As The Saying Goes

Synopsis

A saying or proverb is a behavioral guideline or generalized description of an everyday event; a synthesis of the wisdom that is used by common people everywhere. So much in fact, that quite often the same saying is equally understood in Mexico, Spain, Germany, Italy, and many other countries.  

Sayings are a constant part of our lives, always ready to jump in at the slightest provocation. Sayings or proverbs can be applied to virtually every situation in our life; there seems to be one for every occasion. There is probably no one who hasn’t, at some point, used a saying to explain, justify, or condemn a certain person or event.

Even though they are open to different interpretations, each proverb or saying has a precise meaning and can be applied only to certain situations. It follows then that, logically and naturally, when we hear a certain saying we immediately think of an appropriate situation and a story that may lie behind it. This is the basis for proposing this TV series called “Como dice el dicho…” (As the saying goes…), which aims to create the vast number of stories that these proverbs can inspire; stories that will surely captivate the audience, because in each episode, characters and viewers will establish an immediate rapport.

Don Tomas a kind man in his sixties who owns the cozy "Café DEL DICHO AL HECHO” (“The Fine Words Cafe”), and his granddaughter Isabel, 18, who helps him run the place, will be our hosts for the stories that are linked to the proverbs. The café´s special feautures are its white walls, where customers are welcome to write any saying or proverb they choose to express the current situation in their lives; each proverb will be the synthesis of a person’s story, a different one for each episode.

Every story will begin with the first part of the saying or proverb being written on the wall of the café, either by Don Tomas, Isabel, a customer, or appearing spontaneously through special effects. After this, the dramatization of the story begins and, after the conclusion, we return to the café for the final reflection or epilogue of the episode, which ends with the proverb being completed on the wall.

The possibilities for stories will be enormous, always within the melodrama genre, with shadings that will range from touches of light comedy to the deepest, most searing drama. Nonetheless, as varied as the dramatic treatment of the stories might be, the underlying intention will invariably be to end each show on a positive note. Not only will the viewer have been entertained for an hour, but even if the topic has been intensely dramatic, there will always be an outcome that will point to a happy resolution to the conflict, no matter how difficult the problem might appear.    

Each episode´s title will be only the first half of a saying, since the viewer will automatically complete the saying in his or her head. Following along this line, a show might start with the title “He who serves two masters…”, and in the end the concluding half will flash on the screen: …will invariably fall short with one. Strictly speaking, each saying embodies the central theme of the episode and fulfills the expectations of the audience. But there are a number of sayings that are open to discussion and questioning, because they are expressed in absolute terms which are not always true in real life. One example of this “The leopard… doesn´t change its spots,” which negates any possibility of redemption. Therefore, in cases such as this, the concluding half will probably be couched in the form of a question: “The leopard… doesn´t change its spots?” By addressing a saying this way, we are leaving the door open to reinterpretation and updating, giving hope and eliminating the rigidity of outdated thinking.

By the same token, the unfinished saying Better alone… will lead us along the lines of the show to its conclusion: …than in bad company. The story can be about a teenager surrounded by people who are a bad influence on him and are driving him down a path of bad choices. It will most likely be a story where this young man will realize, on his own or with someone else’s help that it’s best to steer clear of these negative influences and seek out other, healthier ones.            

The above is just one example of the huge potential of deeply moving stories with positive life lessons that, can spring out from the wisdom of our everyday sayings and proverbs.

THE CAFE

A quaint coffee shop, with bookshelves filled with books and magazines, round tables with comfortable chairs, where coffee, tea, cakes and sandwiches are served. There are table games and Internet access available to customers. People of all sorts come here: from children and teenagers who do their homework, to ladies who chat and read magazines, and elderly retirees who are happy to spend their time here.      

Format

Mini-Series

885 x 60'

Drama

Credits

Created by: Vittoria Anna Zarattini and Jose Antonio Olvera Serrano - Executive Producer: Genoveva Martinez - Associate Producer and Stage & Camera Director: Emmanuel Duprez - Year: 2011-2018

Photo Gallery - Click to enlarge