‘Mariliendre,’ Spain’s LGBT Series Answer to ‘La La Land,’ Brings Musical Drama to the Málaga Festival
variety.comJamie Lang As the highly anticipated Spanish musical show “Mariliendre” gears up for this week’s world premiere at the Málaga Film Festival, screening at France’s Series Mania and an April 27 debut on Atresplayer, Variety sat down with the show’s creator and director, Javier Ferreiro, to discuss his debut series.
A six-episode musical dramedy, Mariliendre – produced by Spain’s hottest filmmaking duo Los Javis (Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi) at Suma Content (“Veneno,” “La Mesías”) – explores themes of friendship, LGBTQ+ culture, body positivity and the power of music in shaping identity.
Set in Chueca, one of the most vibrant and gay neighborhoods in the Spanish capital and likely the world, “Mariliendre” – a common Spanish nickname for the woman best friend of a gay man or group of gay men – follows Meri Román, a former queen of Madrid’s gay nightlife.
Now, at 35 years old, those days of recognition are in the review mirror for Meri, a dethroned diva who can’t let go of the past and is bored by her mundane present.
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