As a lifelong fan of Mägo de Oz and a filmmaker who has seen my own dreams come to fruition through the art of cinema, I can’t contain my excitement for Álvaro Brechner‘s upcoming biopic, “Mägo de Oz, La Película.” Growing up in Spain, I remember blasting Mägo de Oz tunes and dreaming about joining a band that could create such a powerful connection with its fans. Now, to see this iconic group’s story being brought to the big screen by one of our most talented directors is truly awe-inspiring.
Álvaro Brechner, renowned as one of the foremost South American talents in cinema over the past decade, who was praised by EbMaster in his review of “A Twelve-Year Night” selected for Venice, is now set to direct “Mägo de Oz, La Película,” a large-scale biopic about the Spanish folk metal band.
Filmmaker Brechner plans to start filming “Bad Day to Go Fishing,” Uruguay’s submission for the Oscars, on March 17. The movie will be shot in Madrid, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), and Mexico City with a multinational cast led by Adrián Lastra from Spain (“Velvet”), Roberto Álamo (“Riot Police”), Michelle Renaud (“Malvada”) of Mexico, and Michael Ronda (“Cuando sea joven”).
The film is being made by up-and-coming Spanish production company Eterno Island Pictures, which is part of El Sueño Eterno Pictures (“The Long Journey”). The script was penned by Sofía Cuenca, who also collaborated on “My Fault.” This movie quickly became Prime Video’s most popular non-English language film upon its release in 2023.
Band Mägo de Oz has released more than twenty studio albums, with sales exceeding 2 million units and earning them a nomination for a Latin Grammy Award.
The film’s synopsis reveals that it traces the journey of this movie, from its modest origins in the ’80s to its global recognition. It explores the creative conflicts, triumphs, controversies, and setbacks that shaped its identity. Furthermore, it will investigate the inner workings of the group, their loyal fan base, and how their music resonated with multiple generations.
Established by drummer Txus de Fellatio (portrayed by Lastra) in 1988, the band Mägo de Oz is distinguished for its unique blend of heavy and power metal with Celtic folk. Violinist Mohamed “Moha” (real name Guillermo Furiase) joined in 1992, while flutist, whistler, gaita, and bagpiper Fernando Ponce de León (known as Marc Parejo or “Acacias 38”) came aboard in 1999.
As a movie buff, I’d put it like this: It’s worth noting that an impressive array of musicians have graced the band with their talents. Just yesterday, they announced a list of ten pivotal cast members. In this musical journey, Álamo will portray Big Simon, a Spain-based Chilean producer and musician who significantly shaped Mägo de Oz in its formative years. Rennaud will bring Patricia Tapia, the band’s most prominent female vocalist, to life. Lastly, Ronda will embody Frank, whose creativity was instrumental in shaping the band’s unique sound.
Producer Patricia González, who is also the CEO of El Sueño Eterno Pictures, stated that the project represents a significant change for us. This feature film is the result of an extensive exploration into the world of the band, aimed at capturing and presenting on the big screen their legendary music and the authentic personalities of its members, she explained further.
As a cinephile, I can tell you that Prep put great care into their movie-making process by conducting thorough interviews with the cast, delving deeply into the background of the publisher, observing the band’s creative growth, and paying attention to every detail in production design, as shared by González.
In the movie, the music will be crafted by Txus di Fellatio and Mohamed, who will not only produce unique compositions for the film but also oversee the selection of the band’s most popular songs to be included in the soundtrack.
Pedro Diaz, often known as “Peri,” assumes the role of executive producer. As part of the Mago de Oz’s extensive family, it has consistently been a source of honor for me to contribute towards spreading the influence of rock music to nearly half the globe, he stated.
EbMaster talked to Brechner about “Mägo de Oz, La Película.”
What attracted you to “Mägo de Oz”?
This undertaking is quite extensive, encompassing various aspects, and it’s my inaugural film based on someone else’s screenplay. This situation raises the question of how I can infuse my unique style, dramatic flair, and humor into this project. The group’s enthusiasm stirred up a wave of nostalgia within me – a sensation that gave me goosebumps, and was so intense it felt like butterflies in my stomach – reminiscent of my 15-year-old self, an avid heavy metal music fan, transporting me back to a time when I would crank up the volume on my music, testing my parents’ patience.
The band saw multiple iterations, conflicts….
Indeed, beyond simply portraying its vibrancy, what truly draws me in is the profound humanity and unique complexity of its characters – each member of this band embodies a struggle, fueled by passion and a raw vulnerability. This film will delve into their aspirations, setbacks, and quest for fame, friendship, and ultimately, redemption. As a movie lover, I can’t wait to witness these journeys unfold on the big screen.
In simple terms, the Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Arriaga advised that the essence of one’s creative work can be effectively encapsulated in a brief statement.
The narrative centers around a group of individuals who transform their dream into a reality, finding themselves at a precipice where they could potentially lose everything. This tale explores the question of perseverance following the realization of one’s dreams, even when it leads to loss. It delves into maintaining one’s identity amidst change. Success often brings about temptation and self-destruction for bands. Frequently, our dreams’ greatest adversary is ourselves. The unique aspect of Mägo de Oz lies in their journey unfolding within a Spanish context, residing in Madrid, thereby distinguishing them from bands predominantly based in the U.S. and U.K.
Does the nature of bands sometimes lead to internal disputes, perhaps due to a scarcity of opportunities for individual creative expression within the group?
As a movie buff, I’m captivated by this unique phenomenon – how a group of individuals can collectively embody a creative spirit and sense of self-awareness that transcends their individual identities. It’s not just about the sum of its parts or one plus one. Instead, it’s about the seamless integration of each member into the whole. Even as Mägo de Oz experiences changes with musicians joining and leaving, the band’s essence endures, exhibiting a remarkable degree of self-sufficiency and independence.
In what way would you sense that this will be a film by Álvaro Brechner?
A director’s personality and style is bound to shine through, showcasing their unique perspective on themes like humor, drama, love, and even fantasy – reflecting the gap between our dreams, aspirations, and self-perception, and our actual reality.
You said it’s a big film…..
The film, boasting a large cast, spanning multiple years, brimming with emotional depth, and presenting a vast storyline, touches upon many aspects – not just the band’s journey but also personal stories of its members and insights about Spain. Moreover, coordinating 10 musicians on stage for filming is quite an undertaking in itself.
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2024-12-17 13:17