Welcome to Global Breakouts
Global Breakouts, a feature by Deadline, focuses on spotlighting television series and movies that are making waves in their native countries. The entertainment industry might be more interconnected than ever, but there are still regional hits that emerge and captivate local audiences. Our goal is to keep you updated on these successes.
It has been nearly two years since Global Breakouts last explored Spain, and it’s time for a revisit. We’re diving into a conversation with Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, the co-creator of Querer, a show that recently claimed the top award at Series Mania. Querer centers on a woman who turns her life upside down by accusing her husband of rape and pursuing criminal charges. This intense drama from Movistar Plus+ has been stirring considerable interest beyond Spain’s borders.
Name: Querer
Country: Spain
Producers: Movistar Plus+, Kowalski Films, Feelgood Media
International sales: Movistar Plus Internacional
Imagine being in a situation where your mother accuses your father of rape. This chilling scenario is what sets the stage for Querer, the Series Mania International competition winner. Inspired by a mix of real-life incidents, creator Alauda Ruiz de Azúa crafted this series to spark discussions around the theme of consent.
“Our aim was to create a dialogue on how sexual abuse cases are perceived differently when they happen within one’s family compared to what is reported in the media,” de Azúa explains. “This question drove the narrative of our story.”
In a timely release, the show coincided with national debates in Spain about consent, highlighted by a case involving the former soccer federation president Luis Rubiales, who was convicted of sexual assault.
Set in the Basque Country, Querer—which translates as “to want” or “to love”—features Nagore Aranburu as Miren Torres. Her life is disrupted drastically when she accuses her husband, Íñigo (played by Pedro Casablanc), of rape after three decades of marriage, leading to a family crisis where her adult sons must either support her or their father, who maintains his innocence. This compelling narrative bears similarities to Global Breakout’s earlier feature from New Zealand, After the Party.
De Azúa aimed for a tone of “sobriety, minimalism, and simplicity” in Querer. “The sobriety relates to my preference for focusing on the actors’ performances, which should be at the heart of the story,” she says. “We built tension not through dramatic plot twists but through the complexity of family dialogues about difficult topics.”
In developing the series, de Azúa was cautious not to let the story delve into morbidity or cliché. She chose a narrative approach that positions viewers to reflect on how they might react in a similar situation.
De Azúa, whose work spans both film and television, describes her method in Querer as using “cinematic language in an episodic format.” She emphasizes, “Cinematography is about vision and language, not the format.”
Susana Herreras, Editorial Director of Original Fiction at Movistar Plus+, praised the show’s deep exploration of consent, which she described as not just a simple binary issue but one of great emotional, legal, and psychological complexity. “These are questions being asked globally, from Madrid to Los Angeles to Seoul,” Herreras noted. Furthermore, Querer ranked as one of Movistar Plus+’s top three most-watched shows in the first quarter of the year and continues to gain viewership.
Series Mania Recognition
The judges at Series Mania, led by Jury President Pamela Adlon, awarded Querer the grand prize, commending its adept portrayal of the effects of a family crisis. The show stood out among other strong contenders such as Mussolini: Son of the Century, Long Bright River featuring Amanda Seyfried, and Cooper Raiff’s Hal & Harper.
“Our goal was always to tell a story that resonates globally,” Herreras added. The critical acclaim and international interest in the show, including sales to networks like Arte in France and potential adaptations in several European countries, underscore the universal appeal of the narrative.
At a time when creative projects face significant challenges, de Azúa is grateful for the support from Movistar Plus+ for a project like Querer. Although the streaming era has increased the number of opportunities, she remains skeptical about the willingness of the industry to take risks.
The series not only entertains but also challenges viewers with profound societal questions, a testament to the enduring impact of visionary creators like de Azúa.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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