Amazon MGM Studios and Pimienta Films wrap first joint film ‘Drama King’
Principal photography is on “Drama King” (“El rey del drama”), the new Mexican drama series produced by Nicolás Celis’ Pimienta Films (“Roma,” “Emilia Perez”), which has collaborated for the first time with Amazon MGM Studios.
The lead roles are played by Diego Calva, who recently starred in Season 2 of the Colombia-set thriller series “The Night Manager,” joining “Narcos: Mexico” stars 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 eager to escape his melodramatic roles. When a prominent film director arrives in Mexico, he jumps at the chance to make it in theaters, despite the humiliating blows to his pride.
“Drama King” is produced by Celis and Samara Ibrahim, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mónica Herrera, his co-writer of Lucía Puenzo’s International Emmy-winning “Dive,” starring Karla Souza.
The story asks a simple question: how far will a man go to achieve his dreams? The Answer unfolds as a sharp, self-aware satire on fame, ambition and identity in the Mexican entertainment industry – even 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 and behind the camera. At Amazon MGM Studios, we believe in that talent and 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 crew and cast, that reaffirms the power of our industry. We are happy to embark on this journey and 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 is part of Amazon MGM Studio’s global expansion plans, which includes premium original series, local remakes and theatrical films 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 film, the thriller ‘Vengeance’ and the legal thriller ‘El Juicio’.
“Pimienta Films is honored 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 leadership of Carlos Lenin – one of the most vibrant voices in Mexico – and a spectacular cast, we are building a story that not only entertains, but also invites reflection,” says Celis.
