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Created by Manolo Caro, “Snakes and Ladders”(Original title: Serpientes y Escaleras) takes a simple but zany premise and runs with it like nobody has done before. Vividly catchy and eclectically wild, the Mexican comedy on Netflix has a predisposition to go haywire. It leans on that wild side without completely going off the rails. That, and some terrific lead performances (Especially Cecilia Suarez), make the eight-episode series a breezy affair. At the heart of the show lies Cecilia Suarez’s Dora and her dream to become the headmistress of the local school. That dream, punctuated with occasional weird turns of luck, takes her through a journey of world diplomacy, drugs, and an undying quest for power.

Let us recap the events and what the future holds for the series.

Snakes and Ladders Netflix Recap:

The story starts with an extremely cute schoolyard fight between two eight-year-olds. Ice cream is thrown,...

Created by Manolo Caro, “Snakes and Ladders”(Original title: Serpientes y Escaleras) takes a simple but zany premise and runs with it like nobody has done before. Vividly catchy and eclectically wild, the Mexican comedy on Netflix has a predisposition to go haywire. It leans on that wild side without completely going off the rails. That, and some terrific lead performances (Especially Cecilia Suarez), make the eight-episode series a breezy affair. At the heart of the show lies Cecilia Suarez’s Dora and her dream to become the headmistress of the local school. That dream, punctuated with occasional weird turns of luck, takes her through a journey of world diplomacy, drugs, and an undying quest for power.

Let us recap the events and what the future holds for the series.

Snakes and Ladders Netflix Recap:

The story starts with an extremely cute schoolyard fight between two eight-year-olds. Ice cream is thrown,...

The moment you bring up a genre like dark comedy, you’ve opened yourself up for some easy criticism. This was not satirical enough, it wasn’t comical enough. What was so dark about it? That’s the kind of thing you can expect to hear when you bring up the subject. But putting all of that aside, the most important aspect of TV has to be its entertainment factor, and in all honesty, I’m left genuinely confused after watching the 8-episode Mexican series Snakes and Ladders. As the title suggests, the show is about ambition, backstabbing, corruption, betrayal, and anything else considered remotely immoral in human beings. It’s a show that defines the contradictions of human nature. The show follows an innocent woman named Dora, who finds herself in a predicament when she launches herself into a campaign to become the headmistress of the school where she works.

Cecilia Suárez protagoniza esta historia de ambición, poder y gloria. © Netflix

Netflix ha compartido el primer tráiler y póster de Serpientes y escaleras, la nueva serie del director mexicano Manolo Caro tras el éxito de La casa de las flores y Alguien tiene que morir.

Rodada en Guadalajara, Serpientes y escaleras nos presenta a Dora López, una maestra de un colegio de renombre que se ve envuelta en una disputa entre dos alumnos de 8 años. Lo que parecería un incidente sin importancia amenaza con poner en peligro su sueño de toda la vida de convertirse en directora del colegio al desatar un conflicto entre dos de las familias más poderosas del estado.

La serie está protagonizada por Cecilia Suárez, una habitual del universo Caro, acompañada de Juan Pablo Medina, Martiño Rivas, Marimar Vega, Benny Emmanuel, Loreto Peralta, Michelle Rodríguez, Alfredo Gatica, Germán Bracco, Gerardo Trejoluna y Luis Felipe Tovar, y...

"They're manipulating you. It's all to see whose is bigger." Netflix has unveiled the trailer for a streaming series called Snakes and Ladders, yet another fascinating board game adaptation. Though this one has a unique spin. From the creator of The House of Flowers series, Manolo Caro & Cecilia Suárez return with Snakes and Ladders – a dark and provocative comedy that explores the cost of power and status. Filmed in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ambitious but overlooked teacher Dora López has one goal in mind: to become the principal of a prestigious school in Jalisco. Her dream is jeopardized when a playground fight entangles two of the state’s most powerful families. To stay on track, Dora must maneuver the situation to her advantage. Even if it means bending her ethics. Starring Cecilia Suárez as Dora, Juan Pablo Medina, Marimar Vega, Michelle Rodríguez, Benny Emmanuel, Loreto Peralta, Germán Bracco, Martiño Rivas, Luis Felipe Tovar,...

