Principal photography has wrapped on “Drama King” (“El rey del drama”), the new Mexican dramedy produced by Nicolás Celis’ Pimienta Films (“Roma,” “Emilia Perez”) which has collaborated for the first time with Amazon MGM Studios.
It stars Diego Calva, who recently starred in Season 2 of the Colombia-set thriller series “The Night Manager,” who joins “Narcos: Mexico” star José María Yazpik and Esmeralda Pimentel (“Casi al paraiso”) with Carlos Lenin (“Vgly,” “The Dove and the Wolf”) directing.
Calva plays Rodrigo Rojas, a telenovela actor who is anxious to break away from his melodramatic roles. When a prominent film director arrives in Mexico, he jumps at the chance to make it in the movies, despite the humiliating blows to his pride.
“Drama King” is produced by Celis and Samara Ibrahim, who wrote the screenplay with Mónica Herrera, his co-writer in Lucía Puenzo’s International Emmy-winning “Dive,” starring Karla Souza.
The story asks a simple question: How far will a man go to realize his dreams? The answer plays out as a sharp, self-aware satire of fame, ambition and identity in Mexico’s entertainment industry — though it could be any industry.
The cast also includes Irene Azuela (“Bajo la sal”), Vadhir Derbez (“El mesero”), Eme Malafe (“The Huntress”), Vanessa Bauche (“Amores Perros”), Gustavo Sánchez Parra (“Amores Perros”), Alfonso Borbolla (“Sr. Avila”) and Andrés Almeida (“Y tu mama también”).
“Mexico is a country of powerful stories and exceptional talent, both in front of and behind the camera. At Amazon MGM Studios, we believe in that talent and we bet on local content that projects it to the world. Championing Mexican voices is not just a strategy — it is the essence of creating authentic stories that move audiences here and beyond our borders,” said Javiera Balmaceda, head of international originals, Latin America, Canada & Australia, Amazon MGM Studios.
She added: “’Drama King’ embodies that vision: a production made in Mexico, with a top-tier crews and cast, that reaffirms the strength of our industry. We are thrilled to begin this journey and to collaborate for the first time with Pimienta Films, responsible for stories that have left their mark both inside and outside the country.”
The new project forms part of Amazon MGM Studio’s global expansion plans, which includes premium original series, local remakes and theatrical features in Mexico. Other major projects include a Mexican remake of Ricky Gervais’ hit mockumentary series “The Office,” which debuted March 13; Amazon’s first original movie, the thriller “Vengeance” and legal thriller “El Juicio.”
“For Pimienta Films, it is an honor to collaborate with Amazon MGM Studios on a project as original as ‘Drama King.’ This film is a hilarious and deeply human satire about the search for validation in the world of entertainment. Under the direction of Carlos Lenin — one of the most vibrant voices in Mexico — and a spectacular cast, we are building a story that will not only entertain but invite reflection,” Celis remarked.
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