‘Idols,’ directed by Mat Whitecross makes Cannes premiere
Announcing IDOLS — It’s lights out and away we go!
Film Mode Entertainment, 4 CATS Pictures, Warner Bros Pictures and Greenboo rev-up for the Cannes world market premiere of sport-action MotoGP™ feature film starring Óscar Casas, Ana Mena, Claudio Santamaria, directed by Mat Whitecross
CANNES – Film Mode Entertainment, 4 CATS Pictures and Warner Bros Pictures are thrilled to announce IDOLS (ÍDOLOS), a film about relationships, sports, tragedy, and human redemption.
IDOLS depicts how a fiery young motorcycle racer, Edu (Óscar Casas), throws away his shot at the junior championship in a reckless crash, only to receive a surprise offer from a coveted top Moto2™ team that gives him a chance at redemption.
But to claim it, he must train under his estranged father, Toni (Claudio Santamaria), a disgraced former world champion haunted by a tragic past. As the father and son battle personal demons, media scrutiny, and a ruthless racing circuit, their fractured bond is pushed to the limit by ambition, love, and the unforgiving speed of the sport. With a wildcard entry into MotoGP on the line, they must confront the wreckage of their relationship to seize a future—on and off the track.
“I am thrilled to be working with our friends at Warner Bros Pictures Spain and Italy and producers Jordi and Toni to bring this incredible film to audiences worldwide. The scope of action and excitement is unmatched, and this is the first time this thrilling sport has ever been dramatized on the big screen,” said Clay Epstein, President of Film Mode Entertainment.
The filming was undertaken in collaboration with with MotoGP right holder Dorna Sports. It lasted for 10 weeks and took place in various locations in Barcelona and Valencia as well as at world-renowned racetracks including the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Misano World Circuit in Italy, Motorland Aragon in Spain, Barcelona-Catalunya circuit near Barcelona, Jerez in Andalucia, Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan, and the Circuit Ricardo Torno in Valencia.
“I started ‘Idols’ 10 years ago in a totally unexpected way. I wanted to make a documentary about the risky life of a pilot. What makes them go at top speeds of more than 360 km/h and get up again and again after shocking crashes in which they really risk their lives. In my interview with Dorna, Manel Arroyo, who at the time was in charge of audiovisuals for the MotoGP promoter, told me: ‘Forget about documentaries. You make good films, why don’t you bring me ‘Days of Thunder’ on motorcycles?” said producer Jordi Gasull.
“Thus, the idea of ‘Idols’ was born, where thanks to Dorna, I was able to learn what the life of a rider is like. In that process I was not alone, Inma Cánovas has been my faithful companion in that journey of writing ‘Idols.’ The rest has been the result of our adventures together,” Gasull continued.
Film Mode Entertainment is repped by Lon Haber & Co | IPPR.
IDOLS, directed by Mat Whitecross, whose credits include The Road to Guantanamo, for which he was awarded Best Director at Berlinale in 2006, and Oasis: Supersonic, the film was written by Inma Cánovas, Jordi Gasull and Ricky Roxburgh, based on an original idea by Gasull.
Producers are Gasull (Mummies, Tad the Last Explorer) and Toni Novella (Pain and Glory, The Skin I Live In) of 4 CATS Pictures, Marco Belardi (Diamonds and Perfect Strangers) from Greenboo and Warner Bros. Pictures who will also be distributing the film in in Italy and Spain in 2025. Film Mode Entertainment is representing sales rights for the world excluding Spain and Italy and non-exclusively in North America, U.K. and Latin America and is presenting first look footage to buyers in Cannes.
The film is starring Óscar Casas (Mi soledad tiene alas, Últimas voluntades, HollyBlood, El sueño de Iván, The Orphanage), actress and multi-platinum award-winning singer, Ana Mena, who has appeared in films such as Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In and Celia Rico’s Viaje al cuarto de una madre, and in series such as ‘Welcome to Eden’, Claudio Santamaria (Casino Royale, They Call Me Jeeg), Enrique Arce (Knightfall, Money Heist) and Saul Nanni (The Leopard, Brado, Here Now), Mario Ermito (Ask Me What You Want, Elite).
In addition, ‘ÍDOLOS’ is produced by 4 Cats Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment Spain, Mogambo Productions, Anangu Grup, Imperio Contraataca AIE, Warner Bros. Entertainment Italy, and Greenboo Production, with the participation of MAX and RTVE. It also has the support of the ICEC, funding from the ICAA, and the collaboration of MotoGP.
About MotoGP
Welcome to the most exciting sport on earth. The fastest bikes. The most forward-thinking manufacturers. The world’s most fearless riders. This is the hunt, and there can only be one winner. Come with us to the edge of possibility and the edge of your seat.
MotoGP. Faster. Forward. Fearless.
About Film Mode Entertainment
Film Mode Entertainment (FME) is a leading worldwide sales agent, production entity, and distribution company. Founded in 2016 by Clay Epstein, a veteran sales agent with over 20 years of independent film experience, FME represents projects at all stages of the filmmaking process, often as Executive Producer, helping producers and distributors achieve maximum exposure for their films. FME has been dedicated to bridging the gap between filmmakers and audiences since its inception. It has been at the forefront of this movement, providing a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and reach a wider audience. The company raises the bar for feature films by nurturing high-quality, engaging commercially viable movies and bringing them to the global marketplace with great success. Film Mode Entertainment also has its own distribution arm, as well as a documentary label, DocMode. Previous releases include Mayim Bialik’s feature directorial debut, As They Made Us, starring two-time Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman, Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award-winner Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg and Dianna Agron, Crypto starring Kurt Russell, Luke Hemsworth and Alexis Bledel, Stage Mother starring Academy Award-nominee Jacki Weaver, Lucy Liu, and Adrian Grenier, The Good Neighbor starring Academy Award-nominee James Caan, Little Pink House starring a two-time Academy Award-nominee Catherine Keener, and An Imperfect Murder starring Alec Baldwin and Sienna Miller. Film Mode Entertainment’s recent titles include Sitges Film Festival award-winner The Last Stop In Yuma County directed by Francis Gallupi (Evil Dead Franchise), Diablo starring Scott Adkins, and Laws of Man starring Harvey Keitel and Dermot Mulroney. For more information visit www.filmmmodeentertainment.com.