Pact of Silence Netflix Drama(Photo Credit –Netflix)

Netflix has a knack for keeping audiences glued to their screens with its latest releases, and 2025 is already shaping up to be no exception. One show, in particular, has captured the spotlight, the name being, Pact of Silence.

With a strong Rotten Tomatoes rating of 71%, the series has sparked a wave of excitement, leaving fans eager for a second season.

A Story of Survival and Revenge

At the heart of this gripping Mexican drama is Brenda Rey, portrayed by Camila Valero. Her journey is one of resilience and transformation after getting abandoned at birth and left to fend for herself on the streets of Mexico.

She rises to fame as a social media influencer against all odds but beneath the glitz and glamour, a thirst for vengeance fuels her every move. The show, directed by Carlos Villegas Rosales and penned by José Vicente Spataro,...

Netflix's new Mexican sitcom, Welcome to the Family, has a star-studded ensemble anchored by incredible performances from familiar faces like Marimar Vega and Erika Buenfil. 

The eight-episode comedy series follows the story of Cristina, a struggling single mother, who teams up with her father's wife, Luciana, to hide the body of her dead father and change his will to deceive a crime-ridden mafia in taking control of their house. 

Welcome to the Family premiered on Netflix on March 12. 

Read full article on The Direct.

Spanish Salon

SkyShowtime has announced that production is underway for its new comedy series “Nails,” its third original series commissioned in Spain.

“Nails” tells the story of four women from distinct backgrounds and ages who meet regularly at a nail salon, leading to a transformative friendship. The quartet is overwhelmed by societal pressures to be “perfect,” which prompts them to question their lives and identities. As they grapple with chronic stress, they decide to rebel against their circumstances, which causes an emotional upheaval in their families. This rebellion culminates in the formation of The Free Women’s Club, a safe space aimed at helping other women navigate their challenges.

The show, filmed between Madrid and Bilbao, features an ensemble cast including Cristina Castaño (“Toy Boy”), Marimar Vega (“Las trampas del deseo”), Gracia Olayo (“La Mesías”), Teresa Cuesta (“Machos Alfa”), Fernando Tejero (“La que se avecina”), Javier Antón (“Vaya semanita”), Juanjo Cucalón...

Gracia Olayo y Fernando Tejero entre el reparto estelar de la comedia. © SkyShowtime

Arranca el rodaje entre Madrid y Bilbao de Nails, la tercera serie española 100% original de SkyShowtime, creada por Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor, quien también ejerce como guionista y directora.

Nails cuenta la historia de cuatro mujeres de diferentes estratos sociales y edades que se conocen en un salón de manicura. Sus repetidos encuentros darán lugar a una curiosa amistad que las hará cómplices, hasta el punto de tomar la decisión más importante de sus vidas: dar un paso adelante y volver a ser mujeres como las de antes. Lina, Vanessa, Irene y Marilís son mujeres sometidas a un estrés crónico en su afán de cumplir todos los requisitos exigidos hoy para ser “perfectas”. Representan la feminidad de hoy. Pero, ¿qué ha pasado con su capacidad de elegir? ¿Son víctimas de lo que se espera de ellas? Estas...

SkyShowtime is polishing up another original, this time a comedy out of Spain. Nails will follow four women from different backgrounds who regularly meet up in a local nail bar. Cameras are rolling on the series.

Federation Spain is on production duty, making the comedy in association with SkyShowtime and with the collaboration of Telemundo Studios. The series was created by Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor. She also writes and directs.

The four female protagonists in Nails rebel against society’s expectations of them with consequences for themselves and family and friends.

“They will be shaken by a decision that will turn their lives upside down, leading to the spontaneous creation of ‘The Free Women’s Club’, a safe space and sisterhood intended to help other women solve their problems,” reads the logline.

