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By Mark Muckenfuss

A pair of faculty members from Cal State Monterey Bay are the writers of the new Spanish-language Netflix series debuting April 22 and starring Paulina Dávila and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Luis Camara, chair of the Cinematic Arts and Technology department, and CART lecturer Gabrielle Galanter worked with director Rodrigo Garcia to develop the seven-part series. It is the first television foray for the duo.

Camara and Galanter have been writing partners for more than 20 years. They’ve been husband and wife for a few more than that.

Their relationship came right out of a movie – Camara’s first movie, in fact, where they worked together as actor and director on the short “Ex Voto,” which was Camara’s thesis film at the American Film Institute. A year later, they married and have been collaborating ever since, mostly as writers.

“We started writing together in 2002,” Camara said. “We’ve written a couple dozen screenplays and made two feature films (“Steel Trap” in 2007, and “Silencio” in 2014).” 

When it came to “Santita,” director Garcia said, “I can only congratulate myself for thinking about Luis and Gabrielle. They were very suited to this project, not because they’re just good writers, but they have a wicked sense of humor.”

They also had a feel for the main character, Santita, who is an anti-heroine, Garcia said.

“They understood immediately,” he said. They created “a character that came out to be very complex and unusual and tortured and likeable and a whole bunch of other things.” 

Garcia has extensive experience in film and television, having directed for multiple shows, including the HBO series “In Treatment,” and whose work includes the films “Familia” and “The Follies” for Netflix. 

Landing Bernal was a bit of a coup. Camara said the actor came aboard, in large part, because he was interested in working with Garcia as well as Dávila, a longtime friend. 

“We were so thrilled,” Galanter said of Bernal joining the cast. “That was a wonderful, wonderful, happy event.”

Bernal, who starred in such films as “The Motorcycle Diaries” and “Babel,” also starred in “You’re Killing Me, Susana,” a 2016 Spanish-language film that Camara co-wrote and for which he received an Ariel Award nomination for best adapted screenplay. But the two had never met until Bernal appeared on the set of “Santita.” Camara said the Mexican actor brought an added energy to the production. 

“He elevates every scene he’s in,” Camara said. “He steps in front of the camera and, suddenly, it’s a movie.”

“When you see someone of that caliber,” added Galanter, “it’s like, ‘Oh, I see. I see what a star is.’”

Dávila brought her own strengths to the lead role. Camara calls her a “force of nature.”

She plays Santita, a medical doctor who was left a paraplegic after a car accident. Shortly thereafter, she leaves the love of her life at the wedding altar. When that same man reenters her world 20 years later, she must deal with the consequences of her actions. Her name is ironic in that she is far more sinner than saint. That complexity led Camara and Galanter to fall in love with the character while writing the script.

“She’s someone who takes over any room she comes into,” Camara said. “She always has to have the last word. She’s very humane. She uses her medical skills to help people, but at the same time, she raises hell.”

Dávila, he said, was a perfect fit for the role. 

“Paulina had incredible instincts for the character,” he said. “And not just anyone can go head-to-head with Gael.”

Camara characterized the series as “an irreverent comedy, despite being very dramatic at moments. It asks the question, ‘How far will you go for the person you love?’”

Both he and Galanter feel “Santita” is the best work they’ve done to date. 

James Hussar, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said having faculty engaged in the community and industry is good for students.

“Luis and Gabrielle exemplify how [our] faculty excel not only as teachers, but also as scholars and artists in their respective disciplines,” Hussar said. “Their success enhances the visibility and reputation of the CART program while enriching the classroom experience. As excited as I am for Luis and Gabrielle, I'm equally excited for the students who will benefit from their instructors' authentic industry insights and professional networks.”

Camara said CART program faculty have had significant success in the film industry, mentioning colleagues Meghan O’Hara, who had a film shown at the Sundance Film Festival, and Ryan White, who was accepted into a film festival in Rotterdam. 

Seeing those accomplishments, he said, “legitimizes you and makes the experience better for the students. It helps, if you have a hands-on program, to have hands-on instructors.”

Galanter said it improves the student experience. 

“Anything you do professionally is one more way of illuminating a point you’re trying to make in the classroom,” she said. “It also reminds you of why you love this profession in the first place. And that enthusiasm comes across to the students.”

Those students, they say, have been asking about the “Santita” series, and they are hoping to have a screening on campus after the Netflix debut. 

A screening of the first two episodes and a Q&A with Camara and Galanter is planned at 7 p.m. April 23, in CAHSS 1401. The campus community is invited to attend.