Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s latest film, Damsel, has taken the world by storm, becoming the most-watched movie globally in the first half of 2024. Announced in Los Angeles by Netflix, the Tenerife director’s fantasy adventure film has amassed over 143 million views, making it the first time a Spanish filmmaker has achieved such a milestone on the world’s leading streaming platform.
This remarkable achievement places Fresnadillo at the pinnacle of global cinema, ahead of other major productions like Lift: A First Class Heist by US director Gary Grey and The Snow Society by Catalan director Juan Antonio Bayona. The unprecedented presence of two Spanish filmmakers among the most-watched films has captured the attention of Hollywood’s film industry press, marking a historic moment for Spanish cinema.
International Recognition and Prestigious Awards
Expressing his excitement and satisfaction with this global success, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Damsel has not only broken records on Netflix but has also been recognised as the best thriller of the year at the British National Film Academy (NFA) awards. This honour, awarded through votes from over four million moviegoers, solidifies Damsel as one of the most acclaimed films of the year. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being one of the top three most-watched films in Netflix’s history, an extraordinary achievement for a Spanish director.
A Stellar Cast and Compelling Storyline
Damsel boasts an impressive A-list cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Robin Wright, and Angela Bassett, who bring the film’s captivating fantasy adventure to life. Shot in picturesque locations across Portugal and England, the movie follows the story of a princess who must fight for survival after discovering she is to be sacrificed following her marriage. The film’s engaging plot, combined with outstanding performances, has contributed significantly to its immense popularity.
Recognition with the Taburiente Award 2024
The success of Damsel coincides with the recent honouring of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo with the prestigious Taburiente Award by the Diario de Avisos Foundation. This award, which acknowledges his exceptional contributions to cinema, will be presented to him at a gala event on 24 October at the Guimerá Theatre in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, further cementing his status as one of the most influential filmmakers from the Canary Islands.
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Journey to International Acclaim
Fresnadillo is widely regarded as the Canarian filmmaker with the greatest international reach. He began his storytelling journey through photography, which has been a constant source of inspiration in his career. His breakthrough came with his debut short film, Esposados, which won over forty national and international awards and made him the first Spanish short filmmaker to be nominated for an Oscar in Hollywood.
He later directed his first feature film, Intacto, shot in the Canary Islands and featuring a stellar cast led by Max von Sydow and Leonardo Sbaraglia. The film won two Goya awards and received six other nominations, establishing Fresnadillo as a force in Spanish cinema.
Fresnadillo’s subsequent works, including 28 Weeks Later (a sequel to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later featuring Robert Carlyle) and Intruders starring Clive Owen, solidified his reputation, with the latter film opening the San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2011. His involvement in Hollywood productions as an executive producer, such as the series Falling Water and Salvation, further showcased his versatility and talent.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
With Damsel’s unprecedented success in just six months, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo has once again proven his ability to captivate audiences worldwide, establishing himself as a visionary filmmaker and securing his place in the history of global cinema.
