Beta Film, the leading European independent film-TV company, has picked up international sales rights to Leticia Dolera‘s family drama “Pubertat – Secrets, Lies and Human Castles,” the Spanish writer-director-actor’s follow-up to “Perfect Life,” her Canneseries wining take on adult relationships and challenged coming of age,
Structured as a six one-hour-episode series, “Pubertat” completes Beta’s line-up at the upcoming London TV Screenings, which runs Feb. 23-28.
In “Pubertat,” a Max Original series, Dolera takes a look at lost love between parents and their teenage children and how it might be rediscovered, after an alleged sexual assault that sheds light on the adults’ sexual taboos.
The series is set in a Catalan town with a long-standing tradition of building human towers, the “castells.” Declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, “castells” are not only a spectacle of local festivities but a symbol of the importance of each of its members, from the oldest to youngest.
The harmony of the close- knit community is disrupted by an accusation of sexual assault within the “castells” group. With it, not only the frailty of human relationships is revealed but also the disruptive potential of social media – within and between all generations. Almost every town and “castell” member tries to play down what is said to have happened on one crucial town festival night.
“Pubertat” is produced by Miriam Porté for Distinto Films, the Barcelona-based company behind Neus Ballús’ Locarno winner “The Odd-Job Men,” and Oriol Maymó for Doleras’ own label Corte y Confección de Películas as well as Uri Films.
Catalan public media conglom 3Cat co-produces, with the participation of Max in Spain, in addition to Belgian co-producer AT-Productions.
Alongside Dolera, the series stars “Money Heist” and “Perfect Life’s” Xavi Saez, Betsy Turnez (“Perfect Life”), Anna Alarcón (Netflix’s “Welcome to Eden”), Biel Duran (Movistar Plus+ “La Mesías”) and Vicky Peña, the star of Clara Roquet’s “Libertad,” a 2021 Cannes Critics’ Week premiere
The script has been co-written by Dolera and Almudena Monzú, with David Gallart and Manuel Burque participating respectively in plot and development.
Dolera co-wrote, lead directed and starred in Movistar Plus-HBO Max-produced TV skein “Perfect Life,” a double 2019 Canneseries winner – best series and a Special Interpretation Prize shared by Dolera, Celia Freijeiro and Aixa Villagrán – among other plaudits.
“During puberty, the discovery of our sexuality and the natural changes in our bodies affect us deeply and make us vulnerable. We live in a society that pornifies and objectifies everything, while sex remains a taboo. How do teenagers navigate their sexuality in this context? And what about adults? This show was born from these questions and from a desire to pose them as a community,” Dolera explained.
“Set against the iconic ‘castells’ festivals in Catalonia, ‘Pubertat’ delves into complex questions of guilt, innocence and generational secrets. With universal themes of truth, power and tradition, the show’s rich cultural backdrop and intense narrative make it perfect for international audiences, resonating far beyond its local setting,” said Peter Lohner, Beta Film VP acquisitions Hispanic & international.
The series has won the support of ICEC, Catalonia’s cultural industry agency, the Creative Europe MEDIA program and the Eurimages Pilot Program for Series Co-Productions.
