The Mediapro Studio Distribution Secures Global Rights for 'The Marquise' Series
Guillermo del ToroOscar-winning filmmaker and author whose work and commentary explore fantasy, horror, and cinema.
The Mediapro Studio Distribution has recently secured global broadcasting rights for the highly anticipated period drama series, 'The Marquise'. This acquisition marks a significant move for the company, further solidifying its position in the international content market. The series, an adaptation of a celebrated Portuguese novel, tells the compelling story of an extraordinary woman in 18th-century Europe, promising a rich narrative filled with historical intrigue and character development. The announcement was a key highlight during the recent Berlin Film Festival, where The Mediapro Studio actively promoted its diverse portfolio of film and television projects to a global audience.
This strategic acquisition by The Mediapro Studio Distribution underscores the growing demand for high-quality historical dramas with international appeal. 'The Marquise' is poised to captivate audiences worldwide, offering a blend of historical accuracy, dramatic storytelling, and a strong female lead. The series' journey through various European settings, from a Lisbon convent to the revolutionary fervor of France, before her eventual return to Portugal to champion education and challenge tyranny, provides a compelling backdrop for exploring themes of societal change and personal resilience. This move not only enhances Mediapro's distribution catalog but also signals its commitment to bringing diverse and culturally rich narratives to the global stage, leveraging major industry events like the Berlin Film Festival to maximize exposure and secure widespread viewership.
Global Reach for a Historical Saga
The Mediapro Studio Distribution has successfully acquired the international distribution rights for the historical drama series 'The Marquise,' also known as 'Leonor, Marquesa de Alorna.' This significant agreement was finalized amidst a flurry of activity at the Berlin Film Festival, where the studio actively promoted its diverse catalog of films and television productions. The series is based on the acclaimed novel by Portuguese author Maria João Lopo de Carvalho and chronicles the life of Leonor de Almeida Portugal, a distinguished poet, diplomat, and revolutionary thinker from the 18th century, renowned as one of her era's most captivating women.
This ambitious production, developed by Pandora da Cunha Telles, unfolds over six episodes, meticulously detailing the Marquise's eventful life. Her journey begins in a Lisbon convent during her formative years, extends through her time at Vienna's royal court, and encompasses her experiences in revolutionary France. These episodes vividly portray the monumental transformations sweeping across Europe during her lifetime. Upon her return to Portugal, Leonor dedicates herself to challenging despotic rule and advocating for educational reform, embodying a spirit of enlightenment and progress. The series is a collaborative effort between Da Cunha Telles' Lisbon-based Ukbar Filmes and Spain’s Oscar-winning Tornasol Films, known for 'The Secret in Their Eyes.' It is slated for debut on Portuguese public broadcaster RTP and will also be available on Netflix in Portugal, ensuring broad access to this compelling historical narrative.
Spotlighting New Productions and Diverse Content
Beyond 'The Marquise,' The Mediapro Studio leveraged its presence at the European Film Market (EFM) to showcase a variety of new and upcoming projects. These included a selection of recent film titles such as 'Lapönia,' 'Aida y Vuelta,' and 'Mesa de Regalos,' highlighting the studio's commitment to diverse cinematic offerings. At the Berlinale Series Market Selects, The Mediapro Studio further expanded its showcase by featuring two additional series: Daniel Burman’s 'So Far So Good' ('El resto bien') and Hernán Caffiero’s 'Raza Brava,' reinforcing its robust production pipeline across different genres and formats.
'So Far So Good,' Daniel Burman's latest creation, was produced for the Argentine platform Flow through a collaboration between The Mediapro Studio’s Oficina Burman and Latin America’s production-services house Cimarrón. This dramedy series, co-written by Burman and a team of frequent collaborators, and featuring direction from actor-director Daniel Hendler, centers on a successful comic book artist grappling with a mid-life crisis. The eight 30-minute episodes star Benjamín Vicuña, Rita Cortese, Violeta Urtizberea, and Jorge Bolani, with guest appearances by Hendler, Andrea Frigerio, Alejandro Awada, and Marina Bellati. It is set to premiere on Flow across Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Concurrently, 'Raza Brava,' created by International Emmy winner Hernán Caffiero, marks the first fictional series dedicated to a real Latin American soccer team, Colo-Colo. This series, co-produced by DeCulto, Wild Sheep Content, and Atomica with support from CNTV, is based on true events from Santiago, Chile, over two decades ago. It follows Carlos Aguilar's rise within the 'White Claw' (Garra Blanca) fan group, illustrating his immersion into a world of newfound power and the complex identity struggles of soccer fandom. The production enhanced its authenticity by casting thousands of actual soccer fans as extras and filming at iconic locations like Colo Colo’s Estadio Monumental.

