Courtesy, El EspectadorNo spoilers! This is how the Netflix series One Hundred Years of Solitude was made
One Hundred Years of Solitude, the novel by Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez, will be brought to the small screen by Netflix. Considered one of the most significant works of 20th-century Latin American literature, this will be the first time the book will be adapted to the screen.
Macondo as the setting and the Buendía family as the protagonists, will jump from the printed letter to the world of images through sixteen episodes. This exciting audiovisual production promises to bring Gabo's narrative and cultural legacy to life. Discover more information about the Netflix series and become enchanted by the story that has captivated many people around the world!
Courtesy On Cuba News
Courtesy, Revista SemanaThe series was filmed in various locations of the country of beauty
One of the most fascinating aspects of this production is its detailed production. Filming took place in the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena, Cesar, Cundinamarca, and Tolima. The Buendía family house features real plants and trees that were planted for the gardens and orchards, as well as the alchemy laboratory and Melquíades' room. The house has two floors, numerous rooms, and handcrafted props from different parts of Colombia.
The construction of Macondo took place near Alvarado, Tolima covering an area equivalent to 70 soccer fields. Its corners are full of the Caribbean spirit and are a faithful recreation of García Márquez's world. The streets of Macondo in Colombia are marked by ceramic plaques with familiar names. For example, Papalelo Street has the nickname that Gabo used for his grandfather, Colonel Nicolás Ricardo Márquez. There is also Tranquilina Street, named after his maternal grandmother.
To reconstruct Macondo, historical research was required, and different locations in our country were also scouted. This was one of the conditions set by the Nobel Prize winner's sons, Rodrigo and Gonzalo García, for the production company: that the series be filmed in Colombia and in Spanish.
Courtesy, El EspectadorThe production faced numerous costume and setting challenges
Netflix's adaptation of the One Hundred Years of Solitude summoned diverse professionals from the Latin American audiovisual scene and faced different challenges. The commitment was to create a Macondo as close to Colombian reality as possible. Dozens of artisans, architects, historians, decorators, and technicians were needed to build churches, streets, and trees that make up the fictional town where the story unfolds. There were scenic painters, carpenters, and builders who constructed one of the largest filming sets in Latin America.
Another interesting aspect of the production was the costume design of the characters. This required prior research to identify the style of garments and the right people to make them. The task was to create costumes inspired by the Colombian Caribbean of the late 19th-century. To produce the costumes, there was a 100% Colombian tailoring workshop, and the fabrics went through textile processes such as ageing, in which paints of various kinds were used.
Additionally, the wardrobe team collaborated with the Wayúu community to source materials and create objects and costumes used by the series’ characters.
Courtesy, El EspectadorMost of the protagonists are Colombian actors
Another exciting aspect of this project is its cast, which was carefully selected to bring to life the unforgettable characters of the novel. One of the main characters is Claudio Cataño from Bogotá, who participated in the telenovela “Todas odian a Bermúdez”. He will assume the challenging role of Colonel Aureliano Buendía in his adult version. Cataño, known for his versatility and talent, promises to deliver a captivating portrayal of this central character.
A younger version of Aureliano Buendía will be played by Jerónimo Barón and will give viewers a glimpse into the character's early life. Santiago Vásquez completes the trio of actors as Aureliano during his adolescence. Other cast members include Marco González as José Arcadio Buendía, Susana Morales as Úrsula Iguarán, Ella Becerra as Petronila, and Moreno Borja as Melquiades.
The casting process took time, and more than 10,000 profiles were reviewed in Colombia to find the perfect talent. The result is a diverse cast that combines natural Colombian actors with professional talent.
Get ready to relive One Hundred Years of Solitude on the screen!
Under the direction of Laura Mora and Alex García Lopera, One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the most ambitious audiovisual projects in the history of Latin America, carried out by the best artists and technicians from Colombia and other countries. Rodrigo and Gonzalo García, Gabo's sons, are the executive producers of the project, which was mainly filmed in Colombia.
As the highly anticipated premiere of One Hundred Years of Solitude on Netflix approaches, excitement continues to grow. Fans are eager to discover more about the intriguing cast and the vision behind this unique adaptation of one of the most important Colombian literary works of the 20th century.
Courtesy, Location Colombia
