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Fremantle to strike up drama series set in world of mariachi competitions

Mariachi Country focuses on the Texas-Mexico border

CONTENT AMERICAS: Global producer Fremantle will develop and produce Mariachi Country, an aspirational drama set in the world of mariachi bands on the US-Mexico border, as well as a documentary series on the same subject.

Mariachi Country is based on Cecilia Ballí’s New York Times article about this trend. The series uncovers “a fascinating and complex world of the mariachi community” and shows “the bonds that exist among Latino youth as they prepare and compete in this epic and resonant competition,” said Fremantle.

Ballí, who will exec produce both series, said: “Mariachi is growing throughout the country as a virtuosic artform and as a school music programme.” The unscripted series, meanwhile, will focus on competing high school teams, many of which reside on the Texas-Mexico border.

Dante Di Loreto, president of scripted programming at Fremantle US, said the show will “shine a light on authentic personal stories while also celebrating the endless universalities that tie our communities and our country together.”

Fremantle is currently meeting with potential writers and directors to adapt the fictional series and is in talks with high-profile documentarians and producers for the doc series.

Fremantle is not alone in exploring this musical style. HBO Max is yet to release Mexican drama Mariachi, starring Vadhir Derbez, Consuelo Duval and Pedro Fernández, and produced by Hippo Entertainment Group in association with MGM.

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