Keshet International (KI), the global content producer and distributor, has secured the international distribution rights to the hotly contested six-part biopic drama Cuba Libre for its scripted slate at MIPCOM 2022. 

Produced by Hop! Films for Portugal’s public service broadcaster RTP with new-comer Beatriz Godinho in the lead role of Annie, Cuba Libre (6×45’) tells the true story of a young Portuguese woman who gave everything to the Cuban revolution and Che Guevara, including herself. 

Set against the political backdrop of the Cold War, this is the extraordinary biography of Ana Maria Silva Pais, the only daughter of the Director General of the PIDE, Portugal’s secret service. Annie was a mass of contradictions: a legendary beauty who loved music, dancing, and French culture, she was also a rebellious spirit with strong-held political opinions that often clashed with her family’s. While her looks brought her beauty-contest success, it was these political ideals that shaped her life. Thrilled to escape the Portuguese dictatorship with her Swiss diplomat husband when he is posted to Havana, Annie falls in love with more than just the vibrant culture there – abandoning her life as she knows it to dedicate herself to the Cuban revolution, all the while being secretly in love with Che Guevara.   

Anke Stoll, KI’s VP of Acquisitions and Co-productions, says: “This is an incredible true story of a woman who changed so many lives to follow her passion and strong political beliefs. The team at Hop! Films have done a fantastic job bringing her vibrant story to life for TV viewers.” 

Henrique Oliveira, producer and MD of Hop! Films, adds: “This has been something of a passion project for me, and it’s taken 20 years to bring Annie’s story to screen having first read about her in a newspaper article. This series is quite probably the most ambitious period drama ever produced in Portugal – certainly in terms of its international cast – and I’m thrilled the team at Keshet International is representing it.” 

Keren Shahar, KI’s COO and President of Distribution, comments: “Adding this vibrant, colorful and authentic drama to our slate brings me joy. Not only is this a captivating watch, but I’m thrilled that we’re helping to bring Annie’s life story to global audiences. It’s fitting that more people will get to learn of her influential role in Cuba’s history.” 

Written and directed by Henrique Oliveira (1986, Vidago Palace), Cuba Libre stars Beatriz Godinho (O Sítio da Mulher Morta), alongside Adriano Luz (Mysteries of Lisbon, Night Train to Lisbon) and Margarida Marinho (Meu Amor, Low-Flying Aircraft), who play her parents Fernando and Nita, while Pierre Kiwitt (Das Boot, Charité II) plays her husband Raymond. Cuba Libre will receive its world premiere in Portugal on RTP from 21 September. 

KI will present Cuba Libre to international buyers at MIPCOM 2022, where the global producer and distributor’s Sales team can be found at a new stand location R7:K22 within the Palais’ Riviera 7.  Other slate highlights include My Name is Reeva: I Was Murdered by Oscar Pistorius, Rabbit Films’ stylish coming-of-age thriller Summer of Sorrow (10×60’) – which was selected for the 2022 MIPTV Drama Showcase in April; Woodcut Media’s World’s Most Evil Killers (140×60’) and the competition reality format, The Perfect Dessert – which returns to Keshet 12 during the World Cup for a second season.