Paramount+ Greenlights Luis Gerardo Méndez’s Film Adaptation of Popular Mexican Podcast “Toxicomania”

It’s a Toxic time for Luis Gerardo Méndez

Paramount+ has given the greenlight to the film Toxicomania, hailing from the 40-year-old Mexican actor and producer.

Luis Gerardo MéndezThe project is an adaptation of the popular Sonoro podcast of the same name. The podcast tells a fictionalized story based on the real-life events following the legalization of drugs in Mexico.

The project is the first from Méndez and Gerardo Gatica’s first-look deal with VIS, a division of Paramount, via the pair’s production company, Cine Vaquero.

Toxicomania is set in 1940s Mexico City and follows Dr. Leopoldo Salazar Viniegra (Méndez), a brilliant psychiatrist who led a short-lived revolution to legalize drug use in the country.

After facing humiliation from the international medical community and being challenged with a bet from his students, Viniegra presents his unorthodox idea to the then-president of México, General Lázaro Cárdenas. To everyone’s surprise, the president concedes to legalizing drugs, but not before Viniegra overcomes several challenges, including the morality of the era, armed groups, and political pressures.

Within 48 hours of its premiere in 2021, Toxicomania became the most successful Spanish-language fiction podcast hitting No. 1 in Mexico and Latin America and No. 2 in the U.S.

The film will be directed by Sebastián Hofmann and written by David Gaitán. Gatica and Méndez will serve as executive producers.

Sebastian Hofmann Signs First Look Deal with Exile Content Studios & Endeavor Content

Sebastian Hofmannhas a new deal…

The 40-year-old Mexican filmmaker and visual artist has closed an exclusive first-look deal with Exile Content Studios and Endeavor Content.

Sebastian Hofmann

Hofmann directed Tiempo Compartido, the R.J Mitte-starring feature film that won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Screenwriting at the Sundance Film Festivalin 2018 and airs on Netflix.

Hoffman’s first project under the deal is elevated horror series Jabalí, which chronicles the disappearance of a local activist in a forgotten village in rural Mexico in the midst of the traditional feast of the boar.

Exile is focused on developing and producing long-form content for global audiences in English and Spanish. In addition to Netflix’s El Chapo,it was behind Emmy Award-winning documentary Science Fair, which won the Sundance Audience Award in 2018, and Netflix’s Who Killed Malcolm X

The company recently struck a partnership with Endeavor Content to finance, develop, and produce Spanish language scripted television projects, as well as to create a fund to acquire IP and pursue development deals with high-profile and emerging talent across Latin America and Spain.

“To be given the opportunity to develop an auteur-driven series is a dream come true for any filmmaker. Exile and Endeavor Content are creating a strong new platform for contemporary Latin American voices. I am proud and grateful to be a part of it,” said Hofmann.

“Sebastian is truly masterful at creating some of the most sophisticated horror films in Latin America, and we want to invest in introducing his voice to the global scripted series market,” said Exile’s Head of Development Alonso Aguilar.

“Sebastian’s ear for gripping horror stories, his eye for compelling visuals, and his unique storytelling style all make him a world-class showrunner, writer, and director, and we’re looking forward to seeing all that he will create through this partnership,” said Endeavor Content’s VP, International Strategy Kelly Miller.

Escalante’s “Heli” Earns Best International Film Honors at Munich International Film Festival

Amat Escalante’s latest project continues to impress international audiences…

The 34-year-old Mexican director’s drug drama Heli was named the winner of the Arri/Osram best international film award at this year’s Munich International Film Festival.

Amat Escalante

Heli, an independent Mexican crime drama released in May, tells the story of the titular protagonist (portrayed by Armando Espitia), a 17-year-old boy living with his wife (Linda González) and his sister, Estela (Adrea Vergara).

The film follows the arcs of these characters and Estela’s boyfriend (Juan Eduardo Palacios) as they struggle with drugs, violence, and corruption.

Heli

It’s the latest award for the Escalante, who was named best director at the Cannes Film Festival for his exceptional work on Heli.

Meanwhile, his fellow countryman Sebastian Hofmann won the CineVision prize for his debut, the horror tale Halley.

The drama/horror film tells the story of Alberto, who forms an unusual friendship with Luly, the manager of the 24-hour gym where he works as a night guard.