Crematorio : An X-ray of corruption in contemporary Spain – A conversation with the Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers.

This article focuses on the Spanish television series *Crematorio* (2011), created by brothers Jorge and Alberto Sánchez-Cabezudo, which critically portrays political and economic corruption in Spain linked to the real estate boom and subsequent crisis. Based on Rafael Chirbes's novel, the series follows Rubén Bertomeu, a businessman who builds his empire through illicit activities including bribery, drug trafficking, and ties with the Russian mafia, reflecting real events and societal dynamics in Spain from the 1970s to the post-2008 crisis. The creators adapted the novel's introspective style into a narrative with tension and intrigue, emphasizing the complicity of various social actors benefiting from corruption. *Crematorio* is recognized for its realistic depiction of Spain's socio-political landscape during a transformative era, avoiding imported clichés and focusing on indigenous characters and issues.