Amor real (English: Real Love)[nb 1] is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa, broadcast by Canal de las Estrellas (now known simply as Las Estrellas). It originally aired from June 9 to October 17, 2003. Amor real is a historical drama set in the Mexican post-independence period of the mid-19th century.[1][2] The telenovela aired on Univision in the United States, REN TV in Russia and La 1 in Spain, among others. It was successfully distributed to many countries worldwide.[2] In 2005, Amor real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles.[3] Televisa has released an abridged DVD version of the telenovela in several countries.[4]

Amor real
DVD cover of Amor real
GenreTelenovela
Created byMaría Zarattini
Based onBodas de odio
by Caridad Bravo Adams
Written byVíctor Manuel Medina
Directed by
Starring
Music byJorge Avendaño
Opening theme"Amor Real" by Sin Bandera
Country of originMexico
Original languageSpanish
No. of episodes95
Production
Executive producerCarla Estrada
ProducerArturo Lorca
Cinematography
  • Jesús Acuña
  • Alejandro Frutos
Editors
  • Juan Franco
  • Luis Horacio Valdés
Production companyTelevisa
Original release
NetworkCanal de las Estrellas
ReleaseJune 9 (2003-06-09) –
October 17, 2003 (2003-10-17)
Related

The cast and crew of the telenovela received many accolades, including the TVyNovelas Award for Best Telenovela of the Year at the 22nd TVyNovelas Awards ceremony.

Overview

edit

In the mid-19th century, in a time of Victorian morality, challenging the rules of the aristocracy to which she belongs, Matilde Peñalver Beristáin, falls in love with Adolfo Solís, an army soldier with no fortune; trusting that her father, Hilario – a fair and kind man – will let her marry him. But her mother, Augusta, is determined to force Matilde to marry a rich man to save the family from bankruptcy. Manuel Fuentes Guerra is the perfect candidate. He is an honourable and handsome young man who has just inherited a vast fortune. Augusta ignores the fact that Manuel is the illegitimate son of Joaquín Fuentes Guerra, a powerful landlord who raped a native girl, and who only recognised Manuel as his heir on his deathbed.

Using all kinds of intrigues, Augusta and her son Humberto send Adolfo to prison and convince Matilde to believe that he is married and has children. Overwhelmed and in despair, Matilde surrenders to her mother's pressure and agrees to marry Manuel, especially after she learns that he has paid the family's debts. Adolfo escapes from jail and immediately goes to look for his beloved Matilde, who has just married Manuel. Desperate, Adolfo manages to secretly speak with Matilde to clarify the misunderstandings. Swearing they will love each other forever, they decide to run away, but Manuel discovers them. Deeply hurt, Manuel is not willing to give her up. He forces her to leave with him, despite her love for Adolfo. After arriving at Manuel's hacienda, Matilde has to put up with Antonia, the former administrator's daughter, who is in love with Manuel.

Meanwhile, Adolfo, after an intense and frantic search finds Matilde and, intending to bring her back, poses as Manuel's new administrator. Manuel, unaware of Adolfo's real identity, sympathises with him and gives him a special, friendly treatment. In spite of the situation, Adolfo has to admit that Manuel is a noble, fair man. At that point, Manuel and Matilde discover that they have been victims of Augusta and Humberto's deceit. As time goes by, the subtle attention and Manuel's avid desire end up conquering Matilde's heart. Suddenly one day, she realises that the love she felt for Adolfo has disappeared and that she's fallen in love with Manuel. Matilde tells Adolfo the truth and urges him to leave.

Heartbroken, Adolfo accepts his reality and leaves the ranch the same day, that Matilde announces to her husband that she's pregnant. The couple's happiness does not last long. Manuel discovers who his new administrator was and, in an instant, everything falls apart. Matilde's pleas and explanations cannot convince Manuel, he feels betrayed once again and cannot forgive her. Driven by anger, Manuel doubts his paternity and throws Matilde out of the hacienda. Soon after that, he starts a compromising relationship with Antonia that will later make his reconciliation with Matilde more difficult. Manuel and Matilde's relationship will suffer and prosper during times of civil unrest, political and societal intrigue, and subterfuge. Only time will tell whether or not they find 'Real Love' with each other or with someone new.[5]

Cast

edit

Production

edit

"The work of our extremely dedicated cast and crew, along with the extraordinary collection of visual elements — lighting, camera work, custom-made wardrobe, attention to detail — allows the viewers to experience the characters' emotions and also transport themselves completely to another era."

