From Film At Lincoln Center; Dua Lipa And John Waters Among Presenters The surprise announcement has now led 144 Spanish entertainment industry professionals to put their name to the open letter, which was reported in several local news outlets. 'In light of Domingo Corral's departure as director of fiction and entertainment at Movistar+, after 10 years working to bring Spanish film and series to the top of the national and international audiovisual scene, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to him and his entire team,' the letter begins. 'During a decade that has been revolutionary in the sector, thanks also to Telefónica's commitment to the creation of original content, Domingo Corral and his entire team have championed an idea: A project based on respect for creators, close collaboration with independent producers and listening to all the partners they have worked with, without ever neglecting their focus on entertainment. 'The achievements of their series and fiction projects, endorsed by critics and audiences, are evident. They have created series and produced films that are now part of Spain's audiovisual legacy and have won, year after year, the most prestigious audiovisual awards in Spain and abroad.' Corral had joined Movistar Plus+ in 2014 and oversaw its move into scripted originals. He was promoted to his current role in 2023, as his power at telecoms provider Telefónica grew. However, his exit closely followed Marc Murtra being named Telefónica's President in January and Daniel Domenjó installed as Movistar Plus+ CEO two months later. 'In addition to greatly benefiting the industrial fabric of the sector over these 10 years and helping to provide opportunities for new voices, Domingo Corral's team has also been an example for many of us when it comes to how to approach projects,' the latter added. 'Their dedication, honesty, and transparency have made this possible. #ThankYouDomingoCorral.' The signatories include Cannes Critics' Week Jury President Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Javier Cámara, Paco León, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, whose Movistar Plus+ series Querer was among Spain's most talked about and critically acclaimed of 2024, and Alejandro Amenábar, whose series La Fortuna for the streamer launched recently. On the scripted side, Corral is being replaced by Jorge Pezzi, the former CEO of Spanish production house Boomerang TV, while ex-ITV Studios Iberia exec producer Hugo Tomás will take on non-fiction and entertainment. El País reports that the open letter is a request to the new bosses to keep up the standards Corral and his team have set with series such as Querer and Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (the Javis)'s La Mesias. The company currently has projects in place with Sorogoyen, the Javis and Alberto Rodríguez, along with Cannes competition title Sirat, which is directed by Oliver Laxe. Movistar Plus+ couldn't be contacted before press time today. We've reached out to reps for Bardem, Cruz and Almodovar. Best of Deadline Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025 TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Everything We Know About 'Emily In Paris' Season 5 So Far

Movistar Plus+ Pledges Commitment To Independent Film After Domingo Corral's Shock Exit
Movistar Plus+ Pledges Commitment To Independent Film After Domingo Corral's Shock Exit

Yahoo

time23-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Movistar Plus+ Pledges Commitment To Independent Film After Domingo Corral's Shock Exit

