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UPFRONTS
A+E Networks Roots / SIX / Knightfall The life and legacy of Kunta Kinte gets a modern retelling in Roots, a remake of the original miniseries. “Roots is a historical portrait of American slavery, recounting the journey of one family’s will to survive, endure and ultimately carry on their legacy despite enormous hardship and inhumanity,” says Joel Denton, the managing director of international content sales and partnerships at A+E Networks. The company is also presenting the miniseries SIX, inspired by the real missions of SEAL Team Six, best known for killing Osama bin Laden. Knightfall, meanwhile, is an epic drama series chronicling the actual events leading up to and following the persecution, downfall and burning at the stake of the Knights Templar, guardians of the Holy Grail, in 1307.
“MIPTV is a great opportunity to see and talk to clients about what’s working in their markets and what the new trends are.” —Joel Denton Roots
AFL Productions Drama / Gags Network hits / Co-production library The historical miniseries Curse of the Diamonds, one of AFL Productions’s drama highlights at MIPTV, is based on a true story involving Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. Yuri Volodarsky, the head of development and distribution at AFL Productions, says the title is “brimming with intrigue, action and mystery.” AFL’s drama slate also features short films directed by Ilya Rozhkov, including We Are Enemies and Sabre Dance. Other highlights are hits from the Gags Network such as the hiddencamera show with an erotic twist Naked & Funny. “We are currently actively seeking co-production partners and format [licensees] for Naked & Funny,” Volodarsky says. He adds that “AFL is looking for co-production partners to produce two fullfeature sequels about soccer and hockey.”
“Our main goal for 2016’s market isn’t too different from previous ones: Sell! Sell! Sell!” —Yuri Volodarsky Curse of the Diamonds
all3media international Employable Me / Close to the Enemy / Indian Summers Close to the Enemy and Indian Summers season two are both big-budget period dramas being officially launched at MIPTV as part of all3media international’s lineup. Both series contain “international stories and well-known casts,” according to Kelly Shek, a sales manager for finished programs at all3media international. Close to the Enemy is set after WWII and at the beginning of the Cold War, while the story in season two of Indian Summers takes place in India in the 1930s. The company also has a new factual series, Employable Me, following individuals with neurological conditions such as autism and Tourette syndrome as they find jobs that will tap into the skills and talents that are often masked by their conditions.
“Close to the Enemy has Stephen Poliakoff and Helen Flint at the helm and a stellar international cast.” —Kelly Shek Close to the Enemy 24 World Screen 4/16