Happy La Casa De Los Espiritus release day to all who celebrate!
I can't believe that it's been TWO months since I announced our April book club selection would be The House Of The Spirits in anticipation of the release of the Amazon Prime series and it's FINALLY HERE today! The first 3 episodes are out today and it appears the remaining 5 episodes will release in the next 2 weeks. I had the privilege of seeing the first 2 episodes at the premiere, but, unfortunately, forgot my notebook and we weren't allowed to take out phones, so my very surface-level first impressions will appear at the bottom of this post. Before that, I wanted to tell you all about this trip that Amazon Prime invited me on...
(A BRIEF NOTE: having issues importing in photos, so will use social media photos for now and maybe a seperate post after I figure out with more behind-the-scenes photos. Apologies!)
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
Apparently my video announcing our April book club selection somehow made it to the Prime Video team, who were looking to select some Latinx content creators from the US--overall, there were 16 influencers from all over Latin America and Spain in my cohort. There were several other groups of Chilean and Latin American influencers that weren't with us, but that we met up with at the premiere. In the spirit of transparency, this was not a paid opportunity, but my travel, accommodations, and meals were paid by Prime Video (I hope this isn't oversharing, but as many of you know, I take care of my elderly mother full-time, so it did weigh heavily to be away from home for so long. This opportunity appeared in my inbox the day after Veela left me and I felt like it was the universe saying...DO IT. The pull of attending the premier of the adaptation of one my favorite Latine books, combined with travel to explore a place I've never been before was just too alluring to pass up. I made arrangements for Mami's care for the week and packed my bags).
THE AGENDA
I was away for 5 nights total--Monday - Friday last week. Only 3 nights were at the hotel in Santiago, the other 2 nights were overnight flying to the destination. To say that my neck and back are feeling it STILL, is an understatement. I'll be sharing a reel and some carousels on socials this afternoon with more photos and videos, but here's a little more detail of what this trip was like (in addition to what was already shared on Discord while I was away).
TUESDAY
I arrived early Tuesday morning and was greeted by the Prime Video team and was surprised that they immediately asked me to make content! This was my first "influencer trip" outside of the book community and upon landing, it was already SO different. It took a couple of takes (I was both surprised and EXHAUSTED), but I got a little snippet that they used in this video, which is a little private recap of the day created by the team. Also, let me know if you're interested in seeing the two other videos.
Once we made it into Santiago, I had most of the day to myself, as the others were all flying in. I walked down to the MUT which was a 10 minute walk from the hotel because it appeared there were some bookstores in and around it--I wasn't prepared for what an incredible public space awaited me, full of Latin American brands and crafts. What I thought was one bookstore inside, was, by my counts, three...and I do think there were more because they were having a bookstore night on Saturday, April 25th.
I didn't buy any books because when I got to my room, there was a giant box of goodies from La Casa De Los Espiritus awaiting me and I knew it was going to be a challenge to even fit that in my suitcase (spoiler: she DID, in fact, get the box to fit in and safely fit in her suitcase!).
I rested and had a snack in the afternoon in anticipation of preparing for our first event Tuesday evening, which took place at the rooftop of our hotel.
You'll note in all the activations that they did a beautiful job with every single detail, whether it was the flowers which play a big role in the first episodes, the beautiful blue and gold design on everything from the tarot cards to notecards, the consistent La Casa De Los Espiritus sign for all our individual and group photos. No detail went unnoticed and you could tell the team worked tirelessly planning every single detail of these experiences (and they all tie to the beautiful opening credits of the show).
Tuesday's cocktail hour was a mix of appetizers, cocktails, and wine. There was a sommelier there who was so knowledgeable about Chilean wines (did you know they're at the same latitude as California?) The one that stood out to me was the 2023 Antiyal Pura Fe Carmenere from the Maipo Valley. It was one of the best red wines I've ever had and I regret not bringing back bottles with me (see the story of the box I stuffed into my suitcase instead). I tasted some spectacular wines as I got to know my new creator friends I would be spending the next few days with.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday morning, we were up early for an activation at Palacio Bruna, which is the house that you see on the movie poster for the show and is the primary house of The House Of The Spirits AND the primary filming location for those scenes.
The crew, once again, set up a beautifully detailed experience with a picnic embroidery activation, a book to write our memories, a journaling experience, a beautiful set-up for brunch, including a cello serenade, and an outdoor photography session with a retro camera.
Afterwards, we walked through Santiago's Lastarria neighborhood, Parque Forestal, a stop at Museo Bellas Artes, and a little stop for some trinkets with local street vendors. Overall, I was already charmed and VERY in love with Santiago just seeing the little bit that I had.
Tuesday night, we headed to Liguria Restaurant, where we had our fortunes told on a three legged table (ala Clara) and had a lovely dinner inside a La Casa De Los Espiritus library. The bookstagrammer in me tried everything possible to not just take 10,000 photos with those bookshelves.
