Viacom International Studios Pacts with Pedro & Agustín Almodóvar

Viacom International Studios (VIS) has entered into a deal with El Deseo, owned by brothers Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar, to co-develop a new TV series.

The two companies will collaborate on the 8×30-minute Mentiras Pasajeras (White Lies). El Deseo will co-develop the series with VIS under the direction of Spanish screenwriters Nerea Castro and Blanca Andres Gomez.

Created in 1985 under the direction of renowned director, producer and screenwriter Pedro Almodóvar, El Deseo has produced critically acclaimed titles such as All About My Mother and Talk to Her and, most recently, Pain and Glory, which was nominated for an Oscar this year for best foreign-language film and best actor for Antonio Banderas.

VIS is also collaborating with El Deseo, RTVE and Movistar for the new film Snow in Benidorm, written and directed by Isabel Coixet. The production began filming January 20 in Benidorm, Spain, and stars Timothy Spall, Sarita Choudhury, Carmen Machi, Ana Torrent and Pedro Casablanc.

“We are honored to have entered into this agreement with internationally distinguished production company El Deseo, which will further expand our portfolio with more world-class productions and properties,” commented Federico Cuervo, senior VP and head of Viacom International Studios. ”We look forward to working with Almodóvar and his team, and we are certain that this co-development deal will result in even more captivating content for VIS and its partners.”

Agustín Almodóvar, producer at El Deseo, said: “We very much appreciate the trust VIS has placed in us, El Deseo, as producers and are convinced the joining of forces of two companies with such high standards in this industry will yield very exciting projects in this era of high demand for quality cinematic content. We hope this first venture is the first of many more to come. We are very excited!”