EXCLUSIVE: There was an outpouring of emotion and concern when it was revealed that Domingo Corral, Director of Fiction & Entertainment at Spain's Movistar Plus+, was leaving the Spanish company, but the streamer's head of cinema has moved to assuage fears. Addressing the news, which sent shockwaves through the Spanish industry, Movistar Plus+'s Head of Original Films & Spanish Cinema, Guillermo Farré, told Deadline the powerful local player will stay the course when it comes to original film. More from Deadline Cannes Film Festival 2025: Read All Of Deadline's Movie Reviews Bi Gan's 'Resurrection' Hits Cannes With 7-Minute Ovation At World Premiere 'Resurrection' Review: Bi Gan's Dream Scenario Is The Perfect Cure For Insomnia - Cannes Film Festival 'The goal is clear, the direction of what Domingo started works on many different levels,' he said. 'It works in terms of the numbers that we have, and it's a clear model to create movies and series that resonate in a very crowded world.' After it emerged the long-serving Corral was unexpectedly leaving, an open letter, signed by almost 150 Spanish industry names such as heavyweights Pedro Almodóvar, Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, thanked Corral and his team for championing high-end original film and TV. The signatories also asked for those efforts to continue and standards be maintained. Farré has now offered those assurances, while admitting the recent exec upheaval has been emotional for everyone. 'Domingo has created a culture in Movistar Plus+ with a project that has been amazing for many years,' he said. 'I'm heartbroken that this happened, but these things happen in big companies. I expect that it will take some time until the pieces of the puzzle adjust, but I'm very confident that the vision is clear; the projects are working, and there is a path to continue in that direction.' Amid the glitz and glamor of the Cote d'Azur, Movistar Plus+'s commitment to original film will be welcome news in Spain and beyond. In comments that will resonate with cineastes and industry folk alike, Farré also discussed the importance of theatrical as part of the Movistar Plus+ film strategy, and unpacked how it will continue to lean into filmmaker-driven fare with commercial appeal. The company also shared details of La Bola Negra at Cannes, the latest from red-hot duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. Cannes Contender: Deadline was speaking to Farré in the packed lobby of Cannes' Gray d'Albion hotel a couple of days after Sirât has had its red-carpet moment a little further along the Croisette. Óliver Laxe's film was one of two Spanish titles in competition this year, alongside Carla Simón's Romería. It's a feather in the cap of the Telefónica-owned company and goes a long way to validate its investment in an auteur-driven slate that also includes Los Tigres from Alberto Rodríguez, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa's Los Domingos, and Cinco Minutos Más, starring and written by Berto Romero and helmed by Javier Ruiz Calder. Farré recalled that the signs were good after the Cannes festival team first screened Sirât. 'They couldn't tell us right away that it was in competition, but we had the sense that they understood the movie, they understood the proposal, and they liked the radicality of it,' he said. 'It's a movie that is going to generate a lot of passion in one way or another and they understood that. When we knew that the film was selected in competition, the first thing that I felt was a lot of pride for Óliver, his work, his commitment, and because he's made an amazing film.' Sirât follows a father (Sergi López) and his son, who arrive at a remote rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco to look for Mar, daughter and sister, who has been missing for months. A Theatrical Strategy Movistar Plus+ original films are released in theaters and drop on the streamer four months later. The plan is to generate maximum impact before a title bows on the streamer, where it will compete for eyeballs with myriad other movies and series. Amid the never-ending debate about whether films should play in movie theaters before launching on streaming, Farré said that, for Movistar Plus+, a theatrical release is simply good business. 'I love the cinema experience myself, but this [strategy] is not for romantic reasons,' he added. 'We see the data. When a film performs in theaters, it has a direct effect on how it performs on Movistar Plus+. It's crystal clear that there is no cannibalization. It's the other way around. 'Maybe if we released 50 movies per year, we would have a different approach, but in our current approach, which is more boutique, the theatrical experience is the key thing that starts everything.' Accordingly, the streamer is working with a variety of sales agents: The Match Factory for Sirât, Film Factory for Los Tigres, and Goodfellas for El Ser Querido and La Bola Negra. 'We live in a moment where there are so many choices that the most likely scenario when you release a movie is that it gets lost in a sea of different options,' said Farré. 'We believe in strong voices, strong ideas and strong stories, but always hand-in-hand with the ambition to reach the public. We don't believe in niche stories, we believe in unique stories with personality that have the potential to reach a big audience.' These filters apply to what gets made, he added: 'We end up choosing directors and screenwriters that have a unique voice and can say something different.' Rodrigo Sorogoyen collaborations One of those unique voices is Rodrigo Sorogoyen. His film El Ser Querido, starring Javier Bardem and Vicky Luengo as a film director and his estranged actress daughter making a movie together, is another title on the steamer's 2025 slate. It builds on an existing relationship with the writer-director, Farré explained. 'He did Antidisturbios with us and then he made The New Years, and we wanted to be his home. Now he's doing El Ser Querido, and we are in the editing step of the of the process and it looks amazing. In every single project, he challenges himself and he challenges us, so it's a very fruitful relationship in the sense that he always wants to push forward. He doesn't rely on any previous formula and it's super exciting because that's exactly what we want.' Soon after the Sirât premiere, Movistar Plus+ announced details of La Bola Negra from Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, who also go by Los Javis. They are considered the hottest next-generation creatives in Spanish film and TV, and Farré said they are a generational talent. 'There is an overuse of this word, but they are visionaries,' he added. Speaking about their new project, he said: 'It's the most ambitious movie that we've done so far on many different levels, starting with the budget, but also because we are supporting two of the most important creative people in Spain right now.' Inspired by the life and work of poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, the film will unspool across three timelines, namely, modern-day Spain, and the country before and then during the Spanish Civil War. It stars singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his big-screen debut, alongside Penélope Cruz, Miguel Bernardeau and Lola Dueñas. 'It's about what it felt like to be rejected being a gay man in different moments during the history of Spain,' said Farré. 'It's a movie about identity, rejection, and the power of art and literature to change your life, all told with a unique and sensitive voice. It has a poetic side, but the way Los Javis write is very approachable. It's going to be a film that will be very easy to connect with.' In terms of a release schedule, Sirât will hit movie theaters in Spain soon after Cannes then Los Tigres launches in the fall. These will be followed by Los Domingos and El Ser Querido. Details of Movistar Plus+'s new film slate are expected in January and Farré signed off his chat with Deadline by offering some final words of reassurance amid the exec shuffles. As the industry calls on Movistar Plus+ to continue to invest in singular film and TV projects he said: 'The Movistar Plus+ model is going to continue that direction.' Best of Deadline Every 'The Voice' Winner Since Season 1, Including 9 Team Blake Champions Everything We Know About 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' So Far 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?

Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' ‘La Bola Negra,' Acquired for Global Sales by Goodfellas
Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' ‘La Bola Negra,' Acquired for Global Sales by Goodfellas

Yahoo

time20-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' ‘La Bola Negra,' Acquired for Global Sales by Goodfellas

Penélope Cruz is set to star in 'La bola negra,' a new feature film written, directed and produced by celebrated Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, collectively known as Los Javis. The film is produced Movistar Plus+ and Suma Content Films in co-production with France's Le Pacte, with French sales company Goodfellas taking sales rights outside Spain and France, it was announced in Cannes on Monday. More from Variety MUV Capital, Retrato Filmes Set Trailblazing Partnership for Distribution in Brazil, Latin America (EXCLUSIVE) 'Urchin' Review: Harris Dickinson's Fine Directorial Debut Bridges Social Realism and Surrealism 'Slauson Rec' Review: A Documentary About Shia LaBeouf's Acting Class - and His Anger Issues - Is More Appalling Than Fascinating 'La bola negra' will premiere exclusively in cinemas in 2026 before arriving on Movistar Plus+ sometime later. Joining Cruz in the star-studded cast are Guitarricadelafuente, making his screen debut, Miguel Bernardeau ('Elite'), Carlos González ('Veneno') and acclaimed actress Lola Dueñas, known for her award-winning performances in 'The Sea Inside' and 'La Mesías.' 'We wrote Penelope's role specifically for her. Her humor and elegance make it a pleasure to work with her,' said Javier Calvo during the Cannes event. Inspired by Federico García Lorca's unfinished play 'La bola Negra' and 'La piedra oscura' by Alberto Conejero the film weaves together the lives of three men across three different time periods. Their stories are intimately connected through sexuality, desire, pain, and legacy. 'The creative process began with historical research, which we merged with a beautiful literary collaboration with Alberto Conejero,' said Javier Ambrossi. 'It includes elements of theater adaptation, imagination, and introspection, allowing us to infuse each plotline with our identity. It's incredibly exciting to present part of the cast here in Cannes, there are still many surprises to come.' 'Writing 'La bola negra' has been an emotional and complex experience,' added Calvo. 'We didn't feel like we were creating a story, but rather uncovering it, excavating characters, dialogue, and a wound that somehow always existed within us. It's a deeply personal text that reminds us why we do this work.' This is the first film from the Javis at Suma Content Films, the new cinematic division of Suma Content, the production company founded by Ambrossi and Calvo. Following the critical and award success of their series 'La Mesías,' which premiered at San Sebastián, screened at Sundance and won six Feroz Awards and three Forqué Awards, 'La bola Negra' marks a major return to feature filmmaking for the duo. Guillermo Farré, new head of original and Spanish cinema at Movistar Plus+, celebrated the announcement: 'We are thrilled to accompany Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo on this new journey. After the creative adventure of 'La Mesías,' this project represents a bold next step in their artistic path, one driven by a passion for great stories told in brave, singular ways.' 'We are incredibly proud to co-produce 'La bola negra',' said Jean Labadie, president of Le Pacte. ''La Mesías' completely won us over, and we were thrilled to receive the script. We committed immediately, captivated by its wit, intelligence, and emotional power.' From Goodfellas, whose Cannes 2025 lineup includes five official selection titles, the response was equally enthusiastic: 'We were absolutely blown away by 'La bola negra'. It's bold, cinematic, emotional, and visually striking, one of those films that grips you from the first scene. It confirms Ambrossi and Calvo as among the most vital voices in contemporary European cinema.' The film's production begins in August and will shoot across various locations in Spain and Europe. Returning behind-the-scenes collaborators from La Mesías include Gris Jordana (cinematography), Roger Bellés (art direction), Ana López Cobos (costume design) and Raül Refree (original score). Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival

Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' Next Movie "La Bola Negra"
Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' Next Movie "La Bola Negra"

See - Sada Elbalad

time20-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • See - Sada Elbalad

Penélope Cruz to Star in Los Javis' Next Movie "La Bola Negra"

