Juan Carlos: Downfall of the King

by Anne von Petersdorff, Georg Tschurtschenthaler
  • 2023 Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion
  • 2023 Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion

    Synopsis

    For many years, King Juan Carlos I was a Spanish hero, celebrated around the world for reforming Spain with his modern, progressive, democratic values. He led his country from the Franco dictatorship to parliamentary monarchy, transforming Spain into a modern European state and becoming the most popular Spanish ruler in history.
    King Juan Carlos had a loyal Queen, a loving family, international respect, friends in high places and faithful subjects; he had everything a King could wish for. So, how did this revered Monarch take such a drastic fall from grace that he was forced to abdicate in 2014 and eventually flee into exile in 2020? 
    The documentary shows how a fateful hunting trip to Botswana revealed the King’s secret love affair with his companion, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, and set off a series of events that shook the Spanish monarchy to its core. The house of cards began to crumble when questions were raised about the King’s financial affairs, his lucrative links with the Spanish establishment and alleged global corruption, including a €65 million payment.

    Festivals

    2023
    CANNESSERIES
    38 DOK.fest Munich
    BEST DOCU-SERIES – TV Series Festival, Berlin
    nominated for Best Editing – Deutscher Fernsehpreis: Marc Accensi, André Nier, Sofia Angelina Machado
    nominated for Best Documentary Series – Deutscher Fernsehpreis
    2024
    nominated GRIMME PRIZE SPEZIAL