The arrival of the documentary Petro in the Movistar Plus+ catalog presents a new opportunity to explore one of the most significant political phenomena in Latin America in recent decades. Directed by American filmmaker Sean Mattison, the film chronicles the journey that led Gustavo Petro to become Colombia’s first leftist president and offers a privileged insight into an electoral campaign that transformed the country’s political landscape.
The addition of this production to one of Spain’s leading streaming platforms coincides with a particularly significant moment. Following the recent Colombian elections and with the end of the political cycle led by Petro drawing closer, the documentary takes on a new dimension as a historical testimony of an era that has profoundly impacted Colombian political life.
Beyond the figure of the Colombian president, Petro is also a story of talent and international production in which Aragón played a crucial role. Behind the project is Zaragoza-based production company Mil y Una Historias and Aragonese producer Fernando Monzón, the main driving force and financier of a film that has managed to traverse international festivals before landing on a platform as prominent as Movistar Plus+.
A Privileged Access to a Historical Moment
The documentary begins in September 2021, during the official launch of Gustavo Petro’s presidential campaign. From that moment on, Sean Mattison follows the then-candidate on a journey that culminates in his historic electoral victory in 2022.
The film provides an unusual access to the intricacies of a presidential campaign, capturing both euphoric moments and the difficulties of a process marked by political polarization. The result is a complex portrait of a leader who generates equal parts admiration and rejection, while reflecting the profound social and political tensions that run through Colombia.
With a runtime of 98 minutes, Petro deviates from a propagandistic format to construct a narrative that also incorporates critical voices and historical contexts that help to understand the significance of that electoral process.
Mil y Una Historias, an Aragonese Bet with International Ambition
One of the standout aspects of this production is the involvement of Mil y Una Historias, the Zaragoza-based production company that has managed to position itself in international projects.
The company, led by Idoya Barrabés, is among the primary producers of the documentary alongside several American firms, thereby consolidating a transatlantic collaboration that enabled the realization of a complex project both logistically and financially.
The presence of Mil y Una Historias in Petro demonstrates the growing capacity of Aragonese audiovisual companies to participate in globally projected productions. The company has been developing documentary, cinematic, and television projects linked to both Spain and Latin America for years, building a unique identity based on stories with strong social and political components.
“The success of Petro represents an important showcase for the Aragonese audiovisual industry. Its inclusion in the Movistar Plus+ catalog allows thousands of Spanish viewers to discover a production where Aragonese talent has played a decisive role from its early development phases,” emphasizes Barrabés.
Fernando Monzón, the Producer Who Made the Project Possible
If there is a key figure in the making of Petro, it is the Aragonese producer Fernando Monzón.
Monzón is one of the main drivers of the film’s financial and strategic momentum. His investment provided the necessary stability to support an electoral campaign as intense as the one that led Gustavo Petro to the presidency of Colombia for several months.
Monzón’s career is closely linked to political communication, marketing, and international audiovisual production. His knowledge of the Colombian context and his experience with complex projects were crucial in turning a documentary idea into a production capable of competing at international festivals.
Indeed, various reports published during the film’s journey have highlighted the role of the Aragonese producer as one of the project’s key architects. His involvement extended far beyond typical executive production tasks, as he actively participated in financing, development, and international distribution strategy.
Thanks to that investment, Petro managed to complete a circuit that began in Latin America and the United States before reaching mass distribution platforms like Amazon Prime or, most recently, Movistar Plus+.
An International Journey Before Streaming
Prior to its arrival on the Spanish platform, Petro accumulated a notable presence at international festivals.
The film was showcased at prominent events such as the Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico and subsequently participated in the Slamdance Festival in the United States, one of the most important events for independent cinema in North America.
Notably at Slamdance, the documentary received an Honorary Mention for Best Documentary Feature, a recognition that enhanced the project’s international visibility and affirmed the interest generated by the story narrated by Mattison.
The reception at festivals also helped consolidate the international positioning of Mil y Una Historias and Fernando Monzón, demonstrating that productions capable of competing in the leading documentary circuits of the world can indeed be launched from Aragón.
The Importance of Movistar Plus+ for Expanding the Audience
Streaming platforms have become the main showcase for contemporary documentary cinema. Their ability to reach mass audiences allows productions that previously remained confined to festivals or specialized circuits to find new viewers.
“The inclusion of Petro in the Movistar Plus+ catalog represents a decisive step in the commercial life of the documentary and significantly broadens its reach in Spain and other markets where the platform operates,” highlights Monzón, who also acknowledges that this milestone occurs “at a time of renewed interest in Latin American politics and the changes experienced in Colombia in recent years.”
For Mil y Una Historias and Fernando Monzón, this inclusion also represents recognition for the work developed over the years to carry forward a complex, international production that is deeply linked to one of the most significant political events on the American continent.
With Gustavo Petro’s figure now part of recent Colombian political history, the documentary acquires additional value as a period piece. It is a work that not only helps to understand the rise of a political leader but also showcases the capability of an Aragonese production company and a Spanish producer to drive an audiovisual project with international repercussions.
The arrival of Petro to Movistar Plus+ confirms that great stories can emerge from anywhere and that Aragón continues to establish itself as a region capable of generating audiovisual projects with global impact.
