February 22 marks the Latin American premiere of Sony Entertainment Television’s prime time series “Los caballeros las prefieren brutas” (“Gentlemen Prefer Idiots”), a dramatic comedy based on the book of the same name written by Colombian author and star of the Colombo-Panamanian film “Chance” Isabella Santo Domingo. The series, 22 one-hour episodes shot in high definition, was filmed in Bogotá, another on a growing list of international productions made in Colombia including “Kdabra” by Moviecity Pack Originals and Fox International Channels; “Isa TK+” by Sony Pictures Television for Nickelodeon Latin America; the Latin American version of “Grey’s Anatomy” (“A corazón abierto”) by Disney Media Networks Latin America; “Operación Jaque” for Spanish TV; “Mental”, and the first seasons of “Tiempo Final” for Fox.

“Original production in Latin America is a market necessity. I see three obvious tendencies: the first for American dramatic/comedy series which continue to pull in audiences; the second for reality shows like the ones we’re currently producing; and third, there is an increasing demand for development and production of original series based on American esthetics but produced in Latin America… our upcoming original format is “Los caballeros las prefieren brutas”, a sitcom based on the very successful book of the same name. As for ratings, we’re currently going through a transition period in which audiences are being redefined”, says Rogelio Jua VP of Production for SPE Networks Latin America.

The series is a dramatic comedy dealing with modern relationships in contemporary Latin America and inspires audiences to reflect on common subjects such as the battle of the sexes, reasons for marrying, the convenience of a macho attitude and other topics regarding relationships dealt with by
Santo Domingo in her best-selling book. The book tells the story of Cristina, an attractive, intelligent and independent young executive who enjoys financial success, has wonderful friends and shares her life with the perfect man until one day she realizes her perfect man is a perfect idiot. Her perfect world crumbles and she sinks into an emotional void, though still determined to find happiness and personal satisfaction… whatever the cost. What’s the secret? What’s wrong with intelligent, professional and successful women? Why is it so hard to have a relationship with them? Could it really be that “gentlemen prefer idiots”?

The television version was written by Rosa Clemente, Jörg Hiller, Claudia Sánchez and Pedro Miguel Rozo and the cast includes Valerie Domínguez (Esto huele mal, El último matrimonio feliz – TV); Juan Pablo Raba (En coma, Mi gorda bella - TV, Por amor a Gloria – TV); Michelle Manterola (Gracia); Rodrigo Candamil (Guillermo); Patricia Castañeda (Hannah); Mijail Mulkay (Rodrigo); Patricia Bermúdez (Roberta); Ana María Trujillo (Ester); Gustavo Angel (Miguel); Ángela Vergara (Pamela); Juan Pablo Espinosa (Eduardo); Rita Bendek (Alma) and Gerardo De Francisco (Justo).

The series is an original Sony Entertainment Television production created in Colombia by Laberinto Producciones. Technical crew members include Colombian directors Carlos Moreno (Perro come perro), Juan Felipe Orozco (Al final del espectro), Alessandro Angulo (Bluff) and Venezuelan Henry Rivero; executive producer Nana Velásquez; production coordinator Sandra Eichmann; director of photography Alfredo Ruíz; audio engineer Carlos Eduardo Lopera; art director Rafael Ortiz; production manager María Inés Carrasco; costume designer Ximena Bessolo; make-up designer Faddy Flórez; casting director Juan Pablo Félix; photographer Catalina Giraldo; post-production head Sandra Rodríguez; editors Andrés Porras and Juan José Bayona; music supervisor Camilo Montilla; original music by Daniel Medina and original music by César Escola, to name only a few.