Truth Stranger Than Fiction: Mocro Maffia Leader’s Escape
The old adage that truth is stranger than fiction continues to hold true. The most recent example is the controversial escape of Karim Bouyakhrichan, the leader of the Mocro Maffia on the Costa del Sol. After being arrested and remanded in custody, he was released on a bail of just 50,000 euros, only to disappear shortly after. The legal manoeuvring to secure his release involved major law firms allegedly serving these criminals.
New TV Series Mirrors Real-Life Scandal
Coincidentally, the central theme of the new series released by Movistar+, titled Marbella, mirrors this real-life scandal. The series features a cunning lawyer, played by Hugo Silva, who manipulates the law to favour a criminal organisation involved in drug trafficking. The real-life scandal of the disappearing mafia leader has garnered more media attention than any promotional campaign for the TV series could have.
Marbella: The UN of Organised Crime
The series doesn’t shy away from drawing parallels to the real-life gang leader, naming their character Yassim, a newcomer to Malaga’s underworld. The series portrays Marbella as “the UN of organised crime”, a town riddled with British, Italian, Serbian and Albanian mafia gangs. The series creators, Dani de la Torre and Alberto Marini, weave a tale of intrigue, violence, crime and police investigations, similar to their previous series, La Unidad.
Reality of Organised Crime on the Costa del Sol
Those living along the Costa del Sol have witnessed the reality of organised crime behind the glitz and glamour of the party scene. Despite being a fictional story, Marbella is based on real events and bravely exposes the criminal activities often hidden behind the glamorous parties in Puerto Banús and its surroundings.
Marbella: A Dazzling but Deceptive Town
Marbella, the insatiable and tempting town, is the main protagonist of this series. The plot is guided by a charming, cynical and complicit lawyer, played by Hugo Silva. The series captivates viewers with its frank visual style, its cast of characters including new mafiosos, old-school drug lords, lawyers and cops, and its setting in a dazzling Costa del Sol that is not quite what it seems.
Location Filming: Canary Islands and Marbella
Marbella was primarily filmed in the Canary Islands to take advantage of the tax incentives for cinema or television filming. However, the producers have been careful to include strategic shots of Marbella, such as the entrance arch to the Golden Mile, Fuengirola and Archidona prison. This careful filming adds credibility to this fast-paced, illuminating and twisting plot that speaks of a fiction that seems very real, especially to those living in the south of Spain.
