Pedro Almodovar’s Production Company Developing TV Series “Mentiras Pasajeras” with Viacom International Studios

Pedro Almodovarwill be spreadinglies

Viacom International Studios has set a co-development deal with El Deseo, the Spanish production company owned by the 70-year-old legendary Spanish filmmaker and his brother Agustín Almodóvar, for an eight-episode series, Mentiras Pasajeras.

Pedro Almodovar honored at MoMa Film Benefit

The companies will co-develop the series under the direction of Spanish screenwriters Nerea Castroand Blanca Andres

El Deseo, which produces both film and television projects, was formed in 1985 by Pedro Almodovar. His  latest release, Pain and Glory, earned a Best International Filmnomination and also a Best Actornod for Antonio Banderas.

“We are honored to have entered into this agreement with internationally distinguished production company, El Deseo, which will further expand our portfolio with more world-class productions and properties,” said Federico Cuervo, SVP and Head of Viacom International Studios. ”We look forward to working with Almodovar and his team, and we are certain that this co-development deal will result in even more captivating content for VIS and its partners.”

“We very much appreciate the trust VIS has placed in us, El Deseo, as producers and are convinced the joining of forces of two companies with such high standards in this industry will yield very exciting projects in this era of high demand for quality cinematic content. We hope this first venture is the first of many more to come. We are very excited! ”said Agustin Almodovar, producer of El Deseo.

The series follows a collaboration involving VIS, El Deseo, RTVE and Movistarfor the upcoming Isabel Coixet film, Snow in Benidorm. With a cast featuring Timothy SpallSarita ChoudhuryCarmen MachiAna Torrentand Pedro Casablanc, the project started filming on January 20 in Benidorm, Spain.

France’s TF1 Acquires Alex Pina’s Romantic Thriller “The Pier”

Alex Pina’s latest project is feeling the love…

France’s TF1 has acquired the Spanish television producer’s Movistar + Original The Pier, sold by Beta Film, and produced with Atresmedia Studios.

Alex Pina

Also produced by Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato’s Vancouver Media, The Pier marks the showrunner duo’s follow-up to La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), declared by Netflix to be its most watched non English-language series ever.

Alvaro Morte, the professor inLa Casa de Papel plays the male lead. Capturing a near futuristic Valencia, and the nearby Albufera National Park, an expanse of marshland and rice paddy fields, where time seems to move at another race, Pina has commented, the cinematography looks stunning.

In other ways, this is a departure, a sensual romantic thriller in which an accomplished architect (Verónica Sánchez) is confronted with the alleged suicide of her husband. Investigating on her own, she discovers the secret double-life he had led with another woman (Irene Arcos) and also her own unsuspected new depths and desires.

The main cast, co-director Jesús Colmenar and the producers will be present when The Piercelebrates its red carpet world premiere at Mipcom on Tuesday, October 16, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

“As a leading channel, TF1’s role is to create events and to work with the best talents and partners. The Pierand the work of Alex Pina meet our requirements,” said Fabrice Bailly, head of program and acquisitions, TF1 Group, who added: “After the excellent performances of ‘Good Doctor’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ on our channels this year, we are sure that ‘The Pier’ will add to our success.”

Pina and Martínez’s stylish, innovative and morally ambiguous money mint robbery thriller La Casa de Papelwas a huge hit in France. In its take on modern sexual relations, The Pieris likely to maintain their envelope-pushing on traditional morality.

The Pieris a woman’s drama, Martinez has said, where “women behave as women.”

Marc Marquez Wins Australian Grand Prix

Marc Marquez is one step closer to another MotoGP world title…

The 24-year-old Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle racer claimed a brilliant win at the Australian Grand Prix, scoring his sixth win of the season.

Marc Marquez

With the victory, Marquez, a three-time MotoGP world champion, opened up a 33-point lead on main rival Ducati Team‘s Andrea Dovizioso, who finished 13th.

The Repsol Honda star took the lead at Phillip Island with seven laps to go and never looked back.

Movistar Yamaha pair Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales finished second and third respectively.

Pole-sitter Marquez led into turn one, but Jack Miller soon made his move and was a surprise race leader on his Marc VDS Honda for nearly five laps.

A lead group of eight riders battled it out throughout the enthralling race with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Racing) Vinales and Rossi also leading at different stages.

Quintana Outlasts Alberto Contador to Win His First Tour of Catalonia Title

Nairo Quintana has added a new title to his resume…

The 26-year-old Colombian racing cyclist held onto his lead over Alberto Contador on Sunday to win the Volta a Catalunya (Tour of Catalonia) for the first time in his career.

Nairo Quintana

Quintana successfully defended his seven-second advantage over the Spaniard in Sunday’s final stage, an eight-lap ride over 136.4 kilometers (84.7 miles) up and down the Montjuic hill overlooking Barcelona.

Russian rider Aleksei Tsatevich won the seventh stage in a sprint with Primoz Roglic of Slovenia.

Quintana, currently riding for the Movistar Team, stayed close to Contador from the start on Sunday and his lead was never in jeopardy. He finished with the same seven-second gap he carried into the closing stage, becoming the third Colombian to win the race after Hernan Buenahora in 1998 and Alvaro Mejia in 1993.

Quintana took the overall lead in the Pyrenees on Thursday.

Daniel Martin of Ireland, the 2013 winner, finished third overall — 17 seconds behind Quintana.

Defending champion Richie Porte of Australia was fourth.

“It’s exciting and a point of great pride to beat such great rivals,” Quintana said. “It gives me confidence and shows that I’m on the right track going into the Tour de France. It doesn’t show that I’m ahead of anybody, but it shows that I’ve been doing a good job.”

The weeklong event in northeastern Spain attracted some of cycling’s top riders, including Tour de France champion Chris Froome, who finished eighth overall, 46 seconds behind Quintana.

Quintana’s task was made a bit more difficult because three of his Movistar teammates were ill and could not finish the race to help him.

It was the 96th edition of the Tour of Catalonia.