The new Netflix film 'La Fiera' premieres after a fatal accident during production. The movie explores the passion and risks of BASE jumping in Spain, where several friends lost their lives.
The premiere of 'La Fiera' on Netflix this Friday comes with a somber backdrop: the film's production was marked by the death of Carlos Suárez, a pioneer of BASE jumping in Spain, who died during filming in Toledo. Suárez, portrayed by Carlos Cuevas, was paying tribute to three friends—Darío Barrio, Álvaro Bultó, and Manolo Chana—who all lost their lives practicing the same extreme sport that united them.
The fatal incident occurred in Villa de Don Fadrique, Toledo, when Suárez jumped from a hot air balloon in a wingsuit. Both his main and emergency parachutes failed to deploy, resulting in a fatal fall. The accident echoed the tragedies of his friends, whom he intended to honor through the film. According to Jesús Calleja, a close friend, Suárez had previously promised not to jump again, highlighting the emotional weight behind his final act.
Suárez was widely recognized as a global legend in mountain sports and BASE jumping. He was known for his innovative approach, including free base—a discipline combining rope-free climbing with parachute jumps. After the death of Darío Barrio, Suárez had publicly stated he would stop wingsuit flying, but returned for this project, considering it a meaningful closure with his lost companions.
The film also recounts the stories of the other three friends. Manolo Chana, one of Spain's early BASE jumpers, died in 2008 when his parachute failed to open during a jump in Toledo. His passing deeply affected the group. In 2011, Álvaro Bultó and Darío Barrio honored Chana by jumping from Venezuela's Angel Falls with his photo in their backpacks. Bultó, a well-known athlete and TV personality, died in 2013 in the Swiss Alps after a wingsuit malfunction. Barrio, a celebrated chef and TV figure, died in 2014 during an air festival in Jaén, also while paying tribute to Bultó.
Only Armando del Rey, owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Madrid, remains from the original group. The film captures the deep bonds and shared risks among these friends, whose passion for flight ultimately cost them their lives. The story of 'La Fiera' highlights both the allure and the dangers of BASE jumping, a sport that has left a lasting mark on Spain's adventure community.
BASE jumping, which involves parachuting from fixed objects such as buildings, antennas, spans, and earth (cliffs), is considered one of the most dangerous extreme sports. In Spain, the discipline has grown in visibility over the past two decades, but incidents like those depicted in 'La Fiera' have sparked ongoing debate about safety and regulation. The film's release brings renewed attention to the risks faced by athletes who push the limits of human flight, as well as the personal stories behind the headlines.