Carla Estrada[2]

  • Amor Real is an adaptation of the telenovela, Bodas de odio, from 1983, based on the novel of the same name, written by Caridad Bravo Adams.[6] For this version it was adapted by the Italian writer, María Zarattini.[7]
  • The telenovela was filmed at the ex-hacienda of Tetlapayac and the surrounding area in the state of Hidalgo for a lapse of eight months. Because the story takes place in mid-19th century Mexico, sets of buildings and plazas had to be built.
  • The production, required the participation of over 1,000 actors, extras, technicians and artisans.[2]
  • Jorge Avendaño Lührs, Mexican pianist and composer, composed the original score (incidental music).
  • The opening theme, "Amor Real", was written and performed by the Mexico-based duo, Sin Bandera.

Reception

edit

Mexico's television ratings

edit
Timeslot # Ep. Premiere Finale Rank Season Rating average
Date Premiere
Rating
Date Finale
Rating
Mondays—Fridays
9:00 pm
95
June 9, 2003
26.5[8][9]
October 17, 2003
43.1[8][10] No. 1[8] 2003–04 29.4[11]

While on the air in Mexico, the telenovela registered very high ratings, especially in the final weeks of its airing when the telenovela showed an average of 35 points.[11] During the whole five-month run in Mexico, it remained on the No. 1 spot,[8] with a 60% market share, as reported by Ibope Mexico.[12] Due to the enormous popularity of Amor Real, the entire telenovela was reruned for the second time after a public demand, only four months after the original airing finalized.[13]

International success

edit

Besides the success in Mexico and Latin America, Amor Real was internationally successful, too.[2] When the telenovela aired during prime time on Univision, it frequently managed to beat leading U.S. networks in the ratings.[3][14] The series aired on Univision in the U.S. with no subtitles, however. It ranks among Univision's highest rated telenovelas of all time.[15] The telenovela also had successful results when it aired in Spain, on the Spanish national television, TVE, where it was shown in the afternoon, in 2005.[16][17] In 2005, Amor Real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles.[3] The DVD release had very successful sales in the U.S.[18][19] The international DVD release of the telenovela, also included countries such as Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Italy and Spain.[4]

Awards and nominations

edit

Here are some of the nominations and wins for Amor Real:

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2003 Califa de Oro Awards[20] Outstanding Production Carla Estrada Won
Outstanding Performance Adela Noriega Won
Ana Bertha Espín Won
Ana Martín Won
Beatriz Sheridan Won
Chantal Andere Won
Ernesto Laguardia Won
Fernando Colunga Won
Mariana Levy Won
Mario Iván Martínez Won
Mauricio Islas Won
Rafael Rojas Won
Outstanding Screenwriting Career María Zarattini Won
Best Direction of the Cameras Alejandro Frutos Won
Best Director Mónica Miguel Won
Arlequin Award[21] Best Production Carla Estrada Won
Mexico's National Association
of Broadcasters
[21]
Micrófono de Oro Awards Won
Sol de Oro Awards (Mexico's National Association of Journalists)[nb 2] Best Production Won
Best Actress Adela Noriega Won
Best Actor Fernando Colunga Won
Best Antagonist Actress Maya Mishalska Won
Best Antagonist Actor Mauricio Islas Won
Best Leading Actress Helena Rojo Won
Best Leading Actor Mauricio Herrera Won
Best Co-lead Actress Chantal Andere Won
Best Co-lead Actor Ernesto Laguardia Won
Best Supporting Actress Ana Bertha Espín Won
Best Supporting Actor Mario Iván Martínez Won
Best Male Special Performance Rafael Rojas Won
Artistic Lifetime Achievement – Award to an Actress Maty Huitrón Won
Artistic Lifetime Achievement – Award to an Actor Ricardo Blume Won
Best Direction Mónica Miguel Won
Best Adaptation María Zarattini Won
2004 22nd TVyNovelas Awards[24] Best Telenovela Carla Estrada Won
Best Actress Adela Noriega Won
Best Actor Fernando Colunga Won
Best Antagonist Actress Chantal Andere Nominated
Best Leading Actress Ana Martín Won
Best Leading Actor Carlos Cámara Won
Best Supporting Actress Ana Bertha Espín Won
Best Supporting Actor Ernesto Laguardia Won
Best Musical Theme Sin Bandera
(composers: Leonel García and Noel Schajris)
Nominated
Best Original Story or Adaptation María Zarattini Won
Best Direction Mónica Miguel
Eric Morales
Nominated
Special Award for Telenovela with the Highest Rating in 2003 Amor real Won
Laurel de Oro Awards[25][26] Best Telenovela Carla Estrada Won
Best Actress Adela Noriega Won
Best Actor Fernando Colunga Won
Best Supporting Actress Ana Martín Won
Best Supporting Actor Mario Iván Martínez Won
Artistic Lifetime Achievement Award Helena Rojo Won
Mauricio Herrera Won
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana[21] Special Award Amor real Won
100 Mexicanos Dijeron[21] VIP Award Won
Principios Award[21] Special Award Won
2005 ACE Awards[21] Best Scenic Program Carla Estrada Won
Best Actress Adela Noriega Won
Best Actor Fernando Colunga Won
Best Direction Mónica Miguel Won
Plaza de las Estrellas[21] Luminaria de Oro Amor real Won
Carla Estrada Won

