As a seasoned viewer who has witnessed the evolution of television across borders and continents, I must say that this lineup of upcoming series from Latin America is nothing short of exhilarating! Each story seems to be a unique tapestry woven from the rich cultural threads of its respective region, promising an immersive viewing experience that transcends geographical boundaries.


The hybrid documentary series titled “The Letelier File” appears to be a notable choice among the 11 projects scheduled for one-on-one discussions during Ventana Sur’s Latin American Series Market. This captivating production delves into what is frequently referred to as the initial act of international terrorism carried out on American soil.

Under the title ‘The Letelier File’, some of Chile’s most influential creative minds in film and television have come together. This includes Felipe Carmona, creator of ‘Prison in the Andes’, as well as directors Rafael Valdeavellano, known for his work on ‘Chicago Boys’ and ‘Breaking the Brick’, and Nicolás Acuña, who has directed episodes for Fox’s ‘Besieged’ and RTVE/TNC’s ‘The 1,000 Days of Allende’.

In addition, “Blessed,” a hybrid documentary series, is one of the eleven projects. This is the first television series produced by Quijote Films, which is known for “The Settlers.

Additionally, “Couple’s Apartment” is part of the mix. This series was developed by Azul Lombardia, who is known for directing “Según Roxi,” a series that has been streamed on Netflix, Movistar Latin America, and TVP, as well as the movie “Doberman” and the popular Netflix series “No me rompan.” Lucas Mirvois, co-creator of the hit podcast “Malas Decisiones” featuring Anna Castillo, and “Según Roxi,” is also involved in this project.

In this collection, there’s a significant focus on genre titles. For instance, we have “The Plague,” a horror series revolving around revenants, and “Second Life,” a sci-fi story about a hypothetical scenario. Also included is a partial procedural titled “Dead Man.” Moving on to documentaries, there are options such as “Blessed,” true crime investigations like “The Leterrier File,” “Santa Marta,” and “Stolen Identity: Crime in the Digital Age” which delve into sexual crimes.

Many TV show creators seek collaboration with other companies, often with the intention of securing funding from streaming platforms. With free-to-air prime time becoming increasingly filled with adaptations of popular Turkish shows, producing content for streaming services has become a lucrative opportunity in Latin America.

The 11 projects heading for one-to-one meetings:          

“Blessed” (Director: Picky Talarico; Chile)

Created by Giancarlo Nasi and Sergio Karmy, known for their work on “Land and Shade” (Cannes winner) and other films like “Blanquita” and “The Settlers,” this production comes from Quijote Films of Chile. In this series, prominent figures in Chilean urban music open up about personal struggles and creative journeys. According to Karmy, such content strikes a balance between the high-quality standards of Quijote and viewer preferences.

“Couple’s Apartment” (Creators: Azul Lombardía and Lucas Mirvois; Argentina)

At his La Maldita label, Mirvois presents “Departamento”, a story about three sets of married friends who decide to rent an apartment as a break from their respective marriages. The narrative unfolds into a journey filled with miscommunications, jealousy, remorse, and outrageous mishaps, as suggested by the plot summary.

As a cinephile, I’d like to highlight a film that left a deep impression on me – “The Letelier File”. This captivating piece was penned by Felipe Carmona and brought to life by the skilled hands of directors Rafael Valdeavellano and Nicolás Acuña, hailing from Chile.

Created by Carola Fuentes, one of the co-directors on “Chicago Boys” and “Breaking the Brick,” a documentary series blending fiction and true crime that delves into the 1976 terrorist attack near the White House against Orlando Letelier, a prominent opponent of Pinochet. This production sheds light on the involvement of Chile’s infamous intelligence agency, DINA.

“Freedomland” (Creators-writers: Kristian Natalicchio, Patricia Liguori; Mexico)

A TV show revolves around a prominent character, the founder of Freedomland – Mexico’s top advertising agency. He gets arrested for tax fraud, causing a power struggle among potential successors while he’s in prison. The series is masterminded by Kristian Natalicchio, an experienced commercial producer, and Patricia Liguori, a playwright, screenwriter, and producer known for her plays “Blue Label,” “Two Sisters,” and “Little Dress.

“Dead Man” (Writer-Director: Joaquín Bravo; Uruguay)

An unconventional crime drama unfolds as Eleanor, a therapist who assists men in overcoming an internalized masculinity, finds herself entangled in a real-life murder case. Originating from Bravo, the mind behind “No hay nadie” (2023), this intriguing short-format web series is produced by Uruguay’s Básico Producciones.

“Stolen Identity: Sexual Crime in the Digital Age” (Director: Sebastián Carreras; Argentina)

This documentary series, titled “Stolen Identity,” recounts the harrowing tale of a woman whose world was shattered when she learned that her ex had stolen her identity and fabricated bogus profiles filled with private images. The narrative follows this courageous woman’s journey from being a victim to becoming an advocate as she confronts her tormentor and works tirelessly to establish legislation against digital abuse. “Stolen Identity” is a production of Cactus Cine, with scripts penned by Sebastián Davidovksy.

“The Plague” (Director: Guillermo Carbonell; Uruguay)

In the year 1970, Murdoc’s chilling supernatural production takes place in Montevideo. Here, the deceased mysteriously return to life, not as mindless zombies, but rather as perplexed individuals seeking answers about their past lives. A covert paramilitary force suppresses this phenomenon, tracking down the reanimated and imprisoning them in metal coffins on a deserted island. Director Carbonell’s short film titled the same won several accolades in 2017, including at Morbido Fest and Fantaspoa.

“Living” (Director: Marina Artigas; Uruguay)

This TV show, titled “El Cielo Cine’s Production” and helmed by director Marina Artigas, portrays four friends in their 30s who are compelled to live together in a compact apartment. Finding themselves stranded, cash-strapped, and facing hard times, they strive to get their lives back on track—hopefully maturing along the way. With two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Marina Artigas has worked both in front of and behind the camera, appearing in numerous short films, movies, and series, and directing the short film “Nélida.

“Santa Marta” (Writer: Andrés Borda; Colombia)

Set in 1976, the tale “Santa Marta” follows Carmen, a local law enforcement officer, as she delves into the chilling murder and rape of a British woman. As she carries out her duties, Carmen finds herself compelled to escape with her son through Santa Marta’s intricate underworld, a city nestled between majestic mountains and enchanting beaches, yet riddled with crime and corruption. This gripping story is inspired by real events, and is brought to life by Rhayuela Films.

“Second Life” (Director: Juan Rodriguez-Briso; Spain, Argentina)

Studio Omnicorp creates the science fiction drama centered around a fictitious tech firm, Second Life, that can forecast an individual’s natural demise date. Once individuals become aware of their expiration dates, their behavior shifts significantly, including the main character Martina – a single mother from Buenos Aires who learns she has merely four years remaining. Juan Rodriguez-Briso, recognized for his short films that frequently blend genres and the critically acclaimed documentary “Eighteam,” directs this production.

“South Pole Explorers” (Director: Jota Loyola; Chile)

This documentary series narrates the journeys of various expeditions to the South Pole, featuring individuals like explorers, researchers, eco-activists, aviators, sailors, and divers. These individuals are dedicated to understanding our planet better while ensuring its preservation for future generations. Topics such as climate change, environmental preservation, geopolitics, and peacekeeping will be central to this production, which is brought to you by Oxitocine.

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2024-11-13 16:17