As a dedicated fan of Spanish cinema, I must say that this year has been a golden era for Pokeepsie Films! With three new premieres gracing our screens this month alone and their 10-year anniversary to boot, it’s clear that they are setting the bar high in the world of film production.
This story was created in paid partnership with Pokeepsie Films
Pokeepsie Films is filled with joy as they have three new releases on distinct streaming platforms this month, a remarkable release schedule indeed. To make things even more exciting, the company, co-founded by director-writer Alex de la Iglesia and producer Carolina Bang, is also marking its 10th anniversary.
Over the past ten years, Pokeepsie has quietly established itself as a distinctive hub for Spanish artistic talent. This recognition was further bolstered in 2022 when multinational entertainment company Banijay provided financial backing to support Pokeepsie’s ambitious portfolio of films and television series.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride as we wrap up our 10th anniversary year by unveiling these three outstanding premieres. Unforeseen circumstances have made 2024 a truly exceptional year for us, culminating in a remarkable close that underscores our persistent drive for innovation and reaffirms our dedication to crafting productions that resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
Collectively, the three recent December premieres reflect our production house as a hub where both seasoned and emerging artists can develop their unique ideas, appealing to viewers at the same time. We offer a platform for fresh and experienced writers and directors who work in various genres, ranging from thrillers, horror, to comedy.
According to De la Iglesia, what truly sets us apart is our intense enthusiasm for cinema. At Pokeepsie, we not only do our jobs but infuse each aspect of it with a deep-rooted passion for the art of filmmaking.
Pokeepsie is additionally responsible for The Fear Collection, a line of horror series distributed globally, with support from Sony Pictures and Amazon Prime Video. This project boasts the participation of esteemed figures such as Jaume Balagueró, director of the film Venus, and Jorge Guerricaechevaría, a frequent collaborator of de la Iglesia on screenplays like Venicefrenia, among others.
In terms of our projects,” De la Iglesia notes, “we take great pride in our adaptability. Our forthcoming releases demonstrate this wide range.
Kicking off the trio of December streaming releases was the debut on Netflix on December 13th, of the newest murder mystery thriller series by De la Iglesia titled “1992”. The plot revolves around a string of enigmatic murders, all ending with the charred remains of the victim and a peculiar doll named Curro, the legendary mascot from the 1992 Expo in Seville, left at each crime scene. This is no ordinary doll.
Supporters of the unique filmmaking approach by Alejandro Amenábar, who often mixes dark humor with tension and the fantastical, will likely enjoy the nostalgic nod to the 1990s, a period when the director gained prominence with films such as “Day of the Beast” (1995) and “Perdita Durango” (1997). More recently, his work has reached broader international audiences through streaming platforms like HBO Max series “30 Coins” (30 Monedas).
Following on Pokeepsie’s December schedule is the science fiction series “Sanctuary (Santuario)”, airing from December 22nd on Spanish streaming platform atresplayer. This show shares similarities with the popular series “The Handmaid’s Tale”, and it unfolds in a post-apocalyptic setting where women are required to live out their pregnancies together within a climate-regulated dome. Despite being told that this dome is for their safety, they gradually uncover that this might not be the entire truth.
De la Iglesia emphasizes that one of our fundamental goals is to provide opportunities for fresh filmmaking talent and support daring, groundbreaking productions. The film Santuario exemplifies this dedication.
The series, titled similarly to a well-known local podcast, serves as its adaptation. Consisting of 8 episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long, it is helmed by directors Rodrigo Ruiz-Gallardón and Zoe Berriatúa. These two talented individuals have been nurtured in-house; Berriatúa honing her skills as a writer and director for past Pokeepsie productions like “The Heroes of Evil” and “En las Estrellas”, while Ruiz-Gallardón has directed HBO’s “Headless Chickens (Pollos Sin Cabeza)”. Aura Garrido and Lucía Guerrero take the lead roles.
To wrap things up, on December 27th, Amazon Prime will unveil the long-awaited sequel to the YA rom-drama, “Your Fault” (originally titled “Culpa Tuya”), directed by Domingo González. This film is the second installment in the highly successful Culpable trilogy, based on Mercedes Ron’s best-selling series. The prequel, “My Fault” (or “Culpa Mía”), holds the title as Prime Video’s biggest non-English language debut and was among the top 10 most watched titles in 190 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, India, Argentina, and France. The third installment, “Our Fault” (or “Culpa Nuestra”), has already been filmed as well.
For the year 2025, Bang and de la Iglesia have several intriguing projects under development that they are currently keeping secret. Among their upcoming releases is the feature film “The Muertimer (Los Muértimer)”, a collaboration with Telecinco Cinema directed by Álvaro Fernández Armero (1000 Miles from Christmas). This movie, set to be a blend of mystery, horror, and dark humor, is based on the successful comic trilogy of the same name by young French illustrator Léa Mazé.
In 2025, the comedy series “Entrepreneurs,” created, written, and starring renowned sketch comedy duo “Pantomima Full” (Rober Bodegas and Alberto Casado), is set to debut on Disney+, aiming to build upon the duo’s streaming success.
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2024-12-23 20:57