Lara vs. Escobar Feature Doc from Banijay Rights & Scenery

Banijay Rights has aligned with the Banijay Benelux joint venture Scenery on Lara vs. Escobar, a feature documentary recounting the reconciliation story behind Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar’s most famous assassination.

Lara vs. Escobar, from BAFTA- and Emmy Award-winning director Mags Gavan, delves into the investigation of the 1984 Escobar-backed murder of Colombia’s Minister of Justice Rodrigo Lara as seen through the eyes of the politician’s son, Jorge Lara.

Simon Cox, executive VP of content acquisitions at Banijay Rights, said: “Our expansion into the premium feature documentary space is led by this extraordinary modern-day story as told by Scenery and amazing director Mags Gavan‚ and with no hesitation, we decided to take this gripping project to market. Escobar vs. Lara is a reconciliation tale like no other, bringing two of the unlikeliest of friends together to find common ground, with a plot as powerful as some of the world’s best dramas. We’re excited to present this project to our potential partners at MIPCOM next week.”

Gavan said: “This film was a passion project I knew I had to make. I dedicated over a decade to getting access to this important story. I started the most inspiring journey, which also took me through the worst tragedy whilst developing this film. It’s going to take the audience on the same emotional rollercoaster but hopefully leave them in a better, more hopeful place.”

Lea Fels, partner at Scenery, said: “The combination of this special project, the collaboration with Mags Gavan and this unique story that we want to bring to a worldwide audience fits seamlessly with Scenery’s portfolio. We are therefore very proud that Mags entrusted us to start this project with her.”