Netflix is adding “Mango” to its catalog, a romantic drama centered on the conflict between professional aspirations and unexpected human connections. The film, which also blends comedic elements, uses its title not just to define the story’s exotic setting—a fruit farm—but as its central metaphor. The narrative poses a dilemma between duty and the heart, forcing its protagonists to decide whether to “chase” their ambitions or “nurture” the new beginnings that unexpectedly arise.
Plot Synopsis: A Collision of Business and Emotion
The story follows Lærke, an “ambitious Danish hotel manager.” In what seems like a unique professional opportunity, her boss sends her to Málaga, Spain, with a clear mission: to oversee the conversion of a mango farm into an exclusive luxury resort.
Lærke’s main obstacle is the farm’s owner, Alex, identified in the plot as a “former lawyer.” He flatly refuses to sell the property, bound to it by “a tragic past he cannot let go of.” This standoff establishes the central dynamic: Lærke’s transactional, future-oriented philosophy clashes directly with Alex’s emotional, preservationist stance, which is anchored in the past.
The situation is complicated by the presence of Lærke’s daughter, Agnes, who travels with her. Agnes hoped to enjoy a “rare holiday” with a mother described as perpetually “busy,” suggesting pre-existing family tension.
As Lærke tries to advance her project, a “deep and unexpected connection” emerges between her and Alex. This bond forces them both “to face their fears, desires, and the dilemma between duty and the heart.” The decisions they make will affect not only their careers but also their “family ties and, ultimately, their hearts,” in a narrative defined as a “story of second chances and new beginnings.”
The Creative and Artistic Team
The film solidifies the collaboration of a recurring creative team, both behind and in front of the camera.
Direction and Screenplay: The Avaz Brothers’ Stamp
“Mango” is directed by Danish filmmaker Mehdi Avaz and features a screenplay by Milad Avaz. The brothers have worked together on several previous projects.
This production continues the professional relationship between Mehdi Avaz and Netflix, for whom he previously directed the dramas “A Beautiful Life” and “Toscana.” The making of “Mango” appears to be a direct execution of the model used by Rocket Road Pictures, the Avaz brothers’ company, which is listed as a co-producer. This model has been described as a strategy to create “high-quality content with low-budget production methods.”
Choosing Spain as a filming location exemplifies this philosophy. The director himself, Mehdi Avaz, highlighted the “natural light in Spain” as a “key advantage.” This light not only provides aesthetic value, lending a “warm and golden touch that enhances the cinematography,” but it also reduces artificial lighting costs, aligning with the production company’s efficiency model.
Principal Cast
The main cast is led by high-profile Danish actors. Josephine Park, known for the series “The Nurse,” stars as the protagonist, Lærke. Dar Salim, recognized for his work in “Game of Thrones,” plays Alex.
The supporting cast completing the story includes:
- Josephine Højbjerg as Agnes
- Sara Jiménez as Paula
- Anders W. Berthelsen as Tom
- Paprika Steen as Joan
- Sebastian Jessen as Kristian
This casting strategy uses Danish talent for the story’s emotional core while incorporating Spanish actors like Sara Jiménez to bring authenticity to the Málaga setting.
Production Details: Axarquía as the Setting
“Mango” is a Danish production filmed entirely on location in Spain. The team focused on the Axarquía region in the province of Málaga.
Key filming locations included a rural farm in Benamocarra, the Vélez-Málaga airfield, and various spots in the town of Frigiliana. The production sought a high degree of naturalism, scheduling the shoot to coincide with the actual mango “harvest season.” This decision allows the environment to be more than a mere backdrop, integrating it as a living element of the narrative.
The choice of these locations also reflects a growing trend in the industry. According to local reports, Frigiliana has already hosted other Netflix productions, and the release of “Mango” helps solidify the Axarquía region as a “key natural set” for international productions.
Corporate Structure and Distribution
The film is a Drive Studios production, co-produced with Rocket Road Pictures and Nordisk Film Distribution. The production team includes Anna Malmkjær Willumsen (Producer), María Cabello (Delegate Producer), and Maj-Britt Landin (Executive Producer).
This consortium of Danish and Nordic production companies developed a project with a specific cultural identity, which was subsequently acquired by Netflix for global distribution, following the platform’s common model for acquiring international content.
The film premieres on Netflix on November 7.
