BUENOS AIRES – Mafalda, the lovable and cunning six-year-old drawn to famed Argentine artist Quino, will bring her social adventures to the screen. News of the adaptation, to be directed by Oscar winner Juan José Campanella, was announced Monday evening as Netflix unveiled its 2024 “Made in Argentina” slate to an excited crowd of industry and media professionals.
Campanella will direct, produce and showrunner the project, while Gastón Gurali will co-write the script and serve as general producer of the Netflix original series, and Sergio Fernández will serve as production manager. Netflix, Campanella and Gurali are producing with Mundoloco CGI, the studio behind “Metegol,” the biggest animated production in Latin America to date.
“Not only did Mafalda and her friends make me laugh a lot, they would occasionally send me to the dictionary. Every new word I learned came with the reward of new laughter,” Campanella revealed in a statement in July.
“It is our duty to maintain Quino’s sense of humor, timing, irony and observations. We know that we will not be able to elevate Mafalda because it cannot be higher. But we dream that those of us who have dedicated ourselves to it since the first hour can share it with their children, and even if there are things that are only for adults, we can all laugh out loud as a family, and why not go to the dictionary from time to time,” he added.
Actor Dario Parasi, who is head of the upcoming reality show “Love Island Argentina,” gave the audience a sneak peek at other projects in development. These included “El Eternauta,” a graphic novel adaptation starring Ricardo Darin by Bruno Stagnaro, two projects by Daniel Borman, and the follow-up to “El Marginas,” “El Barro,” about the lives of female prisoners and a strong and honest answer to “Orange is the New Black.”
Adrián Suar's “No puedo vivir sin ti” and “Envidiosas” led by Griselda Siciliani also shared teasers, with their protagonists present to delight the audience.
Speaking about the resilience of the ambitious Eternout team, Darren, who attended the event, said: “It was a massive team effort, with a lot of courage and passion. We had some very long and very difficult days, as we all usually do.”
“We have great expectations with the arrival of this story because it is a very thoughtful and tailored version according to my taste, based on 'The Eternaut', conceived by Bruno and the screenwriters who participated in this. I think this will make us feel proud, and I also think that this is what will open, hypothetically, a window, to be able to continue dreaming of doing similar things, with similar characteristics, with a similar scope. It is a very big and ambitious project, and this makes us, of course, a little nervous.”
Paco Ramos, Netflix's VP of Content in Latin America, added that the project is set to be “one of the most important projects in the audiovisual industry in Argentina and Latin America. The work, precision, ambition, rigor, love and passion of every single person on this team is very inspiring.”
The event was held at the San Martin Cultural Center, a long-established arts center in the city’s downtown theater district and a passionate arm of regional cinema, following a government push to cut state-backed funding for the country’s audiovisual sector. With the country’s film and television authority, INCAA, having taken a hit this year and Ventana Sur relocating to Montevideo, Uruguay, after spending its formative years in Buenos Aires, Netflix hopes to further impress viewers with the immense talent Argentina has to offer under the Made in Argentina banner.
Live streaming may not be able to carry the weight of the entire industry, but the event offered hope that each project included in the lineup would increase interest in the larger Argentine talent pool, full of diverse and unique stories that travel easily across markets.
“We met a year and a half ago in this forum and presented many projects. Today, all of them have become reality. Some of them have already been launched, such as “Descansar en Paz” or “Goyo,” Ramos pointed out.
He concluded his speech by saying: “Today, we have about 20 projects in progress, between series, documentaries, films and a text presented by our host tonight. So I want to make it clear that we are still betting on Argentina, and we will not stop.”
With 19 titles on the horizon, the network aims to highlight the wide range of new and evolving talent that the country continues to offer.
More information about upcoming titles:
series
“Angel Di Maria: The Undressed” (Director: Juan Baldana, Production: PEGSA)
This three-part documentary series explores the life and career of Argentine soccer great Angel Di María, from his humble beginnings to the trophies that cemented his legacy. Interviews include Di María and those closest to him, including Lionel Messi, Emiliano “Dipu” Martinez, Neymar and Lionel Scaloni. Premieres September 12.
“Atrapados” (Director: Miguel Cohan, Hernan Goldfried, Produced by: Haddock Films)
Based on Harlan Coben's novel “Caught,” the series follows journalist Emma Garay, who has made a name for herself by catching criminals who have long evaded justice. She soon meets prominent socialite Leo Mercer, who becomes the prime suspect in her investigation into the disappearance of a teenage girl. Soledad Villamil, Juan Minujín, and Alberto Ammann lead the cast. The series premieres in 2025.
“Division Palermo Season 2” (Director: Santiago Kurowski, Rafael Lopez Saupedet, Production: K&S Films)
Director Kurowski created the second season of the series, which will see his protagonist, the Urban Guard, expand into new territories while the Palermo department faces new challenges, suddenly becoming embroiled in the city's bizarre underworld. Filming is currently underway.
“El Eternauta” (Director: Bruno Stagnaro, Produced by: K&S Films)
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Héctor J. Osterheld and Francisco Solano López, the series follows Juan Salvo, played by Ricardo Darín, as he and his fellow survivors navigate an alien threat while traversing a near-apocalyptic cityscape after a freak blizzard kills millions. The project also stars Karla Peterson, Cesar Troncoso, Andrea Pietra, and Ariel Staltari, and is set to debut in 2025.
Eternity
Courtesy of Netflix
“Envidiosa” (Director: Gabriel Medina Prod: Adrien Soare)
Vicky silently envies her friends for their marital bliss. Soon she turns 40, and she pushes her boyfriend to propose to her. When things don't go as planned, she is forced to reevaluate her strategy and, in the process of readjusting to single life, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The series, which will premiere on September 18, also stars Griselda Siciliani, Esteban Lamothe, Pilar Gamboa, Violeta Urtizbería and Benjamín Vicuña.
