Netflix Inks Colombia’s Pablo González and Camilo Prince, Showrunners of ‘Hijacking of Flight 601’
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In an unprecedented move, Netflix has struck a multi-year creative partnership with Colombian writer/director team Camilo Prince and Pablo González, best known for their lauded 2020 thriller drama series “The Great Heist” and their 2019 anthology series, “Crime Diaries: Night Out,” both for Netflix.
This is the first creative pact Netflix has made with Colombian talent. Similar partnerships have been made with Venezuela’s Roberto Stopello and Leonardo Padrón as well as Mexico’s Manolo Caro, Carolina Rivera and Chilean writer José Ignacio “Chascas” Valenzuela, creator, showrunner of the hit Netflix series “Who Killed Sara?”
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The new alliance coincides with the April 10 Netflix debut of the duo’s latest series, “The Hijacking of Flight 601” (“Secuestrar al Vuelo”), inspired by the longest skyjacking in Latin American history, which happened on May 30, 1973.
“This new deal is an indication of Netflix’s commitment to the Latin American market and to Colombian stories and productions,” said González and Prince. “Just this year alone, Netflix will release two major Colombian productions: our series ‘The Hijacking of Flight 601’ and the upcoming adaptation of ‘100 Years of Solitude.'”
“These titles prove that Colombia has become a major production hub in the region,” they continued, adding, “In our new partnership with Netflix, we are eager to continue making bigger and more ambitious Colombian shows that reach audiences all over the world.”
In the six-episode “The Hijacking of Flight 601,” two armed revolutionaries hijack Flight 601, demanding the release of 50 political prisoners by the Colombian government and a hefty ransom. With political leaders refusing negotiations, the situation heats up. The hijackers take drastic actions, endangering the hostages as the plane drifts aimlessly. The captain and two stewardesses must navigate a perilous path to ensure the hostages’ safe return while trying to both outsmart the hijackers and negotiate with authorities.
“This alliance reaffirms Netflix’s commitment to working with Colombian talent and the entertainment industry, as well as to continue bringing local stories to its members worldwide,” said Netflix in a communiqué.
The giant streaming service has made substantial investments in creating original content from Latin America, primarily from its hub in Mexico City. This includes a diverse range of productions such as films, series, and novelas. Its local originals often rank highest among its non-English language shows.
Separately, González directed two episodes of the first Colombian series for HBO Max, “A Thousand Fangs” (“Mil Colmillos”), created by the late Jaime Osorio Márquez, who directed the other six episodes.
González and Prince recently developed their third original series “Salsa,” which they co-created with Chris Brancato (“Narcos”) for Apple TV+ with leading Colombian production company, Dynamo.
They are both represented by LA-based Artists First.
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