New modes of cinematic production in contemporary Spanish cinema: Private televisions and the film franchise

Abstract

This article explores a new mode of cinematic production that emerged in contemporary Spanish cinema only after private television companies were legally compelled by the Law 22/1999 to invest in film production, leading to the film franchise as exemplified by the Brain Drain film series Fuga de cerebros (Brain Drain) (González Molina, 2009) and Fuga de cerebros 2. Ahora en Harvard (Brain Drain 2) (Therón, 2011). These productions depart from the institutional models of contemporary Spanish cinema since they emerge from strategies that mirror those used by private television companies when manufacturing television series. By analysing the Brain Drain franchise’s production strategies and formal features, this article aims to shed light on an overlooked area of contemporary Spanish cinema.