Amor real

Amor Real (Real Love)[nb 1] is a Mexican telenovela, which was produced and broadcast by Televisa in 2003. Amor Real is a historical telenovela set in the Mexican post-independence period of the mid-19th century.[1][2] The telenovela aired on Univision in the United States, REN TV in Russia, and La 1 in Spain, among others. It was successfully distributed to many countries worldwide.[2] Also, in 2005, Amor real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles.[3] Televisa has released an abridged DVD version of the novela in several countries.[4]

Amor real
DVD cover of Amor real
Genre	Telenovela
Created by	María Zarattini
Based on	Bodas de odio by Caridad Bravo Adams
Written by	Víctor Manuel Medina
Directed by	Eric Morales Monica Miguel
Starring	Adela Noriega Fernando Colunga Mauricio Islas Helena Rojo
Music by	Jorge Avendaño
Opening theme	"Amor real" by Sin Bandera
Country of origin	Mexico
Original language(s)	Spanish
No. of episodes	95
Production
Executive producer(s)	Carla Estrada
Producer(s)	Arturo Lorca
Cinematography	Jesús Acuña Alejandro Frutos
Editor(s)	Juan Franco Luis Horacio Valdés
Production company(s)	Televisa
Release
Original network	Canal de las Estrellas
Picture format	480i SDTV
Audio format	Stereophonic sound
Original release	June 9 (2003-06-09) – October 17, 2003 (2003-10-17)
Chronology
Preceded by	Las vías del amor
Followed by	Mariana de la noche
Related shows	Lo que la vida me robó Bodas de odio

The cast and the crew of the telenovela received many accolades, including TVyNovelas Award for Best Telenovela, in 2004.

Overview

In the mid-19th century, in a time of Victorian morality, challenging the rules of the aristocracy to which she belongs, Matilde Peñalver y Beristáin, falls in love with Adolfo Solís, an army soldier with no fortune; trusting that her father, Hilario - a fair and kind man - will let her marry him. But her mother, Augusta, is determined to force Matilde to marry a rich man in order to save the family from bankruptcy. Manuel Fuentes Guerra is the perfect candidate. He is an honorable and handsome young man who has just inherited a vast fortune. Augusta ignores the fact that Manuel is the illegitimate son of Joaquín Fuentes Guerra, a powerful landlord who raped a native girl, and who only recognized Manuel as his heir on his deathbed.

Using all kinds of intrigues, the Augusta and her son Humberto send Adolfo to prison and convince Matilde to believe that he is married and has children. Overwhelmed and in despair, Matilde surrenders to her mother's pressure and agrees to marry Manuel, especially after she learns that he has paid the family's debts. Adolfo escapes from jail and immediately goes to look for his beloved Matilde, who has just married Manuel. Desperate, Adolfo manages to secretly speak with Matilde to clarify the misunderstandings. Swearing they will love each other forever, they decide to run away, but Manuel discovers them. Deeply hurt, Manuel is not willing to give her up. He forces her to leave with him, despite her love for Adolfo. After arriving at Manuel's hacienda, Matilde has to put up with Antonia, the former administrator's daughter, who is in love with Manuel.

Meanwhile, Adolfo, after an intense and frantic search finds Matilde and, intending to bring her back, poses as Manuel's new administrator. Manuel, unaware of Adolfo's real identity, sympathizes with him and gives him a special, friendly treatment. In spite of the situation, Adolfo has to admit that Manuel is a noble, fair man. At that point, Manuel and Matilde discover that they have been victims of Augusta and Humberto's deceit. As time goes by, the subtle attention and Manuel's avid desire end up conquering Matilde's heart. Suddenly one day, she realizes that the love she felt for Adolfo has disappeared and that she fell in love with Manuel. Matilde tells Adolfo the truth and urges him to leave.

Heartbroken, Adolfo accepts his reality and leaves the ranch the same day Matilde announces to her husband that she's pregnant. The couple's happiness does not last long. Manuel discovers who his new administrator was and, in an instant, everything falls apart. Matilde's pleas and explanations cannot convince Manuel, he feels betrayed once again and cannot forgive her. Driven by anger, Manuel doubts his paternity and throws Matilde out of the hacienda. Soon after that, he starts a compromising relationship with Antonia that will later make his reconciliation with Matilde more difficult.[5]

Cast

Main article: List of Amor real characters

• Adela Noriega as Matilde Peñalver y Beristáin de Fuentes Guerra
• Fernando Colunga as Manuel Fuentes Guerra
• Mauricio Islas as Adolfo Solís / Felipe Santamaría
• Helena Rojo as Augusta Curiel de Peñalver y Beristáin
• Ernesto Laguardia as Humberto Peñalver y Beristáin
• Ana Martín as Rosario Aranda
• Chantal Andere as Antonia Morales,
• Mariana Levy as Josefina de Icaza
• Ana Bertha Espín as Prudencia Curiel
• Beatriz Sheridan as Damiana
• Mario Iván Martínez as Renato Piquet
• Mauricio Herrera as Urbano de las Casas
• Oscar Bonfiglio as Sixto Valdez
• Adalberto Parra as Delfino Pérez
• Héctor Saez as Silvano Arzola
• Kika Edgar as Catalina Heredia de Solís
• Ingrid Martz as Pilar Piquet de Márquez

Production

"The work of our extremely dedicated cast and crew, along with the extraordinary collection of visual elements — lighting, camera work, custom-made wardrobe, attention to detail — allows the viewers to experience the characters' emotions and also transport themselves completely to another era."