Nails will be shot between the Spanish cities of Madrid and Bilbao. The cast includes Cristina Castaño (Toy...

One of Netflix's top shows at the moment is the Mexican drama series The Accident. Many people are calling it one of the saddest shows they've ever watched, which given the plot, makes sense. It's a 10-part series revolving around the aftermath of a children's birthday party gone wrong. When a gush of wind sweeps up a bouncy house filled with kids at a birthday party, it causes the death of three children. This tragic accident changes the lives of a close-knit community forever.

Klych López and Gracia Querejeta directed the episodes for the show from scripts written by Leonardo Padrón. You might recognize some of the cast from previous projects, such as Alberto Guerra, who is best known for starring as Darío Sepúlveda in the Netflix crime drama series Griselda. Ana Claudia Talancón, Sebastian Martínez, Eréndira Ibarra, Shaní Lozano, Silverio Palacios, Erick Elías, Erik Hayser, Valentina Acosta, Macarena García Romero,...

The Netflix drama series Pact of Silence features a cast of established actors who bring to life a number of compelling characters. In this fast-paced telenovela, Brenda Ray was abandoned as a baby by four private school students. After becoming a wealthy social media influencer, she decides to bring vengeance against the four women responsible for her traumas and determine which one is her mother. The show was released in October 2023, and joins other great Spanish language shows on Netflix that have gained a massive audience on the streaming site.

Like many great telenovelas, Pact of Silence includes twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The show keeps the question of Brenda's mother going until it has no choice but to reveal her identity. Moreover, every character is well-developed and plays a role in the plot. Multiple fantastic telenovela actresses and actors help bring the...

Pact of Silence (Pacto de Silencio) is a Mexican drama series that premiered on Netflix on October 11, 2023. It is produced by Mar Abierto Productions and stars Camila Valero, Marimar Vega, Rodolfo Salas, and Rubén Zamora.

The series follows the story of Olivia, a successful social media influencer who was abandoned at birth. Fueled by a thirst for revenge, she infiltrates the lives of four women who could be her biological mother. However, as she gets closer to the truth, she uncovers secrets that endanger her life.

Pact of Silence has been praised for its suspenseful plot, complex characters, and strong performances. It has also been noted for its exploration of themes such as abandonment, revenge, and identity.

Release Date

October 11, 2023

Where to Watch Pact of Silence

Netflix

The post “Pact of Silence” (2023) | Netflix Series, October 11th appeared first on Martin Cid Magazine.

Exclusive: Vix has begun production on 7 new original titles during the second quarter of the year including 6 series and one film. They include the Sofia Vergara-led Koati: Animated Series and the Benicio del Toro-produced film Matar Al Jockey (Kill The Jockey).

“With these 7 new productions we continue to increase our original content offerings on Vix, with stories that appeal to the diverse tastes of our audiences,” said Rodrigo Mazón, Chief Content Officer ViX for TelevisaUnivision, in a statement. “Since the launch, we have been working on a path of constant development and production that we know today strongly reflects and resonates with the audience’s preferences and generates great successes in our service,” he added.

Matar Al Jockey (Kill The Jockey) follows Remo Manfredini, a legend in the world of turf racing whose self-destructive behavior overshadows his great talent. Abril, an up-and-coming jockey, is pregnant by Remo and...

Signalling Mexican giant exhibitor-distributor Cinépolis’ gradual return to producing since the pandemic, the company has partnered once more with producer Javier González-Rubio of Invicta Films, here on film critic Hugo Lara’s second feature, “Serendipia” (“Serendipity”).

“We are excited to be embarking on this new journey with Invicta Films and strengthening our partnership. ‘Serendipia’ is a captivating story that will touch the hearts of audiences around the world and with it, Cinépolis proves once again our commitment to Mexican cinema,” said executive producer Miguel Rivera, VP global programming and content, Cinépolis.

