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Have you ever wondered about the inexplicable commitment of a man with an obvious overweight and an extravagant fondness to talk with reindeer to make a good part of the children of the world happy? What moves you? What are you looking for? Why do you drink so much Coca-Cola? (The latter is not proven, careful). The fact is that Sergio Pablos , to the surprise of almost everyone, did so at the time (10 years ago) until he turned his curiosity into a simple obsession. The result of his research, which can be seen on Netflix since the end of November, has impressed both his own and strangers, Lapps and Americans, who has even deserved an Oscar nomination. His is the second that Spanish cinema receives in the animation mode (before he was Chico and Rita , by Fernando Trueba and Mariscal ).

"The typical thing in these cases is to say that we did not expect it," he says on the phone this Madrid next to his producer and wife, Marisa Román . And it continues: «And it is thus. If I had to put a percentage it would be 25%. We had not appeared in the Golden Globes and we had already been discarded in many lists of experts, but we kept hope in ... 25% ». It is percentage clear. The speaker, to place ourselves, is anything but a newcomer. After working as a designer on several Disney movies ( 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', 'Hercules' or 'Tarzan' ) and producing the Spanish-Argentine film 'Futbolín', he achieved the closest thing to success with some beings among the wicked and also they somewhat weird: the minions. Indeed, 'Gru, my favorite villain' is his idea.

"Gru," he says, "was a success, yes, but only halfway. Yes, we managed to make the film despite not having a great studio behind. And so, we had to do it outside of Spain. That is why I think that in my career it is more an intermediate point ». The arrival is 'Klaus' . Since it appeared on the chain there are about 30 million accounts (those who pay subscription) from around the world who have wanted to know about the bizarre motivations of, sorry, Mr. Fat. And they know the best? Much of them, despite the strangeness of everything, have been moved. «Honestly, I think that is the real success. I don't care if it is seen in the movies or on TV. The ability to thrill is worth it, ”they say at the same time, and proudly say it, Pablo and Marisa.

The director has the impression that he is at the beginning of a great friendship. As with the cinema of flesh and blood characters, Netflix has come to revolutionize everything ("We are your spearhead in animation," he says). Where the great studios did not arrive, the television of marras has done it. Where before the independents had to leave their eyebrows until they gathered the necessary six or 12 million, now everything is easier, more direct and, indeed, viable. «What we are clear about is that this is a Spanish film in every way. Inside is Atresmedia along with Netflix and in the project have participated workers of 22 nationalities, mostly European, but all in Madrid, ”says the director without hiding the closest thing to pride. And faith Who knows if it is not the same thread that unites his curiosity for Santa Claus with his devotion to the impossible. Now the gala awaits. Facing the so-called franchises, the neat three-dimensional animation, a prodigy of French crafts and the usual productions with Pixar and Dreamworks at the head. "Hollywood is more inclusive ...", he concludes and in the ellipsis he leaves his particular letter to the kings. Or Klaus.

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