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Also dubbed as Real Love in English.
  2. ^ Amor Real won 25 Sol de Oro Awards that are bestowed by the Mexico's National Association of Journalists. It won in all categories.[22][23]

References

edit
  1. ^ ""Amor real", la nueva serie romántica de La 1 para la sobremesa estival" (in Spanish). invertia.com. 2012-07-18. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Univision Debuts 'Amor Real' – an Unforgettable Love Story of Epic Proportions; Sweeping Tale Set in Turbulent 19th Century Mexico". Business Wire. October 19, 2004. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  3. ^ a b c Singer, Paola (August 22, 2005). "'Telenovelas' Become A Vibrant New Niche In the DVD Market". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 16, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b Tijerino, Carlos (February 3, 2006). "El DVD de 'Amor Real' rompe récord" (in Spanish). Esmas. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  5. ^ "La 1 recupera el misterio, la venganza y la pasión con 'Amor Real'". RTVE (in Spanish). 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  6. ^ Sanchez, Claudia (2010-09-15). "Telenovelas basadas en la literatura" (in Spanish). Aol Latino. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  7. ^ Salgado, Ivett (2011-03-12). "Antepone María Zarattini la originalidad en sus historias". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d "Amor Real alcanza súper rating" (in Spanish). Terra México. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Amor Real tuvo mayor rating a nivel nacional; Mirada de mujer, en el DF". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 2003-06-11. Archived from the original on 2016-10-02. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "Telenovelas en 2011, la Crisis de los Ratings" (in Spanish). homozapping.com.mx. 2011-12-28. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Audience history of primetime telenovelas in Mexico (1997–2007)" (PDF). IBOPE. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  12. ^ Morales, Magaly (October 29, 2003). "Brazil's First Televised Lesbian Kiss Brings Record Ratings For Globo". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  13. ^ "Datos biográficos" (in Spanish). esmas.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  14. ^ Cabot, Heather (January 15, 2006). "Romance! Revenge! Telenovelas Draw U.S. Viewers". ABC News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  15. ^ Univision.com (June 28, 2013). "Univision tlnovelas Network Premieres Epic Love Story "Amor Real" – One of the Most Successful Telenovelas of All Time". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  16. ^ "Último capítulo de "Amor real" en la tarde de La Primera" (in Spanish). vertele.com. July 18, 2005. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  17. ^ "El day time de TVE1 gana con Televisa" (in Spanish). tvmasmagazine.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  18. ^ Flores, Angelique (November 2005). "Novelas Are Caliente". Home Media Retailing. 27 (48): 14.
  19. ^ "La telenovela Amor Real rompe récords de venta en Estados Unidos en su versión DVD" (in Spanish). azteca21.com. February 6, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "Arrasa 'Amor Real' con premios". Terra.com.mx (in Spanish). 2007-04-09. Archived from the original on 2003-11-19. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g "Awards and acknowledgments". carlaestrada.com. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  22. ^ "The highly rated television run concludes March 4th" (PDF). Xenon Pictures. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  23. ^ "Enamorados de Amor Real". Univision.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2005-02-23. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  24. ^ ""Amor Real" arrasó con 9 trofeos". ImageShack (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  25. ^ "Estrellas del espectáculo recibieron Laurel de Oro". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 2005-08-27. Archived from the original on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  26. ^ "Carla Estrada y 'Amor Real' reciben 'Laurel de Oro'". premiolaureldeoro.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
edit
Official sites
Profiles
Soundtrack
Articles