Yara Sameh Penélope Cruz has signed on to star in 'La bola negra,' a new feature film written, directed and produced by celebrated Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, collectively known as Los Javis. The film is co-produced by Movistar Plus+, Suma Content FilmsFrance's Le Pacte, with French sales company Goodfellas taking sales rights outside Spain and France. 'La bola negra" was announced in Cannes on Monday and will premiere exclusively in cinemas in 2026 before arriving on Movistar Plus+ sometime later. The film boasts a star-studded cast that includes Miguel Bernardeau ('Elite'), Carlos González ('Veneno'), and acclaimed actress Lola Dueñas, known for her award-winning performances in 'The Sea Inside' and 'La Mesías.' Spanish singer-songwriter and guitarist Guitarricadelafuente will also make his screen debut in the feature. 'We wrote Penelope's role specifically for her. Her humor and elegance make it a pleasure to work with her,' said Javier Calvo. Inspired by Federico García Lorca's unfinished play 'La bola Negra' and 'La piedra oscura' by Alberto Conejero, the film weaves together the lives of three men across three different time periods. Their stories are intimately connected through sexuality, desire, pain, and legacy. 'The creative process began with historical research, which we merged with a beautiful literary collaboration with Alberto Conejero,' Javier Ambrossi said. 'It includes elements of theater adaptation, imagination, and introspection, allowing us to infuse each plotline with our identity. It's incredibly exciting to present part of the cast here in Cannes, there are still many surprises to come.' 'Writing 'La bola negra' has been an emotional and complex experience,' Calvo added. 'We didn't feel like we were creating a story, but rather uncovering it, excavating characters, dialogue, and a wound that somehow always existed within us. It's a deeply personal text that reminds us why we do this work.' 'La bola negra" is the first film from the Javis at Suma Content Films, the new cinematic division of Suma Content, the production company founded by Ambrossi and Calvo. Following the critical and award success of their series 'La Mesías,' which premiered at San Sebastián, screened at Sundance, and won six Feroz Awards and three Forqué Awards, 'La bola Negra' marks a major return to feature filmmaking for the duo. The film is set to begin production in August and will shoot across various locations in Spain and Europe. Returning behind-the-scenes collaborators from "La Mesías" are Gris Jordana (cinematography), Roger Bellés (art direction), Ana López Cobos (costume design), and Raül Refree (original score). read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies

France Embraces Spanish TV, But for How Long?
France Embraces Spanish TV, But for How Long?

Yahoo

time15-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

France Embraces Spanish TV, But for How Long?

