In the Spanish comedy drama series “Zorras,” based on the Noemí Casquet best selling novel of the same name, Andrea Ros, Mirela Balic, and Tai Fei play Alicia, Emily, and Diana, three women from very different backgrounds. They find a commonality, however, in a desire for friendship and exploration of themselves through sexual experimentation and novelty.
“Zorras” might translate as “sluts” or “tramps.” The show flips such terms and acts such as bondage on their head.
“I really think it’s about empowering ourselves through those words that have been pejorative to us throughout our existence simply by living and doing with our lives what we want to do with our lives,” Casquet toldPvNew.
“The term ‘sluts’ has always been very derogatory regardless of how many times we slept with someone. What this series wants to do is to turn the term around. To stop hurting us and to take ownership of the insults we have been receiving for a long time. Sexual freedom ultimately depends on that, on being true to our values and our own rhythm. That is true sexual freedom,” she adds.
The book, published in 2021, has sold well in Spain and Latin America, and forms part one of a trilogy. Its journey to screen has been rapid and seemingly smooth with Estíbaliz Burgaleta and Flora González tasked with writing it for screen. “It was approached in a wonderful way. Very feminist, both on set and on screen. I think this issue is very important. Sexuality was approached with an intimacy co-ordinator, who was wonderful and accompanied the actors both physically and psychologically,” Casquet says, adding, “I participated in the revision of the scripts and as an actress, but I would like to highlight the good vibes that existed in the team. A lot of humor, a lot of love and a lot of sorority, above all.”
Bringing the show together were Atresmedia TV production in collaboration with top Spanish production house Morena Films with Montse García and Merry Colomer serving as executive producers. Having debuted on adventurous Atresmedia SVOD service Atresplayer in July, the series played this week’s Iberseries as part of Second Window. It also figures as one of the top titles which Atresmedia will be talking up at Cannes Mipcom trade fair from Oct. 16.
Goya-nominated Pilar Castro (“Fat People,”), Nico Romero (“La Fortuna,” “Riot Police”), and “Piggy” star Laura Galán head a strong supporting cast which included a part for the author.
“Well, it was very interesting… but I don’t think I’ll repeat it. Maybe sporadically because it was fun. But I don’t see myself doing it professionally. Acting is very difficult and hard world. You must be passionate about it and in my case it doesn’t happen. That’s why I’m going to continue my path of dissemination and sexual activism.”
Episode 1 sees Alicia (Andreas Ros) tied in bondage, her new friends Diana (Tai Fei) and Emily (Mirela Balic) look on with relish. She is suspended off the floor of the club. As she spins her voiceover says, “My mind was set free. Nothing would ever be the same.” She looks at her friends, smiles and sticks her tongue out.
Each episode, directed by Ana Vázquez and Aritz Moreno, explores multiple sexual fantasies, whisking the trio through the beating hedonistic heart of the city. The creators wanted to explore the use of sex on screen in different ways. “It is not just important; it is vital for our own social liberation.” said Casquet. “In the end, we act on many occasions on a romantic and sexual level (and in many other aspects of life in general) following a collective imaginary that we have been absorbing throughout our lives.”
For Casquet, culture has created “a backpack for us” giving us a set of ideas and values we perpetuate. However, she believes it doesn’t have to be this way. “Culture must position itself. And it can choose between continuing to perpetuate the established system, or it can position itself as one of the biggest combative tools that can address the masses most. And that can really change things from within. I try to use culture as a tool to hack the system and that’s how I perceive it, both as a consumer and as a creator. And undoubtedly these new formats hack the system because they open us up to diversity, to freedom, to feeling reflected that there is something beyond the established,” she says.
In writing a story that mixes diverse friendship, sexual awakening, and a buzzing Madrid scene, Casquet has hit on preoccupations felt by many people. “These issues are universal, and we should treat them as such. In the end we are all in the same system, so to speak. Beyond cultural and political differences, the human being is made up of different parts and in that we are all the same.”
