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TV DRAMA
Star Media Mata Hari / Sophia / Red October Star Media’s Mata Hari is a 12-episode biographical drama about the life of the legendary woman Margaretha Zelle, better known to the world as Mata Hari. “Her life is both fascinating and tragic,” says Vlad Ryashin, general producer and founder of Star Media. Star Media and FremantleMedia Poland are jointly developing a project under the working title Sophia, based on the biography of Sophia Potocka, a woman from a poor Greek and Turkish family who in the 18th century gained power and recognition at all royal courts of Europe and at the Russian Imperial House. Another confirmed collaboration is the eightpart drama series Red October, which Star Media is working on with the German outfit Letterbox Filmproduktion and Federation Entertainment of France.
“We have been investing in development and financing and are looking for partners around the world.” —Vlad Ryashin Mata Hari
ZDF Enterprises Ku’damm ’56: Rebel with a Cause / The Fall / The Inspector and the Sea A highlight of ZDF Enterprises’s (ZDFE) drama slate, Ku’damm ’56: Rebel with a Cause comes from UFA Fiction, which is also behind the successful German-language series Deutschland 83. Fred Burcksen, ZDFE’s executive VP and COO, believes Ku’damm ’56 could “easily turn into a bingeviewing favorite, with its stunningly realistic sets, costumes and, of course, stories.” Additionally, ZDFE has a second season of The Fall, which stars Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, to offer buyers. There’s also The Inspector and the Sea, based on the best-selling crime novels of Mari Jungstedt. The 6x1-hour series is set on the idyllic Swedish island of Gotland in the medieval town of Visby, which looks like the picture of innocence but is far from it.
“We are the largest distributor of German-language programs, a valued co-production partner of international broadcasters and producers, as well as a major investor in audiovisual content both domestic and foreign.” —Fred Burcksen Ku’damm ’56: Rebel with a Cause
Zodiak Rights Wolf Creek / Public Enemy / Bombshell: The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior Zodiak Rights is launching a brand-new psychological thriller at MIPTV, Wolf Creek. Produced by Banijay Group’s Screentime, the 6x1-hour drama is based on the cult feature films of the same name written, directed and produced by Greg McLean. The show is “highly anticipated by fans of the original movies and we know there is a keen audience waiting to see the series,” says Caroline Torrance, the head of scripted at Zodiak Rights. The company is also presenting Public Enemy, which is part of the MIPDrama Screenings, and Bombshell: The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, based on a true story of how a deadly French Secret Service operation dramatically backfired. The 90-minute feature is produced by Screentime for TVNZ.
“Each one of these dramas has exceptionally high production values and a gripping story that we believe will have global appeal.” —Caroline Torrance
Wolf Creek 322 World Screen 4/16