La Palma is an Original TV Series based on catastrophic events in a Norwegian family's desperate fight for survival in the face of an imminent volcanic eruption on the paradisiacal island of La Palma[1] in the Atlantic Ocean (Canary Islands, the Spanish autonomous community). The series highlights human vulnerability in the face of the uncontrollable forces of nature, such as tidal waves. From the very first minutes, the series captures attention by showing scientific research that warns of an imminent natural disaster, a tsunami.
Premiered on December 12, 2024 and of Norwegian origin, the four-episode series' plot is based on a real threat. La Palma is known for its intense volcanic activity, being part of the Canary Islands archipelago. The Cumbre Vieja volcano, which inspires the plot, has a history of eruptions that have impacted thousands of people. Geological studies warn that a significant eruption could generate a devastating tsunami, even reaching the coast of the Americas. Researchers have already pointed out that La Palma's topography and its geological characteristics make the disaster scenario plausible. The series uses this data to create a story that balances fiction and science, offering a narrative that is both dramatic and very realistic.
Plot[]
The story present in the episodes of La Palma revolves around a Norwegian family who travel to the island of La Palma, located in the Atlantic, near to Africa and Spain, in search of a well-deserved rest. Thus, the peaceful journey turns into a desperate fight for survival, as the characters face toxic ash and destruction, being forced to make difficult decisions amidst the chaos. It's almost Christmas and the four tourists are enjoying the luxuries of the hotel and the spectacular natural landscape of the island. When the director of the local Geology Institute notices unusual movements in the Earth's crust, a warning about the activity of the La Palma volcano begins to worry him. A possible eruption would mean almost complete destruction, also generating a massive and unprecedented tsunami. Trying to avoid unnecessary despair fails when panic sets in when the volcano finally becomes active and the paradise that was once a nightmare turns into a nightmare.
The story begins with Jennifer, Fredrik and their children, Sara and Tobias, enjoying their vacation on the island. At first everything seems perfect, but soon rumors of a possible volcanic eruption emerge. Marie and Haukur, two researchers, spot a fissure in the mountain that indicates an impending catastrophe. However, the local research leader, Álvaro, ignores the findings, fearing to cause panic without concrete evidence.
When the eruption becomes inevitable, Álvaro orders Marie and her brother Erik to leave the island. The decision is especially painful for the siblings, who had already lost their parents in the 2004 tsunami.
The relationship between siblings is a central theme in the series, explored through different characters, such as Sara and Tobias, Jennifer and her brother, and Marie and Erik. Erik, who shows compassion until the end, helps Fredrik find the strength to fight for his survival. Unfortunately, his kindness leads to his death when he decides to free a trapped criminal. The man follows him and kills him, but Fredrik avenges Erik by attacking the criminal with a rock. Fredrik then uses Erik's boat to escape.
Sara stars in one of the most emotional moments of the series when she gives up her chance to evacuate the island to rescue her friend Charlie. Jennifer tries to stop her daughter, but ends up trusting her decision. When Sara finally finds Charlie, the two board a plane that ends up crashing. Despite this, Sara manages to save Charlie and they are both rescued by a helicopter, reaching the safe zone and reuniting with their family.
Comparison with real life[]
La Palma in real life, Spain.
Combining elements of suspense and action, many may wonder if there is a real story behind the Netflix release La Palma. Tudum, the streaming service's official website, explains that the story portrayed, as well as the characters, are fictional. However, the island of La Palma exists off-screen, as does Cumbre Vieja, which is the most active volcano in the Canary Islands. The last eruption occurred in 2021. The island of La Palma has experienced a devastating volcanic eruption in 2021, marking the volcano’s first awakening in five decades. The volcanic activity began on September 19 and quickly turned into a major disaster. Lava erupted with force, destroying homes, churches and vast areas of crops, including banana plantations, which play a vital role in the local economy. The Brazilian news portal G1 from TV Globo highlighted the devastating effects of the eruption on the infrastructure and sources of livelihood of the population. According to a survey carried out by the responsible services, the eruption affected an estimated area of 1,219 hectares. In addition, around 7,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to the imminent threat of the volcano. Although some buildings remained intact, many of them became uninhabitable due to the accumulation of ash and other volcanic debris. During the real 2021 eruption, the airport of La Palma had to be closed due to ash accumulation, making evacuations even more difficult.
