Urban. Our Life: A Modern Drama Set in a Historic Malaga Prison

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This former Malaga State Prison has been transformed into an urban music center, reflecting a distinctly New York Bronx vibe. It shows a cinematic side that fascinated visitors long before 2009, when it ceased operating as a prison and began to serve as a cultural hub. The project titled Urban. Our Life premiered on Amazon Prime Video and later on Mediaset, bringing a rapid pace of activity to the Andalusian city. A bright yellow plastic strip curtain bearing the word Palace hints at the space’s new, anarchic and intimate use where young people connect through music.

Those who have stepped inside can imagine the involuntary tenants who endured hardship there. Rooms still carry echoes that trigger anxiety, and the site’s past as a prison resurfaces through bold graffiti created for the fictional world of Malaga. The cast—Maria Pedraza, Asia Ortega, and Bernardo Flores—brings to life characters who linger between memory and ambition. They spent long nights filming sequences within the building, a process in which EL PERIÓDICO and other Prensa Ibérica media outlets also participated.

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failure history

Lola, played by Pedraza, Yanet portrayed by Ortega, and Patrick as Flores form a trio navigating the urban music scene while chasing personal dreams. Their path is not a simple ascent; it unfolds as a study in resilience and strain. Lola hails from a wealthy Madrid family, while Yanet arrives from a Malaga background with family ties and a boyfriend in tow. Both converge on Andalusia, seeking to reconnect with roots while confronting disappointments from the past.

In Andalusia they encounter Patrick, a charismatic young man who grew up on the streets. He leads with a magnetic energy that positions him as the neighborhood’s figurehead, ready to push for what he believes could be a breakthrough. The past and present collide as Yanet and Patrick rekindle old feelings, and Lola becomes entangled as a muse. A triangular dynamic emerges, blending love, rivalry, and endless nights. Personal egos, rivalries, and unveiled debts shape the characters’ new lives.

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Characters

Patrick is depicted as a good-hearted street kid with big dreams. He admires performers and aspires to emulate major stars. The actor who portrays him notes a journey from impulsive choices toward introspection and forgiveness. Pedraza, known for her work in Money Robbery and roles in Elite and Toy Boy, brings unexpected depth to a former rap-inspired character. The actress describes a background of singing karaoke in youth, while Lola registers as a non-singing but deeply expressive presence. Ortega shares that Yanet began as a pop singer with flamenco roots and urban influences, reflecting a layered identity.

The creative team drew on a diverse set of references, including classic hip-hop and contemporary realism, while cultivating a distinct tone. The executive producer and script author emphasize a unique voice and visual identity grounded in urban culture. The series spans six episodes of roughly fifty minutes each, shaped under the direction of Koldo Almandoz and Jota Linares. The soundtrack blends urban rap with vibrant, live-inspired composition from musicians such as Victor Elijah and James Cowboy, weaving together authentic raps and melodic arrangements to support the narrative.

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Aesthetics and locations

Beyond the music, the aesthetic language leans heavily on camera work and the physical spaces that frame the story. The Malaga setting avoids glossy postcard images, instead presenting districts that reveal a spectrum of urban life. The camera captures the Lagunillas area, improvised moments of street activity, and the Guadalmedina riverside as backdrops for the show’s mood. The narrative embraces scenes from industrial and educational areas, coastal landscapes near the Thermal district, and everyday life in working-class neighborhoods such as Miraflores and Cruz de Humilladero. This approach creates a setting that resonates with younger viewers while inviting a broader audience.

Although the show centers on music and urban culture, its core message remains grounded in the tension between ambition and failure. The creators emphasize that music serves as a backdrop for a larger human story—one that confronts fear, disappointment, and the complexity of pursuing dreams in challenging circumstances.

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