As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in historical dramas, I must admit that “Ena – Queen Victoria Eugenia” stands out as a refreshing breath of fresh air. Unlike the often somber and serious tone of shows like “The Crown” or “Maxima”, this Spanish royal drama offers a unique blend of romance, comedy, and suspense that truly captures the essence of its characters.
Kicking off the Spain Country of Honor festivities at Mipcom is “Ena – Queen Victoria Eugenia,” making a powerful start.
On May 31, 1906, Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, the youngest granddaughter of Queen Victoria, tied the knot with Spain’s King Alfonso XIII at Madrid’s Royal Monastery of San Jerónimo. The wedding festivities were grand, and the newlyweds were captured in a joyous moment as they rode through the streets in their carriage. Ena, beaming with happiness, waved to the cheering crowds who eagerly called out her name as the royal carriage gracefully passed by.
However, Ena and Alfonso’s joy didn’t last long; it was overshadowed by the incident that occurred just under two miles away from Los Jerónimos, at Madrid’s old part Calle Mayor. An anarchist detonated a bomb there, leaving Ena and Alfonso unconscious in their carriage as the opening scenes came to an abrupt end.
As a movie critic, I had the pleasure of watching “Ena,” a captivating production from the minds of Javier Olivares at ‘The Department of Time’ and the talented duo Anaïs Pareto and Estel Díaz. This masterpiece is brought to us by Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, marking it as the country’s grandest royal drama yet.
What it isn’t, however, is a “The Crown” or “Maxima” knock-off.
This production, it should be noted, represents a Spanish royal drama. Yet, the term “drama” doesn’t always apply to this series. In fact, Episode 1, which had its first showing at Mipcom on Monday night, is primarily composed of flashbacks from a year prior to their wedding. These events detail Alfonso courting Ena, and these scenes are portrayed in a lighthearted, romantic comedy style, showcasing their almost innocent flirtation. As one letter from Alfonso to her reveals, he once wrote, “I fell asleep dreaming of you and woke up clutching my pillow.
Alfonso’s mother, Maria Cristina, is known for her snobbish behavior and often becomes the subject of jokes. During a conversation with Spain’s Prime Minister, she sarcastically asks, “Aren’t you a Count, Ramones?” as if it’s not a significant title. To this, he responds respectfully, “Yes, ma’am.” Later, she teasingly tells him to act like an innkeeper, suggesting that he should arrange accommodations for the wedding guests, given his noble status.
There’s also an element of suspense, as Mateo Morral, who was disowned by his Catalan industrialist father, finds himself drawn into the ideals of Barcelona anarchist Francisco Ferrer. Swearing to help those less fortunate, he is encouraged to cause a significant upheaval. In response, he attaches a bomb to a bouquet and throws it at the royal wedding carriage as a dramatic act of rebellion.
Additionally, Ena carries a strong feeling of historical foresight. “Show a bit more enthusiasm, my dear,” Alfonso suggests to Ena, as they bid farewell to the crowds outside the church. “If they disapprove of us, they might remove us from power,” he cautions.
Alfonso’s prediction proved accurate – Spain became a republic in 1931, forcing him to live out his remaining years in exile.
In the opening scene of the series, Ena initially appears shy, hailing from a lineage of hemophiliacs. Despite this, she persevered valiantly. Married to the unfaithful Alfonso, Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg endured six children, including sons with hemophilia, the devastating Spanish flu in 1918, exile, and two World Wars.
Loved by Queen Victoria during their childhood years together at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, she lived a long life and was present for the baptism of her great-grandson Philip, thus maintaining a connection with European royal families who have reigned since 1832 up until today.
In a fleeting memory, she recalls Queen Victoria telling her, “Don’t let anyone see your tears, Ena, or know of your suffering. And keep your laughter hidden as well, so no one guesses at your feelings.
Her uncle, Edward VII, foresees that she’ll feel sad. He also warns her harshly not to return to England, looking dejected like a dog with its tail between its legs.
She’ll require unwavering resilience throughout this daring and delicate television series. Furthermore, the headline at Mipcom is her task, a Spanish public broadcaster, RTVE, that collaborates with Cometa TV in its production, which is increasingly open-minded.
Viewers will perceive that Ena’s life and the show revolve around her relentless pursuit of happiness amidst various challenges.
EbMaster chatted to stars Kimberly Tell and Joan Amargós at Mipcom, about “Ena.”
Contrary to common assumptions, the initial episode reveals that Ena didn’t get married under duress, but rather out of affection…
Kimberly Tell: Indeed, it started as a storybook scenario where she was set to become a Queen. Yet, her dreams were vast and optimistic. However, she married Alfonso not for the crown but because she was deeply in love with him. Their affection mirrors that of two young, ardent lovers.
In the way you portray her, Joan, King Alfonso XIII comes across as incredibly charismatic. Interestingly, Luis Buñuel, known for his communist and surrealist views, expressed a rather favorable view of him in his autobiography titled “My Last Breath.
Joan Amorós: Churchill found Alfonso XIII to be the most captivating individual he’d ever encountered. My friend, actress María Hervás, once commented that we’re drawn to people who perform actions we wouldn’t dare to do ourselves. Alfonso XIII was similar to a mischievous child who constantly flouted the rules, having been excessively pampered by his mother. Such immature behavior can be appealing in the short run.
And in the longer term?
Amorós: It was as if Alfonso was unconscious of the consequences of his behaviour.
Perhaps it was due to her initial struggles with understanding Spanish when she arrived, Ena found herself being exceptionally attentive to her surroundings.
In Episode 1, Morral expresses his discontent to a fellow revolutionary in Paris over the stark contrast between extreme wealth and dire poverty, as the show transitions to the scene of Ena selecting extravagant dresses and hats for her wedding, thereby underscoring the series’ exploration of social issues.
Explain: Indeed, since the story is narrated from the perspective of the couples, you find yourself identifying with them and grasping their predicament. As humans, we all share fundamental feelings. Moreover, Ena was not simply a symbol or responding to events. She actively supported Spain’s Red Cross, whose efforts – although not limited to Spain – were honored with a Nobel Peace Prize in 1917.
And how is “Ena” directed?
Tell: It’s as if each episode is its own film, with a different style and rhythm.
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2024-10-22 09:17