Alejandro Amenábar’s Historical Epic ‘The Captive’ Captures Pre-Sales as Disney Dates Spanish Release (EXCLUSIVE)

Film Constellation has revealed the first pre-sales on historical epic “The Captive” by director Alejandro Amenábar, who won an Oscar for “The Sea Inside” and was BAFTA nominated for “The Others.”

“The Captive” sold to France (Haut et Court), Greece and Cyprus (Filmtrade/Tanweer), Portugal (Nos Audiovisuais), Bulgaria (Pro Films), Former Yugoslavia (Discovery), and CIS (Russian World Vision), with buyers circling in North America.

The film, which shot last year on locations in Valencia, Alicante and Seville in Spain, is now in post-production. It has been dated for release in Spanish theaters on Oct. 17 with Disney. Film Constellation is unveiling the first promo for buyers during the European Film Market.

“The Captive” centers on the origin story of a young Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the novel “Don Quixote,” as he was taken captive at the age of 28 by the Moors in Algiers.

The film is set in 1575. Miguel de Cervantes, a wounded 28-year-old Spanish navy soldier, is held prisoner by Ottoman corsairs in Algiers. Faced with a ticking clock, a cruel death awaits him should his fellow countrymen fail to pay his ransom soon; but within the confines of his cell, Cervantes discovers a surprising refuge – the art of storytelling.

His stories enthrall his fellow captives, and capture the attention of Hasan, the enigmatic and feared Bey of Algiers, igniting an affinity between captor and captive. Suspicions rise amidst growing tensions in the city, and Cervantes, driven by an unwavering sense of optimism, devises a daring plan for freedom.

Julio Peña (“Berlin,” “Through My Window”) stars alongside Alessandro Borghi (“The Eight Mountains,” “Supersex”), with cinematography by Alex Catalán, production design by Juan Pedro de Gaspar, costume design by Nicoletta Taranta, editing by Carolina Martínez, visual effects by Ana Rubio, and music by Amenábar.

The film is produced by Fernando Bovaira at Mod Producciones, Himenóptero and Misent Producciones in co-production with Propaganda Italia, with the participation of Netflix, RTVE and RAI Cinema, and the support of ICAA, Generalitat Valenciana and Eurimages.