Santa Evita Story:-
Executive produced by Salma Hayek Pinault and directed by Rodrigo García (“Nine Lives”), the second scene of Star Plus Productions’ “Santa Evita” introduces Dr. Pedro Aru arriving at Eva Perón’s home to embalm her corpse.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 26 July 2022 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Genre | Biography, History |
| Episodes | 7 |
| Cast | Natalia Oreiro, Diego Velázquez, Francesc Orella, Diego Cremonesi, Ernesto Alterio, Darío Grandinetti, Damián Canduci, Guillermo Arengo, Gaby Ferrero, Jenni Merla, Fedra Defendente, Julieta Vallina, Eugenia Alonso, Carolina Costas |
| Director | Rodrigo García, Alejandro Maci |
| Writer | Willy Van Broock, Pamela Rementería, Marcela Guerty |
| Cinematography | Félix Monti |
| Music | Federico Jusid |
| Producer | Leonardo Aranguibel, Fernando Barbosa, Betina Brewda, Mariana Pérez, Patricio Rabuffetti, Rodrigo García, Jose Tamez, Salma Hayek |
| Production | Buena Vista Original Productions, Non Stop, Star Original Productions |
| Certificate | 16+ |
While many directors might have depicted his arrival with brief transition shots, García takes a different approach. He uses eight shots to immerse viewers in the atmosphere of the fateful day of July 26, 1952. From capturing the rain through an aerial shot of drenched black umbrellas filling the screen, to depicting the poverty of the crowd lining the road, and framing the first hints of Perón’s near sanctification in death with crowds keeping vigil outside the house’s gates, candles in hand.
Previewed at Conecta Fiction, Episode One of “Santa Evita” falls into the category of classic Disney Latin America adult audience fare, akin to 2018’s “Selena’s Secret” and 2019’s “Monzón.”
A passion project of Mariana Pérez at The Walt Disney Company Latin America, which has been 10 years in the making, “Santa Evita” is meticulously crafted, paying attention to period and social detail, featuring varied and pointed shot set-ups, and boasting impeccable sound design.
The series also falls under the genre of “true life fiction” – a term coined by TWDCLA’s Leonardo Aranguibel, an executive producer on the series alongside Pérez. Here, the focal point is Latin America’s most famous politician, Eva Perón, embodying a perfect blend of glamor, power, charisma, and concern for Argentina’s working classes, who tragically passed away at the young age of 33.
Spanning seven parts, “Santa Evita” also tackles modern-day gender issues, recounting the stranger-than-fiction true story of how Eva Perón, even in death, was manipulated and exploited. Her corpse was mummified by her husband, President Juan Perón, to shore up his faltering grip on power, only to be seized by Argentina’s military regime following Perón’s overthrow in 1955. Her figure was both desired, vilified, and feared by members of the military regime in equal measure.
Starring Natalia Oreiro (“Yosi, the Regretful Spy”) as Eva Perón and Dario Grandinetti (“Talk To Her”) as her husband, “Santa Evita” is a co-production with Argentina’s Non Stop Studios. The series, written by Marcela Guerty and Pamela Rementaria, draws inspiration from the same-titled bestseller by Tomás Eloy Martínez and is co-directed by Argentine Alejandro Maci. Variety had the opportunity to speak with Maci just ahead of the series’ exclusive preview at Conecta Fiction on June 22, which turned out to be the TV co-production forum’s most glamorous event. The series is set to premiere on Star Plus on July 26.
How did you approach Eva Perón’s character, given her relevance even nowadays, especially in Argentina?
Eva Perón’s character is wrapped in myth, making it both untouchable and deeply resonant. Our first task was to dismantle these associations and demystify the myths surrounding her. We relied heavily on the novel written by Tomas Eloy Martinez, which served as our foundation. This involved extensive research into the period and its political context.
How did “Santa Evita” come together?
“Santa Evita” was a collaborative project between Fox and Disney, in development for several years. Mariana Pérez played a crucial role in keeping the project on track, despite its complexity. The storytelling and production were highly intricate, involving five different timeframes: 1945, marking the beginning of the story; 1952, when Eva Perón is embalmed; her youth in the 1920s and 1930s; and 1971, when a journalist named Mariano Vázquez, serving as an alter ego for Martinez, attempts to uncover the truth about her cadaver and faces death threats.
The story is part of Argentina’s history. How did you shape it for international audiences on Star Plus?
Rather than inundating the story with local details, we aimed to appeal to any audience interested in the narrative. While it is rooted in Argentine history, the themes of power dynamics and passion make it universally relatable. We focused on these universal themes in our narrative approach.
What’s appealing for you about the show?
One particularly compelling aspect is the fetishism surrounding Eva Perón, which remains relevant today. Rodrigo Garcia sought to emphasize this aspect. The series explores how Eva Perón was appropriated in a perverse manner by numerous military figures, a topic that is still part of contemporary discourse. This interpretation was not something Martinez could have foreseen when he wrote the novel in 1995, but the series allows for this contemporary lens.
Why do you think “Santa Evita” can work today?
The novel delves into themes of power, appropriation, and poverty. Eva Perón, coming from humble beginnings, rose to the highest levels of power and tragically passed away within seven years. Her rapid ascent to fame and influence, from anonymity to becoming a legend in Buenos Aires, is an extraordinary story that deserves to be told. However, it’s important to note that while the series is based on a novel, certain elements are fictional creations of Martinez.