Carla Estrada[2]

• Amor Real is an adaptation of the telenovela, Bodas de odio, from 1983, based on the novel of the same name, written by Caridad Bravo Adams.[6] For this version it was adapted by the Italian writer, María Zarattini.[7]
• The telenovela was filmed at the ex-hacienda of Tetlapayac and the surrounding area in the state of Hidalgo for a lapse of eight months. Because the story takes place in mid-19th century Mexico, sets of buildings and plazas had to be built.
• The production, required the participation of over 1,000 actors, extras, technicians and artisans.[2]
• Jorge Avendaño Lührs, Mexican pianist and composer, composed the original score (incidental music).
• The opening theme, "Amor Real", was written and performed by the former Mexico-based duo, Sin Bandera.

Reception

Mexico's television ratings

Timeslot	# Ep.	Premiere		Finale		Rank	Season	Rating average
		Date	Premiere Rating	Date	Finale Rating
Mondays—Fridays 9:00pm	95	June 9, 2003	26.5[8][9]	October 17, 2003	43.1[8][10]	#1[8]	2003-04	29.4[11]

While on the air in Mexico, the telenovela registered very high ratings, especially in the final weeks of its airing when the telenovela showed an average of 35 points.[11] During the whole five-month run in Mexico, it remained on the #1 spot,[8] with a 60% market share, as reported by Ibope Mexico.[12] Due to the enormous popularity of Amor Real, the entire telenovela was reruned for the second time after a public demand, only four months after the original airing finalized.[13]

International success

Besides the success in Mexico and Latin America, Amor Real was internationally successful, too.[2] When the telenovela aired during prime time on Univision, it frequently managed to beat leading U.S. networks in the ratings.[3][14] The series aired on Univision in the U.S. with no subtitles, however. It ranks among Univision’s highest rated telenovelas of all time.[15] The telenovela also had successful results when it aired in Spain, on the Spanish national television, TVE, where it was shown in the afternoon, in 2005.[16][17] In 2005, Amor Real was released on DVD and it became the first telenovela to be released with English subtitles.[3] The DVD release had very successful sales in the U.S.[18][19] The international DVD release of the telenovela, also included countries such as Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Italy and Spain.[4]

Awards and nominations

Here are some of the nominations and wins for Amor Real:

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result
2003	Gold Khalifa Awards[20]	Best Telenovela	—	Won
		Best Leading Actress	Adela Noriega	Won
		Best Leading Actor	Fernando Colunga	Won
		Best First Actress	Ana Martín	Won
		Best First Actress	Beatriz Sheridan	Won
		Best Female Antagonist	Chantal Andere	Won
		Best Male Antagonist	Mauricio Islas	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Ana Bertha Espín	Won
		Best Supporting Actor	Ernesto Laguardia	Won
		Best Co-Star Actress	Mariana Levy	Won
		Best Co-Star Actor	Mario Iván Martínez	Won
		Best Co-Star Actor	Rafael Rojas	Won
		Best Director	Mónica Miguel	Won
		Best Direction of the Cameras	Alejandro Frutos	Won
		Best Television Script	María Zarattini	Won
	Harlequin Award[21]	Best Producer	Carla Estrada	Won
	The National Association of Broadcasters of Mexico AC[21]	Golden Microphone Award	Carla Estrada	Won
	Círculo Nacional de Periodistas en México[21]	Palmas de Oro	—	Won
2004	TVyNovelas Awards[22]	Best Telenovela of the Year	Carla Estrada	Won
		Best Leading Actress	Adela Noriega	Won
		Best Leading Actor	Fernando Colunga	Won
		Best First Actress	Ana Martín	Won
		Best First Actor	Carlos Cámara	Won
		Best Female Antagonist	Chantal Andere	Nominated
		Best Male Antagonist	Mauricio Islas	Nominated
		Best Young Lead Actress	Ingrid Martz	Nominated
		Best Co-Star Actress	Ana Bertha Espín	Won
		Best Co-Star Actor	Ernesto Laguardia	Won
		Best Direction	Mónica Miguel Eric Morales (dir. on location)	Nominated
		Best Original Story or Adaptation	María Zarattini	Won
		Best Musical Theme	Sin Bandera (composers: Leonel García and Noel Schajris)	Nominated
	Bravo Award	Best Telenovela	—	Won
	ACE Awards[21]	Best Telenovela	Carla Estrada	Won
		Best Television Actress	Adela Noriega	Won
		Best Television Actor	Fernando Colunga	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Ana Martín	Won
		Best Supporting Actor	Ernesto Laguardia	Won
		Best Direction	Mónica Miguel Eric Morales	Won
	Golden Laurel Awards[23][24]	Best Telenovela	—	Won
		Best Television Actress	Adela Noriega	Won
		Best Television Actor	Fernando Colunga	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Ana Martín	Won
		Best Supporting Actor	Mario Iván Martínez	Won
		Award for Artistic Trayectory	Helena Rojo	Won
		Award for Artistic Trayectory	Mauricio Herrera	Won
	Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana[21]	Special Accolade	—	Won
	Golden Sun Awards[nb 2]	Best Production	Carla Estrada	Won
		Best Direction	Mónica Miguel	Won
		Best Adaptation	María Zarattini	Won
		Best Leading Actress	Adela Noriega	Won
		Best Leading Actor	Fernando Colunga	Won
		Best Female Antagonist	Maya Mishalska	Won
		Best Male Antagonist	Mauricio Islas	Won
		Best First Actress	Helena Rojo	Won
		Best First Actor	Mauricio Herrera	Won
	100 Mexicanos dijeron[21]	VIP Award	—	Won
	Principios Award[21]	Special Accolade	—	Won
2005	Plaza de las Estrellas[21]	Luminaria de Oro	—	Won
			Carla Estrada	Won
	Festival Internacional de Cine Las Garzas	Special Accolade	—	Won