The power of audiovisual in times of crisis and climate change[]
La Palma awakens collective awareness to environmental challenges. The series educates and reminds us that preparation is essential in the face of the unpredictable forces of nature.
The series has brought to the fore important discussions about the prevention and response to natural disasters. Governments and non-governmental organizations have taken advantage of the miniseries’ success to promote awareness campaigns on geological risks and evacuation measures.
In addition, tourism to La Palma island has grown exponentially. Thousands of people visit the island, attracted by the volcanic landscape and the interest sparked by the series.
Relationships in the midst of natural disasters[]
In addition to the survival plot, La Palma explores themes such as sacrifice, compassion and the value of connections. The ending suggests that the characters emerge from the tragedy with new perspectives on life and their relationships. Fredrik and Jennifer, previously estranged, seem to find strength in each other, while Sara and Charlie learn the importance of valuing those they love.
Trivia[]
- The eruption scenes were filmed using cutting-edge visual effects technology.
- The production consulted experts in geology and volcanology to ensure accuracy in the catastrophe scenes.
- The script was written after an intensive study of real disasters that occurred in the Canary Islands.
Cast[]
- Thea Sofie Loch Næs as Marie Ekdal.
- Anders Baasmo as Fredrik.
- Alma Günther as Sara.
- Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Jennifer.
- Jenny Evensen as Charlie.
- Amund Harboe as Erik.
- Jorge de Juan as Álvaro.
- Johannes Joner as Arnt.
- Bernard Storm Lager as Tobias.
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Haukur (3 episodes).
- Thorbjørn Harr Thorbjørn Harr as Jens Uvdal (3 episodes).
- Omar Muñoz as Police Prision Officer (3 episodes).
- Ruth Lecuona as Anna (2 episodes).
Production[]
Credits[]
Direction[]
- Kasper Barfoed.
Writing[]
- Lars Gudmestad.
- Harald Rosenløw-Eeg.
Producers[]
- Lasse Greve Alsos (executive producer).
- Martin Sundland (executive producer)
- Hege Fjeldskår (co-executive producer).
- Bjørn Fjærestad (line producer).
- Glenn Lund (producer).
Soundtrack[]
- Johannes Ringen.
Cinematography[]
- Jan Richter-Friis (1 episode, 2024).
Editing[]
- Perry Eriksen.
- Christoffer Heie.
- Silje Nordseth.
Art Direction[]
- Orlando Harris.
Set Decoration[]
- David Jiménez Díaz.
Costume Design[]
- Nell Knudsen.
Casting Department[]
- Basilio Rodríguez (extras casting, 1 episode, 2024).
Locations[]
Cumbre Vieja Volcano[]
The Cumbre Vieja, an active volcano located in La Palma, is the highlight of the series. It appears as the epicenter of the disaster that threatens tourists and residents. In real life, Cumbre Vieja erupted in 2021, destroying thousands of homes and forcing the evacuation of several areas of the island. The volcano's proximity to inhabited areas brought even more realism to the plot.
Isla Bonita, Tenerife[]
Although many scenes were filmed on La Palma, some locations were shot on Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands. The Isla Bonita resort, famous for its tropical landscapes and luxurious facilities, served as the setting for the hotel's interior scenes. It is there that the characters face intense moments as they try to protect themselves from the impending disaster.
H10 Taburiente Playa[]
The H10 Taburiente Playa, located on the east coast of La Palma, served as the setting for the exterior scenes of the resort where the main family of the series stays. With a privileged view of the ocean and the mountains, the location appears at critical moments in the plot, with the volcano in the background creating an atmosphere of tension.
Playa de la Arena, Tenerife[]
Playa de la Arena, a beach famous for its black volcanic sand, was the setting for a moving scene in the first episode, where the character Sara walks along the shore and meets her brother Tobias. The contrast of the ocean with the black sand creates a visually striking image.
La Palma Airport[]
La Palma Airport plays a major role in the series, serving as the main escape point during the eruption. The airport sequence depicts the desperation of locals and tourists trying to escape the volcanic ash.
Gallery[]
Promotional images[]
Promotional videos[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.netflix.com/tudum/videos/la-palma-trailer Watch the La Palma Trailer. The Norwegian disaster series from director Kasper Barfoed follows the inhabitants of an island in the Canaries as earthquakes and a volcanic eruption threaten to unleash a once-in-a-lifetime geological event. Created by Martin Sundland, Lars Gudmestad, and Harald Rosenløw Eeg, La Palma stars Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal.