Aida the Movie, a feature-length spin-off of the hugely successful Spanish TV series Aida, will cross the Atlantic next year, an unusual move for a Spanish comedy.
Wiesner Distribution, celebrating its 25th anniversary as a leading distributor of Ibero-American films, will release the ensemble comedy on February 6th in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Central American countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama. Outsider Pictures, directed by Paul Hudson, is partnering with Wiesner for a U.S. release.
This follows a January 30 Spanish theatrical release by Sony Pictures Entertainment Iberia.
Directed by Spain’s Paco León, who began his storied career in film and television with comedy gems such as Carmina, Kiki, Love to Love and the Aida series, the comedy reunites León with his original co-stars from the sitcom, including Carmen Maci, Mirén Ibarguren, Mariano Peña, Eduardo Casanova, Pepe Viuela and Melani. Olivares, Canco Rodriguez, Secun de la Rosa, David Castillo, Marisol Ayuso, Pepa Luz, Oscar Reyes, Adrian Gordillo. They will be joined by 96 actors selected through an open casting call on the film’s Instagram account.
“Aida the Movie” tells the story of Aida, a divorcee who struggles to make ends meet while raising her teenage children in the fictional Esperanza Sur neighborhood of Madrid. This large-scale ensemble series aired on the Spanish broadcast network Telecinco from 2005 to 2014 and became a cult classic, helping to launch the international careers of its lead actors.
The film has been described as “a fusion of fiction and meta-cinematic storytelling.” It takes place during the production of the series’ episodes, which ironically blur the lines between actors and characters on and off screen, exploring themes such as the limits of humor, the power of comedians, and the complexities of fame.
Outsider Pictures and Wiesner Distribution have frequently partnered on U.S. theatrical releases, most recently on Gerardo Herrero’s drama “Under Therapy.” Upcoming releases include “The Condor’s Daughter,” which premiered at TIFF and closed this month at Ventana Sur.
“‘Aida’ is a beloved cultural phenomenon that became a TV blockbuster in Spain. We are excited to bring ‘Aida the Movie’ to American audiences and share a story of humor built on heart and authenticity that connects effortlessly across cultures,” said Cynthia Wiesner, Founder and President of Wiesner Distribution.
The picture was produced by Globomedia and Telecinco Cinema, part of The Mediapro Studio, with the participation of Mediaset España and Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group.
Leon, whose international credits include “The Unbearable Weight of Talent,” starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal, and Machi, whose credits include blockbuster “Fast and Furious” and Pedro Almodovar’s “I’m So Excited,” will attend the comedy’s Miami premiere on February 5 next year.