“We look forward to working again with our friends at Cinépolis as ‘Serendipia’ will reinforce our successful partnership with them,” concurred González-Rubio, who is attending the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Cinepolis co-produced and distributed Invicta Films’ “Exorcismo de Carmen Farias” (“The Exorcism of Carmen Farias”) by Rodrigo Fiallega.Despite pandemic protocols limiting cinemas to 50 capacity, the horror thriller was...

Exclusive: Latin Grammy winner and actress Alejandra Guzman (Una familia con suerte), Laura Leon (Dos mujeres un camino) and Cristián de la Fuente (Amor bravio) have joined the season 2 cast of Pantaya’s hit Spanish-language scripted series El Juego de Las Llaves (The Game of Keys). Also joining the ensemble cast are Barbara Lopez Michelle Rodriguez and Gustavo Egelhaaf. El Juego de las Llaves streams on Pantaya, a Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group joint venture, in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and internationally via Amazon Prime Video.

El Juego de las Llaves is a provocative half-hour Spanish-language scripted series that follows four long-lasting couples and friends who decide to swing, and are left to face the impact of their decisions in the comedic aftermath. The all-star cast includes Maite Perroni, Sebastián Zurita, Marimar Vega, Horacio Pancheri,...

Spanish language premium streaming service, Pantaya, has released the official trailer for their upcoming comedy series De Brutas, Nada.

Based in contemporary Mexico City, this crossover series focuses on a group of six sophisticated close friends that navigate through every life experience imaginable together: love, lies, heartbreak, marriage, divorce, kids, career, job loss, fights, break-ups, and unbreakable friendships.

The series stars Tessa Ía (Narcos), Christian Vázquez (Drunk History Mexico), Marimar Vega (El Juego De Las Llaves), Diana Bovio (Cindy LA Regia), Carolina Ramírez (The Queen Of Flow), Oswaldo Zárate (Run Coyote Run), José Pablo Minor (Los Espookys), and Julián Román (El SEÑOR De Los Cielos).

Also in trailers –

The nine-episode series premieres on Pantaya on September 24, 2020 and will be available to binge in full on October 8, 2020. You can stream Pantaya exclusively in the U.S. and Puerto Rico by downloading the app on your mobile phone or at http://www.

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The 15:17 to Paris [my review]

Dorothy Blyskal wrote the script for this docudrama about three young American men who thwarted a terrorist attack on a European train. (male director)

Fifty Shades Freed [my review]

Dakota Johnson costars as a newly married woman whose husband uses his fear over her stalker as an excuse to control her every move. (male writer and director)

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The Female Brain [IMDb]

Whitney Cummings directs, costars, and cowrites with Louann Brizendine (and another male cowriter) a ensemble romantic comedy about why women trip themselves up with men. Also costarring Sofia Vergara, Jane Seymour, and Beanie Feldstein.

Becks [IMDb] pictured

Lena Hall stars in a musical drama about a singer/songwriter who moves back to her hometown after a bad breakup. Codirected by Elizabeth Rohrbaugh, and cowritten by Rohrbaugh and Rebecca Drysdale (and another male cowriter).

FourPlay [IMDb]

Tammy Blanchard and Emanuela Galliussi costar in an ensemble romantic dramedy. Cowritten by Galliussi.

Actor Ryan Carnes (“Desperate Housewives,” “General Hospital”) didn’t have to pretend to be a fish-out-water in Mexico City in the bilingual comedy, La Boda De Valentina. He experienced a similar journey as the character he plays on screen in the Mexican comedy. Acting opposite Marimar Vega and Omar Chaparro, the non-Spanish speaker was in for a big surprise when he landed in Mexico and found out the Mexican comedy was 90% in Spanish.

Every year in November in Los Cabos, one of the most beautiful places in Mexico, 14,000 attendees, 450 industry professionals, and national and international media join together to celebrate film.

This year the Hurricane Odile took out Los Cabos and we feared for the festival. However, it has survived and its third edition, renamed from “Baja International Film Festival, Los Cabos” to “ Los Cabos International Film Festival ” has added three new sections.

