The Disney+ platform has begun filming 'Operación Baby', a four-episode miniseries that reconstructs the kidnapping of little Mélodie Nakachian in 1987, a case that shocked Spain.
Disney+ has started filming Operación Baby, a miniseries that recreates the high-profile kidnapping of Mélodie Nakachian, which occurred in Marbella in 1987. The case kept all of Spain on edge for eleven days and generated unprecedented media coverage. The production, led by filmmaker Javier Ruiz Caldera, is structured into four 45-minute episodes and features an international cast headed by Vincent Pérez and Rosa Escoda.
The kidnapping that paralysed Marbella and all of Spain
The plot is set in the epicentre of luxury on the Costa del Sol, where the Nakachian family lived: Raymond, a successful Lebanese businessman; Kimera, a Korean princess and opera singer; and their children Amir and Mélodie. According to the official synopsis, the family's life was filled with lavish parties and eccentricities until one morning a group of strangers kidnapped little Mélodie, demanding a million-dollar ransom. The case shocked the nation and placed Spain in the international spotlight.
"The life of the Nakachians revolves around lavish parties and eccentricities typical of the time in Marbella until one morning their whole world comes crashing down," explains the official synopsis from Disney+.
For the residents of Marbella, this event marked a turning point in the perception of safety in the area. The city, known for its glamour, suddenly found itself at the centre of a media crime that changed the way events were covered in Spain. The series promises to reflect that local impact and how the community experienced those days of anguish.
Three perspectives on the same case
The miniseries approaches the kidnapping from three angles: inside the Nakachian mansion, the shock of Spanish society and its media repercussions, and the police intricacies involving the Spanish Government. Disney+ highlights that it was one of the first times a near-live broadcast was experienced on national television. Authorities mobilised a large police operation, including specialised units and the GEO.
Filming is currently taking place in locations in Madrid and Málaga, aiming to faithfully recreate the settings of the time. For viewers in the Community of Madrid, the series offers additional interest by showcasing iconic places in the region that were part of the investigation. The vice president of original production at Disney+ Spain, Sofía Fábregas, stated: "With Operación Baby, we continue to bet on stories that connect with our audience. It is a project with a unique perspective on an event that marked an entire society."
"With Operación Baby, we continue to bet on stories that connect with our audience," said Sofía Fábregas, vice president of original production at Disney+ Spain.
The series is part of Disney+'s strategy to invest in true crime stories, seeking narratives rooted in collective memory. The premiere is expected soon on the platform's catalogue, although a specific date has not yet been announced. Subscribers will be able to follow the series on Hulu, Disney+'s adult content brand.
For those interested in the history of Marbella and true crimes, this production represents an opportunity to revisit one of the most shocking cases in Spanish crime reporting. The series promises not only to entertain but also to provide a social snapshot of Spain in the 1980s.
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