YAKARTA, which has just wrapped filming, revolves around Joserra, a world-weary physical education teacher – and former Olympian badminton player – meets an extraordinarily talented teenager that will change the course of his life
Carla Quílez brings the female lead to life in this series co-directed by Elena Trapé, Javier Cámara himself and Fernando Hierro-Delgado, who also cowrote the screenplay with Diego San José and Daniel Castro
On the heels of the success of Celeste, universally acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Diego San José, as creator, and Elena Trapé as director once again join forces, on this occasion with Javier Cámara as protagonist in YAKARTA, the new Movistar Plus+ original series produced by 100 Balas (THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO), which also produced Celeste, in association with Buendía Estudios Canarias.
The series is executive produced by Fran Araújo, on behalf of Movistar Plus+, and Laura Fernandez Espeso, Javier Mendez, Alejandro Flórez and Diego San José for 100 Balas (THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO).
Diego San José once again takes the helm in the writers’ room for YAKARTA, reunited with Daniel Castro and joined by Fernando Delgado-Hierro, who in addition, is responsible for directing several episodes together with Elena Trapé and Javier Cámara, who is no stranger to the director’s chair on previous series including Rapa and Vote for Juan.
Costarring Javier Cámara (Rapa, Vote for Juan trilogy) and Carla Quílez (La Maternal, Las Niñas), the cast is completed by David Lorente (I Don’t Like Driving, 4 estrellas); Pilar Gómez (Poquita fe, Arde Madrid), Marina Guerola (Glimmers) and Anna Alarcón (The New Years, The Offering).
Diego San José:
“After doing a series based around the IRS, it almost seemed impossible to find an even grayer world for the basis of trying to create a story. But, then I remembered that there is such a thing as regional badminton tournaments. Championships played out in ugly sports centers, without hardly any supporters in the stands and held in cities like Totana, Ponferrada or Torrelavega. Seeing as I’m from Irún, I have a passion for provincial cities. I love them because they’re all the same, and they make me feel at home. YAKARTA is a story that champions that quietly charming and down-to-earth Spain, where nothing out of the ordinary ever really happens. And that’s what our two protagonists are a bit like, two provincial cities because they are unpretentious, and nothing special ever really happen to them. I like unassuming people. They give me peace; they calm me down. This series is our tribute to all those people who seem to lose even when they win.”
Javier Cámara:
“I’ve worked with Elena and Diego on different projects, but this is the first time that all three of us are working together. And we’re happy. Diego as creator and executive producer; Elena in the director’s chair (she allowed me to direct episode 4) and I, as an actor. We’re all aware that this is a highly challenging and exciting endeavor. Playing these two characters, Joserra and Mar (played by Carla Quílez, who is brilliant and talented) in YAKARTA is a challenge that brings me joy every day. On the first day of filming, the actor who joined me on the set asked: ‘Is today the first day of filming? This crew seem to have been shooting for several months’. The project is more personal than ever, supported by a crew who from the very get-go recognized from the scripts that there’s a story to be told here”.
Elena Trapé:
“I heard about YAKARTA over lunch one day with Diego and Javier while we were filming ‘Celeste’. At that time they were putting the finishing touches to the project, but it already contained two really attractive elements: Diego as creator, with whom I have forged a wonderful working relationship, and Javi as protagonist, an incredible actor I had the opportunity to work with on season one of ‘Rapa’. When they suggested I join the cast a few months later, that was a real gift. I was drawn to the project because it was a story about characters, where once again, casting was going to be the most important element. Our protagonists; an adult man and a teenage girl, share common ground when it comes to badminton. But, above all, they share the wounds of abandonment, of failure, of having nowhere to go, of being orphaned of affection.”
Locations
YAKARTA was filmed on location in the Community of Madrid: Madrid city center, Vallecas, Chamberí, Rivas, Moratalaz, Collado Villalba, Pinto, Torres de la Alameda, Fuenlabrada, Alcalá de Henares, San Martín de la Vega, Cobeña, Alcorcón and Morata de Tajuña; as well as Toledo (Santa Olalla) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Storyline
José Ramón Garrido is a former Olympic badminton player who etches out a living by teaching physical education at a public high school in Vallecas. Divorced and bereft of hope, at a high school badminton tournament Joserra believes he has discovered the diamond in the rough that could turn his life around. Mar, a teenage badminton player who just might be his ticket to fulfilling his dream of competing in Jakarta, the city where former players like himself are revered like stars. But Jakarta is a long way off, especially for two complete outsiders like Joserra and Mar. Together they will have to learn to endure each other’s quirks to embark on a journey packed with dingy accommodation, sports centers that have seen better days and service stations along the route through towns like Totana, Ponferrada, Torrelavega and Tardajos before reaching the Indonesian capital. That is, if they ever make it…
Tech specs
Created by Diego San José
Executive producers: Fran Araújo (Movistar Plus+), Laura Fernandez Espeso, Javier Mendez, Alejandro Flórez and Diego San José (THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO)
Screenplay: Diego San José, Daniel Castro and Fernando Delgado-Hierro
Directed by: Elena Trapé, Fernando Delgado-Hierro and Javier Cámara
Cast: Javier Cámara, Carla Quílez, David Lorente, Pilar Gómez, Marina Guerola and Anna Alarcón, among others
Cinematography: Rita Noriega
Editing: Javi Frutos and Carolina Martínez
Sound: Óscar Barros
Costume design: Marta Murillo
Make-up and hairstyling: Haridian Nobrega and Elias Díez
International distribution: The Mediapro Studio Distribution
Format: 6 x 30 minute
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