You will find me there for this third edition November 12 – 16, where the Mexican film industry, its cultural and commercial partners in North America meet with invited guests to watch and discuss the best in cinema today.

Read more about its 2014 Official Selection program here. Nine films are in Competition from Mexico, U.S. and Canada, competing for Usd $15,000 cash, six Mexican productions – the first or second film by directors will compete for Usd $15,000 in the Mexico First Section.

The Festival’s three new sections to be presented in its Third Edition are Green Perspective, B-Side and Sunset.

Green Perspective is a section that present stories that generate awareness and force us to reflect on our responsibilities with the environment and the urgent need to create a harmonious coexistence among all the links part of this planet. The films in this new section are:

• “Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story” by Grant Baldwin. (Canada– Latin American Premiere).

• “México Pelágico” (“Deep-Sea Mexico”) by Jerónimo Prieto (Mexico, 2014).

• “ThuleTuvalu” by Matthias von Gunten (Switzerland- Latin American Premiere).

The theater chain, Cinemex will present this as part of the Festival’s Free Outdoor Screenings Program to be held at Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo.

The Festival also launches, B Side, showcasing the best films portraying music, providing both sonorous and visual enjoyment. The three films presented this year are:

• “20,000 Days on Earth” by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard (U.K. – Mexican Premiere). After its Sundance 2014 premiere, Hanway picked it up for international sales and has sold it to Drafthouse Films for U.S. as well as to Benelux (Remain In Light Belgium), Brazil (Zeta Filmes), Denmark (Camera Film A/S), Norway (Tour De Force As), Poland (Gutek Film Ltd), Spain (Avalon Distribucion Audiovisual), Sweden (Nonstop Entertainment Ab), U.K. ( Picturehouse Cinemas Ltd/ Picturehouse Entertainment).

• “For Those About To Rock: The Story of Rodrigo y Gabriela” by Alejandro Franco Fernández (Mexico– Latin American Premiere).

• “God Help the Girl” by Stuart Murdoch (U.K.– Mexican Premiere).

This film also premiered at Sundance and is also repped by Hanway and has sold to Amplify (Los Angeles) for the U.S. and to So. Korea (Challan), Spain (Avalon Distribucion Audiovisual), Taiwan ( Atom Cinema).

The third new section, Sunset, intends to provoke with genres of horror, science fiction and black comedy.

“Over Your Dead Body” by Takashi Miike (Japan – Latin American Premiere) premiered at Pusan Film Festival and is being sold internationally by Celluloid Dreams and Mongrel Media. “Spring” by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (U.S.A. – Mexican Premiere) presented in collaboration with Morbido Fest. Xyz both produced and is the international sales agent for this film which will debut at this year’s American Filkm Market. “What We Do in the Shadows” by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (New Zealand, U.S. – Latin American Premiere) also premiered in Sundance and played in Midnight Madness at Tiff. Elle Driver picked it up at its Sundance premiere and has licensed the film to Unison Films for U.S., Australia (Madman Entertainment), Germany (Weltkino Filmverleih Gmbh), Japan (Shochiku Co., Ltd), Russia (Volgafilm), Sweden (Njutafilms), U.K. ( Metrodome Distribution). Within the framework of the second Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund, that supports Mexican filmmakers’ projects in development and in post, the Festival is honoring Gabriel Figueroa, one of the greatest filmmakers of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In collaboration with photographer Gabriel Figueroa Flores, keeper and film restorer of his father's legacy, the photo exhibition "Homage to Gabriel Figueroa" will be presented, highlighting the work of the cinematographer in several foreign productions filmed in Mexico, including "The Pearl" (1945), "The Fugitive" (1947) and "The Night of the Iguana" (1962).

