Isabel Allende’s ‘The Long Petal of the Sea’ Adapted by Pablo, Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Spain’s Alea Media (EXCLUSIVE)

As a passionate lover of literature and international cinema, I am beyond thrilled about the upcoming adaptation of Isabel Allende’s latest novel, “A Long Petal of the Sea.” The collaboration between Chile’s Fabula and Spain’s Alea Media is nothing short of extraordinary, bringing together two powerhouses in the Spanish-speaking world.

Chile’s Fabula and Spain’s Alea Media have announced their partnership in developing “A Long Petal of the Sea,” a production inspired by Isabel Allende’s 2019 novel.

Founder of Alea Media, Aitor Galindo, has been appointed as the executive producer for a forthcoming TV series, set to begin filming towards the close of 2025.

The fresh title unites two giants of high-quality scripted dramas in the Spanish-speaking market, as well as potent intellectual properties, aiming to attract a wide range of viewers globally.

Established by Pablo and Juan de Dios Larrain, the film production company Fabula is renowned for producing films such as “A Fantastic Woman,” which earned them Academy Awards. Some of the other movies under Fabula’s belt, all directed by Pablo Larraín, include “Jackie,” “Spencer,” and “Maria.

Led by Aitor Galindo, Alea Media produces television shows such as the HBO Spanish hit “Patria” and Mediaset España’s “Wrong Side of the Tracks,” which recently ranked number one on Netflix’s global non-English TV series charts for this year.

In my reading endeavors lately, I’ve found myself engrossed in “A Long Petal of the Sea,” a new masterpiece penned by Allende, who has previously captivated readers with novels like “The House of the Spirits,” “Of Love and Shadows,” and “Inés of My Soul.” Each of these works has graced our screens through adaptations.

Originally released by Vintage Espano in the U.S., “A Long Petal of the Sea” commences during the Spanish Civil War, where young doctor Victor Dalmau and his friend, pianist Roser Bruguera, are forced to escape Barcelona. Their destination is Chile, which they reach on board the Winnipeg, a ship arranged by the charismatic poet Pablo Neruda, carrying 2,000 Spaniards to Valparaíso. The narrative suggests that this journey represents their pursuit of the tranquility and liberty they were unable to find in their native land.

In a critique, The Guardian stated that “A Long Petal of the Sea” remains remarkably pertinent today, as Gabilondo suggested, emphasizing that connections forged during one’s lifetime are more robust than any national boundary.

Although it may sound like a well-worn phrase to suggest that the tale of Spanish refugees in Chile from 85 years ago has relevance today, it’s an unfortunate reality that still rings true,” he expressed.

As a passionate observer, I firmly believe that films have an incredible potential to shed light on the struggles faced by displaced individuals. With such a powerful medium at our disposal, we could foster greater empathy among viewers, helping them grasp why people become refugees and cultivate more understanding towards immigrants.

She remarked, “Victor and Roser Dalmai’s tale mirrors that of numerous individuals who are compelled to leave their homelands today.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that “A Long Petal of the Sea” is being brought to life by Gabilondo and lead writer José Luis Martín, whose screenwriting pedigree includes the same free-to-air TV production environment as Alex Pina from “Money Heist” and Ramon Campos from “Cable Girls.” Their latest project has made a splash on Netflix with not one, but two hits, “Intimacy” and “Burning Body,” as well as the critically acclaimed “The Patients of Dr. García,” which stands out among recent Spanish public broadcaster RTVE series.

Additionally, Fabula executives and renowned writer Carla Stagno from Chile are also engaged in development work. Known for her versatile works, Stagno has penned “Sayen,” a Mapuche action-adventure film that became one of the most successful non-English productions by Amazon Studios. Her other notable works include “Allende’s 1,000 Days” and the popular telenovela “Blood Pact.

The series embodies Fábula’s philosophy of creating productions both locally and globally relevant. Álvaro Cabello, one of Fábula’s executive producers, elaborated on this, “As a production company, we are always seeking stories that authentically represent Latin American identity while simultaneously connecting different regions and resonating with global audiences. ‘A Long Petal of the Sea’ is precisely such a story.

According to Fabula CEO-producer Juan de Dios Larraín, it’s anticipated that approximately 70% of the series will be filmed in Chile, with the remaining footage being shot in Spain.

We’re excited that Isabel Allende, one of the most popular living Spanish-authors, has chosen us to adapt her amazing tale for the big screen. We’re currently trying to get the required funding so we can start filming by the close of the coming year,” he noted.

The phrase “A Long Petal of the Sea” was once spoken by Neruda, significantly influencing Allende during their interview. He advised her to abandon journalism and instead take up writing novels. In response to this counsel, she made that very change.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to Fabula’s TV productions, which have a notable reputation for breaking new ground in high-quality Latin American scripted dramas. For instance, I helped bring “La Jauría” by Lucía Puenzo and “The Shelter,” directed by Pablo Fendrik, to life – both of these masterpieces were created in collaboration with Fremantle.

As a passionate cinephile, I, Gabilondo, have transitioned from my writing roots to producing and running shows. I’ve had the privilege of co-creating some of Spain’s most beloved free-to-air TV series, including the captivating “El Principe” and the intriguing “Allí Abajo.

2024-10-01 09:17

Isabel Allende’s ‘The Long Petal of the Sea’ Adapted by Pablo, Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Spain’s Alea Media (EXCLUSIVE)

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