THURSDAY
We were up early, yet again, for our final and MOST JAM-PACKED AND IMPORTANT DAY!
We headed over to Casa Sanz for our second-to-last activation AND a PANEL WITH Alfonso Herrera (Esteban Trueba), Nicole Wallace (Clara joven), Dolores Fonzi (Clara vieja), Fernanda Castillo (Ferula Trueba) and Juan Pablo Raba (Tio Marcos). Two of the major highlights of the panel for me, other than getting to briefly speak with the actors as I walked up and take a photo of them were Dolores Fonzi hyping up The Open Veins of Latin America as a book she'd like to see get an adaptation. The second was Alfonso Herrera on an international stage discussing that in some Florida school districts, you can't find The House of the Spirits because it's been banned. Seeing an international spotlight put on what is happening here in Florida made me so emotional--people are seeing what's happening here and are as shocked and outraged as I am. I felt so validated (and, secretly, did he see this post of mine from Latinx Heritage Month?).
We had about 90 minutes between events and Thursday night's event was THE PREMIERE! We were greeted by a caravan of vintage cars used in the show, where got to take some photos before heading out to the event. One of the most delightful thing I've ever seen are the looks of sheer joy on people's faces as we drove by--they were sharing in the joy with their friends, taking photos and videos of us--again, this goes back to the level of detail and care the planners of this event took, but that caravan of vintage cars with La Casa De Los Espiritus magnet on the side were better than ANY billboard.
We arrived JUST in time to the event (actually, it involved all of us getting out of our cars about a block and a half before arriving and literally sprinting for our lives down the street to get on the blue carpet ahead of the actors). This was my first premiere and it was so exciting and thrilling.
We were ushered into the Municipal Theater of Santiago and then the director and showrunners, Francisca Alegría, Fernanda Urrejola, and Andres Wood all gave very emotional speeches--this show, based on a book by a Chilean author, made and directed by Chileans, for the rest of the world premiering in its home country? The anticipation and emotions were running high...my review of the show is below.
This was my first blue (ie, red) carpet and it was incredible to experience the press, the party, the general splendor of it all. It was also so great to just see the actors hanging out afterwards among the attendees, many of whom were friends and family. One of the creators from LA who does lots of red carpet events told me that this would NEVER happen in LA.
In fact, as I made my way to the service bar (I couldn't get a passed drink) for a glass of champagne, I casually ran into Noelia Coñuenao, who plays Pancha Garcia, and obviously from these photos, we're now best friends.
FRIDAY
I was EXHAUSTED from going nonstop by the time I woke up on Friday, but I did manage to spend a little time sightseeing in the Santiago Metropolitan Park and ride the Fenicular (historic elevator) and cable cars to get beautiful vistas of the city from San Cristobal Hill.
I had a brief lunch at one of the 50 best sushi restaurants in Latin America, Karai, and then it was time to origami my suitcase together before heading home.
Overall, the experience felt like a Hollywood film to me, but Santiago was grounding and welcoming. I didn't get a good feel for the city, but every time I found out something new about the city, it made me want to return even more. I left a part of my heart in Santiago and I intend to return, this time with less of an agenda and more to visit the sites and beautiful country.
Before I leave you, my quick thoughts on the show...
MY QUICK REVIEW of LA CASA DE LOS ESPIRITUS (could be spoilery for those who want to know NOTHING before watching)
I audibly gasped when the show began--it begins with a little foreshadowing (a view of the house) and, if you read the book, it begins out of order from the book. I always go into a book adaptation expecting differences and I really enjoyed this creative angle the directors and show runners took. After that short introduction, the story remained mostly true to the novel, from Clara's childhood, her relationship with Rosa was so beautifully played out, Esteban (UGH) existed and was deliciously played by Pocho.
You can tell that the production levels of the show were extremely high--from the filming locations all over Chile, to the gorgeous was some of the magical realism symbolism were displayed via CGI, the costuming and hair and make-up details. You felt like you were living in that time period 100 years ago. The sets and every single detail of everyday life were tediously accounted for the time period and care and love for the story. I have no complaints on anything EXCEPT (warning, slight spoiler for first 2 episodes and tw: rape)...
There was one thing that did not appear in the first 2 episodes, which have me a bit concerned for the whole of the story. As readers of the book know, all these women had to live in Esteban's life for him to finally understand the consequences of his politics and actions, the most cruel of which was that he was a serial rapist. This was vividly and viciously depicted in the novel and it is a central aspect of who Esteban is as a man. I don't think there is a way to appropriately convey him as a character without examining that aspect of his actions and neither of the episodes depicted it--there was possibly a hint, maybe, but I would be very disappointed with the show if it's not portrayed in later episodes because I'd see it as a whitewashing of Esteban.
I have hopes that the show will remain true and just wanted to build certain pillars of the story before introducing this aspect of Esteban's character. I'll definitely be tuning in and hope to hear your thoughts if you decide to as well...
I hope you enjoyed me taking you along on this ride and beyond the social media posts.
xo,
Carmen