Los Cabos Film Festival is proud to have as guests, prominent Mexican celebrities who will get together at the red carpets and the Festival events, including Guillermo Arriaga, Ilse Salas, Tenoch Huerta, Sofía Espinosa, Sophie Alexander Katz, Marimar Vega, Luis Ernesto Franco, Erick Elias, Eiza González, Dolores Heredia, Maya Zapata, Chema Yazpik, Patricia Garza, Irene Azuela, Natalia Lafourcade, Tessa Ia, among others.

Among international celebrities confirmed to date are Atom Egoyan (Canada), Denys Arcand (Quebec), Xavier Dolan (Quebec), Frank Grillo (USA), DJ Cotrona (USA), Leonor Varela (Chile), Natalia Tena (UK), Eric Bruneau (Quebec), Sarai Givaty (Israel) and Rich

The Festival will give away 7,000 tickets for Cinemex screenings and 500 tickets for the Opening Gala, 500 tickets for Xavier Dolan’s “Mommy”’s Gala and 500 tickets for “Words with God”’s Gala, and 800 tickets for the Closing Gala.

As part of its commitment to Los Cabos, the Festival will donate to the Municipal Dif (National System for Integral Family Development) 8% of total sales. To promote social support and the provision of services that contribute to the protection, care and improvement of vulnerable groups.

American actress Rosario Dawson will present the Latin American Premier of Atom Egoyan’s “ The Captive” (2014), and will have the honor to grant the Tribute Award to Mr. Egoyan. Dawson plays a detective in the film by the Canadian Director, investigating Cassandra’s case that was abruptly kidnapped; this begins a horrifying race against time where the detective herself must play her part in unraveling the mystery of her disappearance and freeing her from captivity.

Its press conference in Mexico City on October 31st, more details will be announced.

Come And See What The Neighbors Are Doing Mexico, USA and Canada showcase their best films to the world.

Director: Michel Franco Writer: Michel Franco Starring: Dario Yazbek Bernal, Marimar Vega, Chema Torre Allow me to begin by stating that one of the greatest traits of Daniel & Ana is its ability to shock an unsuspecting viewer. I will attempt to keep the following review as ambiguous as I can, but Michel Franco's debut feature functions most effectively if the viewer does not know anything about the plot. But, before you stop reading, please be forewarned that Daniel & Ana is an emotionally tragic tale, one that cinema-goers might not care to willingly digest. It's not quite as violent as Irreversible, but promises to be equally psychologically challenging for the audience. But like Irreversible, the strength of Daniel & Ana is the before and after specifically the cinematic tone and the actors' performances. Ok, now that you have been forewarned you can either scurry off to the nearest art house cinema...

• One of the more enjoyable discoveries in covering a film festival is the uncovering of new talent: whether it be behind or in front of the camera. At this year's Cannes, I was introduced to a foursome of directors, several actresses and a genius performance from a French speaking newcomer you'll leave an imprint on world audiences. One honorable mention I have before we commence this top ten list, are the child actors from Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon who might pop up a couple of decades from now in a leading role as an adult (we never know). Look for a grid (below) with the faces corresponding to the ranking. Apart from my pending reviews, this is the last piece Cannes coverage piece. #10. Ronald Bronstein – Actor/Director (Go Get Some Rosemary). Who knew that Ronald Bronstein (the director of Frownland) had it in him? He is the life of the Safdie bros.

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• Perhaps the most disturbing film you'll find at Cannes this year (yes more disturbing than Antichrist) is the debut film from Mexican helmer Michel Franco. Because of the added shock value and photo treatment, I expect many will make comparisons between Daniel y Ana and the work from fellow directors Carlos Reygadas and Amat Escalante. Gael Garcia Bernal's brother Dario Yazbek Bernal and television actress Marimar Vega play a pair of siblings who are part of an affluent family and who get abducted, but it is what occurs during their abduction and more specially the moment after they get released where Franco goes into some fairly difficult to watch territory. The troublesome portrait should make waves on the film festival circuit due to the subject matter (that I was unaware of 90 minutes before the screening) but its treatment. Here are some pics from the press conference at the Director's Fortnight tent.

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