Behind the Scenes of Netflix’s ‘One Hundred Years Of Solitude’
The Significance of Aracataca and Colombian Talent
Netflix's adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of Latin America's most ambitious productions, deeply anchored in the Colombian landscape and culture. The adaptation honors the legacy of Marquez by grounding the series in the real-life inspiration for his fictional town of Macondo: Aracataca, Garcia Marquez’s birthplace.
Aracataca, a town located near the Caribbean coast of Colombia, played a crucial role in shaping Garcia Marquez’s vision of Macondo. The production aimed to capture the essence of this region, ensuring the series remained true to the spirit of the novel. Francisco Ramos, Netflix’s vice president of Latin American content, highlighted the importance of this authenticity: “It had to be in Spanish... And of course, (Garcia Marquez's family) felt very strongly that we should shoot in Colombia. So did we.”
To recreate the world of One Hundred Years of Solitude, the production built a lifesize set in Alvarado, in the Andean plains, to mirror the transformation of Macondo from a small settlement to a thriving community. This set became a character in itself, deeply influenced by the lush, biodiverse regions near Aracataca that inspired Marquez’s magical realism.
Local artisans and craftspeople played a vital role in bringing the town of Macondo to life. Over 200 Colombian artisans contributed to constructing the Buendia family home and other essential buildings, ensuring that every detail was reflective of the time and region. They crafted period-specific furniture, baskets, and musical instruments, drawing inspiration from Indigenous communities and local traditions that Garcia Marquez would have known.
The production’s Colombian crew ensured that every aspect of the series reflected the country’s rich culture and history. By focusing on Aracataca’s influence and utilizing the talents of Colombian writers, designers, and craftspeople, Netflix’s adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude remains a faithful homage to the world Gabriel Garcia Marquez created, rooted deeply in the Caribbean heart of Colombia.
Aracataca, a town located near the Caribbean coast of Colombia, played a crucial role in shaping Garcia Marquez’s vision of Macondo. The production aimed to capture the essence of this region, ensuring the series remained true to the spirit of the novel. Francisco Ramos, Netflix’s vice president of Latin American content, highlighted the importance of this authenticity: “It had to be in Spanish... And of course, (Garcia Marquez's family) felt very strongly that we should shoot in Colombia. So did we.”
To recreate the world of One Hundred Years of Solitude, the production built a lifesize set in Alvarado, in the Andean plains, to mirror the transformation of Macondo from a small settlement to a thriving community. This set became a character in itself, deeply influenced by the lush, biodiverse regions near Aracataca that inspired Marquez’s magical realism.
Local artisans and craftspeople played a vital role in bringing the town of Macondo to life. Over 200 Colombian artisans contributed to constructing the Buendia family home and other essential buildings, ensuring that every detail was reflective of the time and region. They crafted period-specific furniture, baskets, and musical instruments, drawing inspiration from Indigenous communities and local traditions that Garcia Marquez would have known.
The production’s Colombian crew ensured that every aspect of the series reflected the country’s rich culture and history. By focusing on Aracataca’s influence and utilizing the talents of Colombian writers, designers, and craftspeople, Netflix’s adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude remains a faithful homage to the world Gabriel Garcia Marquez created, rooted deeply in the Caribbean heart of Colombia.
