In recent years the movie industry and its protagonists have taken on an increasingly important role at Mipcom. And, once again this year, Cannes’ global entertainment market (October 8th – 11th) has placed at the center of its schedule a selection of initiatives featuring a series of illustrious names, confirming the increasingly close dialogue that is emerging between the small and the big screen.
Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright Penn will be in Cannes to present “House of Cards”, 26 episodes of which have been commissioned by Netflix from Media Rights Capital, created by Spacey himself along with Beau Willimon (the screenwriter for “The Ides of March”) and David Fincher, who will also direct the first two episodes. “House of Cards”, inspired by the BBC drama series of the same name screened in the 1990s, focuses on the intrigues of power, sex, ambition and corruption in modern-day Washington. The international distributor is Sony Pictures Television.
On October 8th Harvey Weinstein, the founder, alongside his brother Bob, of Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company – a production and multimedia distribution business – will appear as the keynote speaker to promote the recently launched International Television Sales Division of TWC. He will also be announcing their TV products for 2013 and their latest proposals including the epic series “Marco Polo”, currently in pre-production for Starz.
The highlight of the “Creative Talks” will be an exclusive interview with Oscar and Palme d’Or winner (for “The Piano”) Jane Campion, who will be presenting a new TV series “Top of the Lake”, which she created and wrote (along with Gerard Lee), and for which she is also the executive producer (for See-Saw Films). Set in New Zealand, amidst landscapes filled with uncontaminated nature, the series follows the events linked to the mysterious disappearance of a twelve year old pregnant girl. “Top of the Lake” is produced in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for the BBC, UKTV, The Sundance Channel and BBC Worldwide.
On October 8th Mipcom will be hosting the premiere of “1812”, an historical adventure feature focusing on the clashes between Russia and Napoleon in the Battle of Borodino. The movie, directed by Oleg Fesenko, will be released in Russian cinemas on November 1st and will be presented by Central Partnership, one of the most important Russian independent production and distribution companies.
“We are honored to host the premiere of this movie on the 200th anniversary of this historic battle”, says Laurine Garaude, director of the television division of Reed Midem. “Feature movies have always been an essential part of every TV channel’s schedule and this is why an increasing number of film production companies are choosing Mipcom to raise financing and secure distribution deals”.
Matthew Modine is expected at Cannes to promote CAT.8 at Mipcom, the four part mini-series produced by Muse Entertainment and distributed by Sonar Entertainment, in which the actor plays an exiled scientist who is called upon to save the world.
Sarah Wayne Callies, one of the stars of “The Walking Dead” will present season three of AMC’s hit series along with producer Gale Anne Hurd and will explain that it is the first TV series to be launched as a theatrical movie by Fox International Channels and AMC in over 120 countries.
