Netflix miniseries explores connection to infamous 1981 bank robbery attempt

Netflix will release the Spanish miniseries Bank Under Siege, directed by Daniel Calparsoro and written by Patxi Amezcua, on Thursday. The five-part series follows the infamous bank attack that shook Spanish society on May 23, 1981. 11 hooded men stormed the Central Bank in Barcelona’s Plaza de Cataluña and held more than 200 terrified people hostage for 37 hours.

The gunmen threatened to kill the hostages if the Spanish government did not agree to release Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina and three other officials responsible for the 23-F coup attempt. They revealed their true purpose with a note left in a nearby phone booth. It was later revealed that the real reason for the robbery was to recover documents from the Spanish intelligence service CESID that could endanger the then King of Spain.

The robbery was not only a spectacular attack, but also a politically effective one; It occurred during a turbulent period marked by increasing ETA attacks and destabilizing initiatives by the far right. The project is directed by Director Daniel Calparsoro, who has extensive experience in productions involving robbers.

Calparsoro explained that although Bank Under Siege (“Asalto al Banco Central”) was intended as a series, it could feel like a long movie, “about five hours when watched in one go”, which was not the original intention. The series decided to expand its focus to three main points: the actual attack and incident, the development of the fascinating character of the leader of the robbers, and the opportunity to portray a historical moment in Spain.

Miguel Herrán, known for his role as Rio in La Casa de Papel, plays the character known as “Number 1” during the robbery, “El Rubio” in his criminal career, and José Juan Martínez in his private life. Herrán describes him as “a self-made person who knows very well what he wants and how he wants it” and as someone with a dual morality who is in love with a particular political ideology (anarchism) and sometimes uses the system. and sometimes he goes against it.

The character was developed without Herrán reading or seeing previous material because Calparsoro preferred to work closely with him, allowing for improvisation. The miniseries also stars María Pedraza, who played Alison Parker in “La Casa de Papel,” as Maider, an inexperienced journalist with a significant history of terrorism in the Basque Country.

María Pedraza believes that her character “reflects her determination and ambition as she competes with the police and authorities to uncover the truth.” Hovik Keuchkerian, also known for his role in the movie “La Casa de Papel”, plays Berni, a master photographer who loses his passion after the death of his daughter.

Keuchkerian said that when Maider told Berni about the bank robbery, the version of Berni who had not lost his daughter jumped up and shouted, “Let’s go!” He explains that he would have said that, but had to be dragged away because he was in a deep emotional pit. . The miniseries features an excellent soundtrack by Carlos Jean; It was chosen as a narrative element, including well-known songs from the 80s by artists such as Miguel Bosé and Raffaella Carrà.

Director Daniel Calparsoro believes that “Asalto al Banco Central” can appeal to a young audience who do not know historical events because they were not born yet. He emphasizes that the series is made for all audiences and tells about a very specific moment in Spain, using words such as “amnesty”, “far right” and “corruption” that are still used in the press today.

Calparsoro said that the series will be a big surprise for those who do not know the history and said, “It is a reality that goes beyond fiction.” The mini-series offers the opportunity to relive an important historical event with its gripping narrative and strong performances from the cast.

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Sources: El Faro de Vigo, Levante-EMV, The Sun, The Scottish Sun, La Vanguardia

This article was written in collaboration with prolific artificial intelligence company Alchemiq.