About 4 CATS Pictures
Founded in 2013, 4 CATS Pictures first feature-length animated film was Capture the Flag by Enrique Gato (2015), a co-production with Telecinco Cinema, Telefónica Studios, Ikiru Films and Lightbox Entertainment. This was the third most successful film of the year in Spain in terms of box office takings, winning major awards such as the 2016 Goya for the Best Animated Film, el 2016 Premio Gaudí for the Best Animated Film and the 2016 Premio Platino for the Best Animated Film. The company’s second production, once again in association with Telecinco Cinema, Telefónica Studios, Ikiru Films and Lightbox Entertainment, was Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas, the most successful film of the year in Spain. Among other awards, he was awarded the 2018 Goya for the Best Animation Film, the 2018 Premio Gaudí for the Best Animation Film and the 2018 Premio Platinum for the Best Animation Film.
In 2018, 4 CATS Pictures produced with Ikiru Films the thriller “El Pacto” (David Victori), starring Belén Rueda and Dario Grandinetti and distributed by Sony Pictures. In 2020 released “Malasaña 32” (Alberto Pintó), co-produced with Atresmedia Cine, Bambú Producciones, Mr. Fields and Friends and Warner Bros. Spain, and also “El verano que vivimos” (Carlos Sedes), a story of love, friendship and betrayal starring Blanca Suárez, Javier Rey and Pablo Molinero. The film is co-produced with Mr. Fields and Friends, Atresmedia Cinema, Warner Bros. Entertainment Spain, Bambú Producciones and La Claqueta.
In 2022, released “Live is life. La gran aventura” (Dani de la Torre), a youth comedy with a script by Albert Espinosa that 4 CATS co-produced with Atresmedia Cine and Live is life AIE. Distribution was handled by Warner Bros.
2023 is the year of “Mummies”, its next animated film, whose premiere is made worldwide, becoming the first Spanish film with the highest cinematographic distribution from a Hollywood studio. “Mummies” is an adventure family comedy. Animation was made at Core Animation Studios and distributed by Warner Bros.
In August 2024 “Buffalo Kids” hit the screens and became in its first weekend one of the ten highest grossing Spanish films of 2024. “Buffalo Kids” is a story by Jordi Gasull and Javier Barreira based on the short story ‘Cuerdas’ by Pedro Solís.
4 CATS’ next animation project is “Dreams”, which it is developing with its usual animation studio Core Animation.
As a live action film, 4 CATS PICTURES is currently shooting “Ídolos”, an action movie set in the MotoGP universe. “Ídolos” is a production of 4 CATS, Warner Bros. Spain, Warner Bros. Italy, Mogambo, Anangu Grup, Greenboo and El Imperio Contraataca AIE.
About Warner Bros. Pictures
WARNER BROS. PICTURES has supported and promoted the Spanish and Italian film industries since 2023, participating in some of the biggest successes of Spanish and Italian cinema both at the box office and in terms of awards and recognition. It is responsible for the production and distribution of between six and eight Spanish and Italian titles a year, betting on diversity of genres, established and emerging talents, and promoting the international projection of its projects.
Among its most successful projects are films such as “The Orphanage”, “The Invisible Guest”, “The Impossible”, “Palm Trees in the Snow”, “A Stroke of Luck”, “Marshland”, “The Candidate”.
At the helm of its most notable titles are directors of the caliber of Pedro Almodóvar, Fernando González Molina, Juan Antonio Bayona, Guillermo del Toro, Alberto Rodríguez, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Álex de la Iglesia, Enrique Urbizu, Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, Daniel Guzmán, Damián Szifron, Dani de la Torre, Oriol Paulo, Santiago Segura, and Italian directors such as Paolo Sorrentino, Giuseppe Tornatore and Ferzan Ozpetek among others.
Additionally, WARNER BROS. PICTURES is also committed to international projects with Spanish and Italian participation such as “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “El Clan,” “Wild Tales,” and “The Great Beauty.”
In 2023, WARNER BROS. PICTURES released the animated film “Mummies”, a box office success both inside and outside Spain; being the Spanish film with the biggest international distribution. In addition to “Como Dios manda” starring Leo Harlem, “Me he hecho viral” directed by Jorge Coira and starring Blanca Suárez; or “Saben Aquell,” a film based on the life of the comedian Eugenio, which received 11 Goya Award nominations. In Italy, notable releases include the successful franchise “Me Contro Te,” and film “Tre di Troppo”by Fabio de Luigi, “La Scuola Cattolica” by Stefano Mordini, “L’Immensità” by Emanuele Crialese and “Home Education” by A. Niadia.
In 2024, the animated film “Buffalo Kids”, the big screen adaptation of the novel written by Megan Maxwell “Ask Me What You Want;” and “Without Instructions” starring Paco León and Silvia Alonso were released. In Italy, “Come far litigare Mamma e Papà” by G. Ansanelli, and “Una terapia di gruppo” by Paolo Costella were released in 2024.
