La Ley de la Selva, by TIS for Netflix, which tests greed, was recorded in the Colombian jungle with a production crew of 200

Netflix premiered the reality show La Ley de la Selva, an original TIS production, which presents a novel idea for this type of format. “Beyond being a survival reality show, it challenges people’s moral values and ethical dilemmas such as whether to work for a group or for their own benefit. That is the premise that differentiates La Ley de la Selva,” said Magdalena La Rotta, showrunner of the program.

La Ley de la Selva features twelve contestants divided into two teams that in a lush jungle, will undergo challenging environmental conditions and extreme tests. From minute zero, they will have to face the dilemma of whether they will compete for their team or secretly betray them to gain individual economic benefits. Netflix presents this reality show as a fierce competition where it will be tested if the popular saying ‘every one has their price’ is true.

“The participants were not aware of the real intention of the show. They were physically prepared, but not for facing moral dilemmas and pushing greed to the limit. Being with each other, they play fair or dirty. In addition, for the viewer it is interesting and exciting because not every time they know if the contestants really made an honest mistake or if it was something intentional,” explained La Rotta, who was the VP of Original Content at Foxtelecolombia-Estudios Teleméxico, and currently works as an independent producer.

La Ley de la Selva is an original idea by Juan Carlos Durán, which relied on the content development of a team made up of TIS producers such as Durán and La Rotta, with colleagues from Netflix such as Fabiola Faz (Manager of Non-fiction Series for Latin America) and Juan Pablo Matarredona (Director of Non-fiction Series for Latin America). Across eight chapters the contestants will defy human nature in order to win 2 million Mexican pesos (around $108,000).

MEXICANS IN THE COLOMBIAN JUNGLE
The reality show is hosted by the Mexican Yolanda Andrade, and Mexican participants such as Leslie Gallardo, former participant of Acapulco Shore; Gina Torres, former Exatlón contender; Bruce Santillan, model; Zoe Joffre, actress, among others. But it was recorded in a dense jungle in north-central Colombia.

“The did not know exactly in which part of Colombia they were located, because part of the charm is knowing that they are in a jungle, but not the place. It is in eastern Antioquia with a truly privileged landscape. A Jurassic Park site where there were very harsh conditions, but also an overwhelming natural beauty,” highlighted La Rotta.

The production crew consisted of about 200 people, who also had to deal with a harsh weather, humidity, and insects, lizards, or snakes: “The recording process was very demanding, but we had a very committed team and willing because they were aware that they were doing a new program that had never been done before.”

The producers chose Colombia thanks to its tax incentives such as the CINA (Audiovisual Investment Certificate), which in addition to granting a 35% discount on the income tax from the investment made in that country, also includes support from Proimágenes, the Commission Film of Colombia, and the regional commission where the program is filmed.

“It is a very attractive dynamic, not only economically, but regarding talent. This reality show proved that people in the regions of Colombia know how to produce and are committed to make a show like these. We have all the creative talent needed for these types of formats and scenarios. In this case, some very top visuals, little known on the international screen and that put the magnifying glass of the world on our country.” concluded Magdalena La Rotta.