“En el barro” (Directed by: Alejandro Ciancio, Produced by: Underground Producciones)
The new series is a spin-off of Sebastián Ortega's popular series “El marginal”, and now focuses on the lives of female prisoners, where the protagonist Gladys Guerra and her fellow inmates explore the complexities of their new life behind bars. The project is currently in production. Starring Anna Garibaldi, Valentina Zenere, Rita Cortez, Lorena Vega, Marcelo Subiuto and Carolina Ramirez.
“Harm” (Director: Daniel Burman, Martin Hodara, Producer: Officina Burman, Cimarron)
A political drama directed by Daniel Bormann, based on the novel of the same name by Claudia Piñeiro. Leo Sbaraglia and Gustavo Bassani lead the cast, and the story takes place after the governor's daughter is kidnapped by his right-hand man during a vote on a crucial law on lithium exploitation. The motives are slowly revealed, and a 13-year-old conspiracy is revealed. Filming is currently underway.
Evils
Courtesy of Netflix
Love is Blind Argentina (Director: Ariel Porta, Producer: Fremantle)
Wanda Nara and Dario Parasi host the Argentine version of Love Is Blind, a one-on-one experience where contestants hope to find love that goes beyond physical attraction. They will travel, live together and plan their wedding on this emotional and engaging island journey. The show is set to premiere in 2024.
Mafalda” (Directed by: Juan José Campanella, Production: Netflix, Mundoloco CGI)
Beloved actress Mafalda gets the serial treatment in this animated project from acclaimed Oscar-winning director Juan José Campanella, who adapted the late Quino's iconic character and her adventures for audiences in this Netflix original.
the movies:
“27 Nights” (Director: Daniel Hendler, Producer: La Union de los Ríos)
In production, the film is based on the book “27 Nights” by Natalia Zito. Produced by Santiago Mitra and Agustina Lambie Campbell, it tells the story of Natalia Cohen, an artist imprisoned by her daughters.
“Campamento with Mom” (Director: Martino Zaidelis, Producer: 100 Bares Producciones)
Patri is an overbearing mother struggling to connect with her teenage son, and is determined to move in with his father. In an attempt to prove she's cool and keep him under her roof, she offers to take her son and his friends on a camping road trip while competing for his affections. Premiering in 2024, starring Natalia Oreiro, Milo Liz, and Pablo Raju.
“Delator's Heart” (Directed by: Marcos Carnevale, Produced by: Sony Pictures Int'l Productions, Leyenda Films, Kuarzo Entertainment)
Superficial businessman Juan Manuel receives a heart transplant from humble family man Pedro. After the surgery, he seeks to learn more about Pedro's life and falls in love with his widow, who feels an immediate and special connection with the man who now holds her husband's heart. Starring Benjamin Vicuña and Julieta Díaz. The film opens in 2025.
“El hombre que amaba los platos voladores” (Director: Diego Lerman, Producer: Campo Cine & Bicho Films)
Diego Lerman’s latest film, selected for competition at this year’s San Sebastián Film Festival, follows entertainment journalist José de Zer (Leonardo Sbaraglia) and his cameraman Chango as they travel to Córdoba to investigate a crop circle. Their investigation takes on a life of its own and leads to an extraterrestrial love affair. It will be released online in 2024.
“The Fantastic Girls” (Director: Fabiana Tiscornia, Produced by: Patagonic Film Group)
Sofia Morandi and Letizia Siciliani play two estranged sisters who inherit an apartment in the city's upscale Puerto Madero neighborhood after their father dies. Distrustful of each other, they must deal with their emotions and work together after finding 3 million euros hidden in a false wall. The series will premiere on the streaming platform on August 30.
“You Can't Live Without Me” (Director: Santiago Requejo, Production: Preludio Producciones Sa, 02:59 Films, Pris&Batty)
Cell phone-obsessed Carlos faces an ultimatum from his wife after ruining a family event. Trying to get his wife back, he joins a therapy group for those with the same phone addiction. The film premieres August 16, starring Adrienne Soare and Paz Vega.
Coming to Netflix after theatrical release:
“La mujer de la fila” (Director: Benjamin Avila, Produced by: Mostra Cine, Buffalo Films)
Based on a true story, the project follows Andrea, a middle-class mother whose son is wrongfully imprisoned. Andrea struggles with the injustice of being separated from her child, and while others in the same boat help her cope, she will strive to overturn her son's conviction while facing internal conflicts.
““Miss Carbon” (Director: Agustina Macri, Production: Morena Films, Pensa y Rocca Cine, The Warning Rivard AIE)
Carlita, a transgender woman, is the town's first female miner, earning an income that was previously forbidden to her due to the superstition that women working in the field would cause the mine to collapse. Inspired by true events, the film is about her passion and determination to break the rules and achieve her dreams. Lux Pascal stars in the film.
“Transmitzva” (Director: Daniel Burman, Producer: Ovicina Burman)
Boorman presents audiences with “a love story between two brothers,” as the film’s synopsis states. The film follows singer Momi Singer as she finds her true identity. It’s a lighthearted journey toward acceptance, buoyed by an unshakable bond between the two siblings. The film also stars Penelope Guerrero and Juan Minujín.
““Simon de la Montaña” (Director: Federico Luis, Producer: 20/20)
The film, which won the Grand Prix at the Critics' Week in Cannes, stars Lorenzo Ferro as Simon, a young transport assistant living in the turbulent foothills of the Andes, where the weather is stormy. Unable to cook and keep the house tidy, he suddenly seems to transform into a different person.
