‘Campeonex’: Filming wrapped on ‘Campeones’ sequel

In 2018, ‘Campeones’ was released, a Spanish comedy-drama that introduced us to a basketball team made up of people with disabilities. It eventually won three Goya Awards in the categories of Best Film, Best New Actor and Best Original Song, and was very well received by both audiences and critics., so it wasn’t something unusual that a sequel was announced in development. Entitled “Campeonex”, the second episode of this basketball team has just finished filming after about nine weeks of filming in different parts of the Community of Madrid.

At the helm is Javier Fesser, director and co-writer of the first film. He is also responsible for the script of “Campeonex”, but this time he does it together with Athenea Mata, actress who played Sonia in ‘Campeones’. Fesser, winner of seven Goya Awards and an Oscar nominee for his short film “Binta and the Big Idea,” shared his feelings about the new installment during filming: “Making this film has been a true privilege. We are working with the most gifted people in the universe to make us cry with laughter as they move us with their overwhelming humanity. ‘Campionex’ is a journey filled with new characters, each more delightful, and situations full of tenderness, humour, sport and lots and lots and lots of action”.

Sergio Olmo, Jesús Lago, José de Luna, Jesús Vidal, Fran Fuentes, Gloria Ramos, Alberto Nieto, Roberto Chinchilla, Stefan López, protagonists of ‘Campeones’ and members of the basketball team, reprise their roles for ‘Campeonex’, but They won’t be alone, new names have been written into the story that will give plenty to talk about. The film, produced by Luis Manso for Películas Pendelton and Alvaro Longoria for Morena Films, does not yet have a release date. ‘Campeonex’ sees the participation of Movistar Plus+ and RTVE.

Inspired by real events

Sometimes the magic of cinema is so strong that it can have a big impact in the real world, but other times it is the magic of our reality that seeps into fiction. Such is the case with the acclaimed film ‘Champions’, the story of which is based on true events. The source of this inspiration was the Aderes Burjassot basketball team, a Valencian sports association that won twelve Spanish championships between 1999 and 2014.

In “Campeones”, Marco (“Javier Gutiérrez”), a professional basketball coach, is fired from his team for misconduct. Angry and under the influence of alcohol, Marco is responsible for a car accident that earns him a hefty fine. He must choose between 18 months in prison or 90 days of community service coaching a basketball team made up of people with various disabilities. You will choose the second option, which you will not readily accept at first, but over time you will realize how much you can learn from this group of people.

‘Champions’ it is Available on Prime Video and RTVE Play.