Netflix is set to premiere ‘Juan Gabriel: I Owe, I Can, and I Want To’ on October 30. The four-episode docuseries promises an intimate look at Alberto Aguilera Valadez, the man behind the legendary artist Juan Gabriel.
The project was led by executive producer Laura Woldenberg, who boasts over 15 years of experience, and director MarÃa José Cuevas. Ivonne Gutiérrez also served as a producer.
Woldenberg stated that the idea for the project had been in development for many years. The creative proposal was finally presented to Juan Gabriel’s family in 2023 and received their approval.
The production team, with support from Netflix, was granted the creative freedom necessary to tell an honest and fresh story. Their primary goal was to explore Alberto Aguilera, distinct from his iconic stage persona.
The docuseries uncovered an extraordinary volume of archival material, much of it recorded by Aguilera himself. This allowed the narrative to be told from his unique perspective.
An editorial team of eight people dedicated 21 months to vision, classification, and editing. This meticulous process handled an immense collection of historical data.
The recovered archives include 2,268 tapes across 16 different formats, spanning from the 1970s to 2010. They also found approximately 2,500 photographs from personal albums and over 30,000 digital photographs.
The digital collection amassed around 390 terabytes of material, with 948 hours of video digitized. This is equivalent to 39 continuous days of footage. Additionally, 5,800 records of journalistic materials and memorabilia were documented.
Director MarÃa José Cuevas emphasized the production’s commitment to avoiding sensationalism. The team aimed to deliver a story that is deeply respectful of “El Divo de Juárez’s” legacy.
Cuevas noted the importance of featuring narrators who were close to Juan Gabriel. Many of these individuals appeared in his personal archives at various stages of his life, adding to the authenticity.
Some of the discovered material was found with mold and required extensive restoration. The team approached the unknown contents with profound respect.
The documentary features testimonies from Juan Gabriel’s children, personal assistants, and managers. These individuals provided behind-the-scenes insights into his life.
Approximately 110 sources were consulted for the docuseries. This includes materials from MarÃa de la Paz, who served as his representative for many years, as well as private collections and media publications.
Woldenberg and Cuevas agreed that if Juan Gabriel were alive to see the docuseries, he would likely declare, “Mission accomplished!” They believe they have created the tribute the artist and his fans deserve.