At the official launch of Y Llegaron de Noche, a comedic original series on ViX produced by 3Pas Studios and Visceral, Eugenio Derbez, the series’ producer, director, and actor, expressed his excitement about telling stories that celebrate Latino heritage. He emphasized how streaming platforms have played a significant role in fostering the production of higher-quality content.
“When they first presented the story to me, it seemed like a compelling narrative. I wasn’t familiar with it at the time, but I soon realized it was a heartwarming tale about a group of Latinos achieving success. I knew I had to tell this story. I’m always searching for stories that portray Latinos positively, and this one is truly exceptional,” Derbez said about the series’ plot, which showcases the resilience of a group of Latino workers who, against all odds, made a name for themselves in Hollywood.
Derbez also pointed out how the Spanish-language version of a classic film outperformed its original English counterpart. “A group of Latinos were tasked with working on the film at night, under poor conditions, and with little pay or sleep. Despite these challenges, they created a superior version. So much so that the Hollywood studios acknowledged the Spanish version’s excellence and decided to suppress it. Forty years later, it was rediscovered in Cuba, and we decided to bring it back to the screen.”
BIGGER BUDGETS FOR LATIN CONTENT
Derbez emphasized the transformative influence of streaming platforms on the audiovisual industry. Recalling his time at Televisa, he shared, “I constantly advocated for increased budgets and the opportunity to produce larger, higher-quality projects. However, during that era, open television budgets were quite limited. With the emergence of streaming platforms, we were able to elevate our television production to cinematic standards.”
This approach led to a high level of production quality, where “each episode felt like a film, with substantial production value, talented actors, and a clear sense of craftsmanship. It’s immediately evident that you’re watching something well-made and with a significant budget.”
LATINO UNDERREPRESENTATION IN HOLLYWOOD
Derbez reflected on the representation of Latinos in the U.S. film industry. “In a single year, 25% of all movie tickets sold in the United States are purchased by Latinos. However, only 3% of the actors on screen are Latino. We are still significantly underrepresented on the big screen.”
The production teams from 3Pas Studios and Visceral were both represented at the event, along with the entire cast of the series and special guests. Attendees had the opportunity to preview the first episode, which became available on ViX on Friday, October 4th.
Inspired by true events, Y Llegaron de Noche is a comedy that delves into the behind-the-scenes story of a group of Latinos who created the ultimate Dracula film—a Spanish version of the classic 1931 movie that remains largely unknown. While the renowned actor Bela Lugosi filmed the English version of Dracula during the day, another cast and crew arrived at night to produce the Spanish-language film, using the same sets, costumes, and a translated script. Working under the cover of darkness, they defied the odds and created a version that surpassed the original.
Watch trailer of Y Llegaron de Noche