Notes

1. Also dubbed as Real Love in English.
2. Amor Real won 25 Sol de Oro Awards that are bestowed by the Mexico's National Association of Journalists. It won in all categories.[25][26]

References

1. ""Amor real", la nueva serie romántica de La 1 para la sobremesa estival" (in Spanish). invertia.com. 2012-07-18. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
2. "Univision Debuts 'Amor Real' - an Unforgettable Love Story of Epic Proportions; Sweeping Tale Set in Turbulent 19th Century Mexico". Business Wire. October 19, 2004. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
3. Singer, Paola (August 22, 2005). "'Telenovelas' Become A Vibrant New Niche In the DVD Market". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
4. Tijerino, Carlos (February 3, 2006). "El DVD de 'Amor Real' rompe récord" (in Spanish). Esmas. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
5. "La 1 recupera el misterio, la venganza y la pasión con 'Amor Real'". RTVE (in Spanish). 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
6. Sanchez, Claudia (2010-09-15). "Telenovelas basadas en la literatura" (in Spanish). Aol Latino. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
7. Salgado, Ivett (2011-03-12). "Antepone María Zarattini la originalidad en sus historias". Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
8. "Amor Real alcanza súper rating" (in Spanish). Terra México. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
9. "Amor Real tuvo mayor rating a nivel nacional; Mirada de mujer, en el DF". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 2003-06-11. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
10. "Telenovelas en 2011, la Crisis de los Ratings" (in Spanish). homozapping.com.mx. 2011-12-28. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
11. "Audience history of primetime telenovelas in Mexico (1997-2007)" (PDF). IBOPE. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
12. Morales, Magaly (October 29, 2003). "Brazil's First Televised Lesbian Kiss Brings Record Ratings For Globo". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
13. "Datos biográficos" (in Spanish). esmas.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
14. Cabot, Heather (January 15, 2006). "Romance! Revenge! Telenovelas Draw U.S. Viewers". ABC News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
15. Univision.com (June 28, 2013). "Univision tlnovelas Network Premieres Epic Love Story "Amor Real" – One of the Most Successful Telenovelas of All Time". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
16. "Último capítulo de "Amor real" en la tarde de La Primera" (in Spanish). vertele.com. July 18, 2005. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
17. "El day time de TVE1 gana con Televisa" (in Spanish). tvmasmagazine.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
18. Flores, Angelique (November 2005). "Novelas Are Caliente". ebscohost.com. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
19. "La telenovela Amor Real rompe récords de venta en Estados Unidos en su versión DVD" (in Spanish). azteca21.com. February 6, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
20. "Arrasa 'Amor Real' con premios". Terra.com.mx (in Spanish). 2007-04-09. Archived from the original on 2003-11-19. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
21. "Awards and acknowledgments". carlaestrada.com. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
22. ""Amor Real" arrasó con 9 trofeos". ImageShack (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
23. "Estrellas del espectáculo recibieron Laurel de Oro". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 2005-08-27. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
24. "Carla Estrada y 'Amor Real' reciben 'Laurel de Oro'". premiolaureldeoro.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
25. "The highly rated television run concludes March 4th" (PDF). Xenon Pictures. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
26. "Enamorados de Amor Real". Univision.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2005-02-23. Retrieved 2011-10-29.

External links

Official sites

• Amor real at esmas.com (in Spanish)
• Amor real at Xenon Pictures

Profiles

• Amor real at terra.com (in Spanish)
• Amor real at univision.com (in Spanish)
• Amor real at Alma Latina
• Amor real on IMDb
• Photo Gallery at rtve.es

Soundtrack

• Amor Real, incidental music

Articles

• 10 cosas que no sabías de Amor Real at Univision.com (in Spanish)
• Torturas de antaño eran las modas de Amor Real at Univision.com (in Spanish)