At France's Series Mania in April, now firmly consolidated as Europe's biggest TV festival, Spain scored a historic double, scooping its two top awards, Competition's Grand Prize with 'Querer' and its International Panorama major sidebar with 'Celeste.' Both 'Querer' and 'Celeste' were produced by Spain's Movistar Plus+, 'Celeste' along with The Mediapro Studio. Since Series Mania launched its International Panorama in 2018, no country, let alone the same company, has won its two biggest prizes in one and the same year. More from Variety LA Screenings Independents Bounces Back Brazilian Major Streamer Globoplay Bets on Global Reach of True Crime By Bringing Fourth Season of 'The Anti-Kidnapping Unit' to LA Screenings The Rise of 'Like Water for Chocolate' Producer Endemol Shine Boomdog In recent dealing, Arte France, the French leg of pan-European public broadcaster Arte, also co-produced Rodrigo Sorogoyen's 'The New Years' and acquired 'Querer' and 'La Mesías,' the biggest series to date from 'Velvet' creators and Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – 'Los Javis.' 'It's the first time that we have so many projects at the same time with the same commissioner and the same program unit of one company or one broadcaster or platform, whatever,' notes Alexandre Piel, Arte France's deputy head of drama. At 2025's Series Mania's, 'Celeste' lead Carmen Machi also won Panorama's best actress award, while 'Interregnum,' from Spain's Tornasol Media, received its SeriesMakers Beta & Kirch Foundation Award. 'The two major international prizes confirm the prominent place of Spanish series in today's serial landscape,' Series Mania founder and general manager Laurence Herszberg commented, announcing the awards. Movistar Plus+ and The Mediapro Studio certainly aren't making all Spain's running in France. In early 2018, 'Money Heist' exploded onto the world's TV scene, becoming Netflix's first ever non-English-language global blockbuster. France was one of La Casa de Papel's core markets. Netflix is still going great guns in Spain. 2025's Series Mania looked to mark another milestone moment, which says a lot about what's happened to Spanish TV and international market trends since. 'There has been massive investment from the global streamers in recent years, in part because of the potential of Spanish-speaking markets, and that has pushed competition, producers and talent and the average quality of shows,' says Francesco Capurro, Series Mania Forum director. Begun by HBO over 1999-2002, global streamers when they launched aimed to amplify that phenomenon, creating a feeding frenzy for scripted premium TV which many big Spanish groups – Movistar Plus+, The Mediapro Studio, Atresmedia – have responded to with energy. With no MipTV in Cannes, their executives and titles have flooded Series Mania. A fourth Spanish title selected by the European TV festival was 'Mariliendre,' created by Javier Ferreiro and produced by Los Javis, and described by Variety as Spain's answer to 'La La Land.' Series Mania was very close to tying down a fifth title, comments Herszberg. As things stood, only France had more series at Series Mania this year than Spain. Ghislain Barrois at Spain's Mediaset España, RTVE's José Pastor and Movistar Plus+'s Rubén Fernández Loa (Movistar Plus+) served on Forum juries. Spain's across the board growth is now reaping international market benefits. Founded in 2010 at Paris' Forum des Images and moving to Lille in 2018, Series Mania has grown as Europe's premier co-production meet. In Europe, in real terms broadcaster budgets in Europe, at both public or commercial networks, are now edging down, according to a European Audiovisual Observatory study presented at Series Mania. 'It's increasingly difficult to make an ambitious series just within your country. Getting outside money already opens up being broadcast elsewhere or accessing a sales agent,' says Herszberg. 'Co-financing and co-production are more relevant than than ever,' agrees Series Mania director Francesco Capurro. In Arte France, Movistar Plus+ has found a like-minded partner. The two's now intense title-by-title relationship is knit by what Piel calls 'common editorial guidelines.' From Alauda Ruíz de Azua, and teaming Movistar Plus+ with Kowalski Films and Feelgood Media, 'Querer' plumbs what must be one of the least explored but most frequent scenarios of rape in the world: marital relationships. Based on Javier Cercas' acclaimed non-fiction book of the same title, 'Anatomy of a Moment' captures Spain's Feb. 23, 1981 one night coup' d'etat, emphasizing the complexity of events, the fragility of its democracy, the value of its defence and how two men distant on the political spectrum – Spanish prime minister Adolfo Suárez, who came from Spain's Francoist Falange, and Spanish Communist Party leader Santiago Carrillo – came to an intricate understanding which allowed Spain's 1970s passage from dictatorship to democracy. 'It's how to be relevant, accurate, bring something a bit different, taking risk but bringing some nuance in a world which is so polarized, so radical that you just need a little bit of elements to understand or to switch point of views,' says Piel. 'It's a brick of knowledge that we all need in Europe just to understand where Spain is today,' he adds. 'Thanks to Suárez and Carrillo's ability to understand each other's point of view, pact and be flexible, they facilitated Spain's transition,' said Domingo Corral in April, when still Movistar Plus+'s director of fiction and entertainment content. Co-production brings more money to the table than a simple licensing deal, and pares risk. Movistar Plus' is a local operator without the magnitude of global services and 'Anatomy of an Instant' is 'an expensive series,' said Corral. 'Having a parter like Arte France allows us a lot at a economic level but also because of its creative vision,' said Corral. Since it bowed its first shows in 2017, the largest achievement of Movistar Plus+ has been to attract some of Spain's biggest creative talents as many creators in Spain have seized an opportunity to make series of the same level of artistic ambition and cinematographic execution as in cinema. As the Series Mania double suggests, this younger generation is ever more on France's radar. Sorogoyen won France's best foreign film Cesar for 'The Beasts' in 2023. Winning two prizes at last year's Series Mania, Los Javis 'La Mesías' was greeted with rave reviews in France when released last November on Arte: 'One of the most beautiful series of the year,' said Libération. Two Spanish films – Oliver Laxe's 'Sirat,' Carla Simon's 'Romería' – have now been selected for Cannes competition. Movistar Plus+ and Arte France now hope to co-develop series together, says Piel. In April, that looked to spell well for the Spanish operator's bottom line and international creative reach. In late April, however, Corral, the main architect of Movistar Plus+' artistic ambition over the last decade, supported by Sergio Oslé as Movistar Plus president and then CEO of Telefónica España, was dismissed as Movistar Plus+ director of fiction and entertainment content by its parent Telefonica, itself under new management. 150 prominent figures from the Spanish entertainment sector have signed a public letter expressing their gratitude and consternation. The most obvious way to interpret his Corral's removal is that Movistar Plus+ will now pursue a different production strategy. Other operators remain bullish about Spanish TV talent. It remains to be seen whether Spain's consecration in France now mark halcyon days. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival

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