GRAND HOTEL

For my international blog project, I decided to analyze the Spanish-speaking period television series: "Grand Hotel." Dubbed as the Spanish "Downton Abbey," I hope to not only discover what differences the Spain-produced series showcases to separate itself from its English competitor, but also what elements are utilized (character arc, production/camera techniques, storyline, soundtrack, etc) that make it such a globally successful series. Currently it is broadcasted in several countries including the USA (Netflix), England, France, Russia, Turkey, Lithuania, Germany, Estonia, Slovakia, Venezuela, Bulgari and Serbia (Wikipedia). It is also rumored that Mexico would like to create a remake of this show.

 

The goal of this blog is to evaluate the show as an viewer/fan, as well as analyze what challenges it may encounter being a period series distributed in another language. I believe my interest in this topic is significant and appropriate for this blog, because the series showcases that foreign talent are more than ready to break into other globally-accepted genres. With the presence of "Grand Hotel," not only are they willing to take on the challenges of period dramas/mysteries, but they are dominating in this field as well. I hope to discover that the differences between a series such as this and other well-known English speaking shows goes beyond the language barrier.

 

For purpose of this blog, I have chosen to watch the first season with subtitles. Since it is a series entangled with mystery and romantic elements, I am too afraid that the language barrier (watching without subtitles) would cause me to miss out on vital information as the storyline continues.  The target audience for my blog is for adults— both young and old perhaps within the 20-40 age range, specifically targeting American audiences to engage their interest in a foreign production of a period series. I hope to provide an online platform for fans to stay up to follow along during my viewing, and think beyond the text into what production and storyline elements makes this series so fascinating. I think by helping to introduce this show to American audiences, (regardless if they are currently Downton Abbey fans or not), will open up American perspectives about not only period shows, but also challenge their preconceived notions regarding Spanish-speaking shows in general.