By Bel Hernandez
Mama Dies. Reveals to each of her 4 daughters that they have a different papa, and in order to inherit her fortune, they each together must seek out their bio papas. OMG, what could go wrong?
Gabriela Tagliavini (How To Break Up With Your Douchebag, Ladies Night, Without Men) has spent a lot of time over the pond working with Spain’s premier hit producer, Bambú Producciones. And, the end result is the ultimate road trip taken by four sisters, who would rather spend their time doing anything but taking a long road trip in search of their fathers.
In Despite Everything (A Pesar De Todo) opens at the funeral of four sisters. Upon the death of their mother Carmen, the sisters gather to bid their farewells and nod to each other because they live separate and completely different lives and have never had close sisterly love. At the reading of the will, the sisters watch and listen to their mother’s video message where she shocks them that the man they thought was their father, was not. In fact, each of the four was fathered by different men. And, in order for each to inherit Carmen’s fortune, they must together embark on a road trip as each woman seeks out and meets her father. What could go wrong?
The sisters, Sara (Bianca Suárez), Lucia (Macarena Garcia), Sofia (Amaia Salamanca) and Claudia (Belen Cuesta), who have always barely tolerated each other’s company, cramp into a red sedan and set on a road trip of getting to know each other, self-discovery, redemption and triumph.
Latin Heat was able to pin down the super busy, award-winning writer/director, Gabriela Tagliavini to tell us about her new film.
Latin Heat: How did this movie come about?
Gabriela Tagliavini: I received the script of Despite Everything (A Pesar de Todo) and I loved it. It was an elegant blend between comedy and drama. The fantastic actress Blanca Suarez was attached and I liked her already from the Netflix show Cable Girlsproduced by the same producers of this movie, Bambu.
LH: When did the development begin?
GT: The development started in August 2018
LH: Where was it shot?
GT: It was shot in October and November 2018. So that is VERY FAST. Netflix moved really quickly.
LH: Is this part of the Netflix series with Spain?
GT: This is an original Netflix movie. It was filmed in Madrid, Spain and it will be shown in 190 countries and 148 millions of subscriptions will have the possibility to see it.
LH: You have set yourself up as the go-to female driven films, both in the US internationally. Is this planned?
GT: They say, “write about what you know.” I write and direct the movies that I’d like to see.
LH: Tell us why this film is unique?
GT: The best thing about this film are the actors. They are amazing. AND this film has a unique ending that I can’t talk about it. The audiences will have to see it to find out!
LH: What was it like to work with four of the most popular actresses in Spain and the stellar overall cast?
GT: The best thing in this movie are the actors! I was lucky to get such an amazing cast, they are all super talented.
Thank you, Gabriela!
Despite Everything / A Pesar De Todo Premieres May 3, 2019, on Netflix
Gabriela Tagliavini is repped by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ensemble Entertainment (Management), and Supersonix Media (Publicist). Her production company is Venus Films.
A Pesar De Todo
Produced by Bambu producciones for Netflix
Producers: Tersa Fernandez-Valdes and Ramon Campos
Writers: Eric Charles Wilkinson, Eugene Rhee, Helena Rhee
Screen Adaption: Teresa Fernandez-Valdes and Gabriela Tagliavini
Cinematography: Kiko de la Rica
Music: Emilio Kauderer
Cast: Blanca Suarez, Macarena Garcia, Amaia Salamanca, Belen Cuesta, Marisa Paredes, Juan Diego, Maxi Iglesias, Rossy de Palma, Carlos Bardem, Emilio Gutierrez Caba and Tito Valverde
Sara, Lucia, Sofia and Claudia are four sisters whose lives and personalities are complete opposites. After the death of their mother Carmen, the four sisters will reunite in Madrid to bid farewell to her and for a brief time, they will have to endure, get to really know each other and to forgive and accept each other in a wildly funny and at times poignant road trip as they search for their fathers.