ZDF Studios has secured international distribution rights for “Lume,” an eco-thriller that highlights the growing crisis of wildfires along the northern border of Portugal and Spain. This acquisition marks one of ZDF’s significant scripted pick-ups and will be showcased at this week’s Mipcom trade fair.
The interest in “Lume” reflects a broader trend among international companies in the series. Warner Bros. Discovery’s platform, Max, will stream the show in Spain and Portugal, airing it simultaneously with RTP and Televisión de Galicia (TVG), the public broadcasters from Portugal and Galicia, Spain. Additionally, “Lume” was one of nine European Union series to receive co-financing in June through the Council of Europe’s pilot program for Series Co-Production Support, which aims to promote high-quality productions.
Produced by Coral Europa in Lisbon and Setemedia in Santiago de Compostela, “Lume” consists of six suspenseful episodes set in the hamlet of Seara on the Portugal-Galicia border. The plot follows journalist Lucía as she investigates a massive forest fire that threatens her village. Her personal connection to the story deepens as her father, accused of starting a deadly fire, committed suicide while in jail.
The series is executive produced by Alberto Domínguez from Setemedia and José Amaral from Coral Europa, known for producing iconic Portuguese series like “Dry Water,” “Gloria,” and “Vanda.” Irene Pin created “Lume,” co-writing it with Sara Rodi, who was the head writer for RTP-RTVE’s 2022 co-production “Sequía.”
The cast features renowned actors including Portuguese Academy Sophia Award-winner Lúcia Moniz, Albano Jerónimo, Ricardo Pereira from Portugal, and Spanish actors Cristina Castaño, Xúlio Abonjo, and Alfonso Agra.
As Lucía investigates the forest fire, she uncovers significant economic interests linked to the disaster. This storyline has gained relevance following recent statements from Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who vowed to pursue those profiting from the wildfires.
Susanne Frank, Director of Drama at ZDF Studios, expressed confidence in the project’s relevance and its collaborative partners. She noted ZDF’s long-standing relationships with Spanish and Portuguese entities and their commitment to joint developments and co-productions.
TVG Program Director Fernando R. Ojea emphasized that “Lume” has all the elements for success due to its talented team and compelling script centered around a unique theme: forest fires.
The series exemplifies growing co-production efforts between ZDF and Spanish public broadcasters, as well as between Portugal and Spain. Previous collaborations include the adventure epic “Boundless” and the crime procedural “Weiss & Morales.”
RTP Program Director José Fragoso highlighted that “Lume” represents another opportunity to harness co-production potential between Portugal and Spain in fiction. He pointed out that the narrative combines police investigation with themes of arson, which resonate strongly in both countries.
Ojea added that it is a significant achievement to unite Galicia and Portugal through this project, involving public broadcasters from both regions.
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