The 2013 autumn television market for content on multi-platforms in Cannes was an upbeat event for Scandinavian creators and sellers of scripted format as demand from worldwide audiences - and therefore broadcasters - for high quality drama has never been so high. DR Sales reported new sales on Pernille August’s upcoming series The Legacy, on Borgen and remake deals pending with Russia and India on The Killing.
Present for the first time in Cannes with finished episodes of DR’s upcoming 10x58’ family saga The Legacy (Arvingerne) starring Trine Dyrholm (pictured) and Jesper Christensen, DR Sales hit the jackpot by licencing rights to Peter Nadermann’s Nadcon-Film for Germany and France. “The Legacy is one of Scandinavia’s best non-crime series. It’s more emotional than Borgen and the A cast is magnificent,” said the German buyer who is hoping to open new slots in Germany for Scandinavian quality drama outside the crime slots.
Produced by Christian Rank for DR with support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond, The Legacy will premiere in Denmark early 2014. Foreign territories that had acquired it earlier include the UK, Australia and Benelux. “In general interest from buyers has been amazing,” confirmed Helene Aurø, DR Sales Deputy Managing Director.
Heartless, another Danish drama in production made its debut at MIPCOM and received a very positive response. The 5x42’ series written by Nikolaj Scherfig and directed by Natasha Arthy is set in an old boarding school, where reality and fiction, life and death come together under supernatural influences. DR Sales was in final negotiations with Norway and Belgium after they showed few scenes from the series. “It’s a great show targeting the younger audience,” said Aurø about the Fridthjof Film series produced for Kanal 5.
The successful political series Borgen sold to more than 70 countries was snatched by New Zealand, and French-speaking Canada acquired DVD rights for the three seasons. Australia’s SBS bought Season two. Belgium’s VRT Season three and negotiations are underway with Japan for Season 2 and 3.
Meanwhile the remake trend that picked up with The Killing shows no sign of abating. “Business in that market is picking up even more today,” noted Aurø. After Turkey, Russia and India are eyeing at Sarah Lund’s crime investigations to remake them in their own versions. Back catalogue titles were also hot items for potential remakes such as Unit One in negotiations with Russia.
Other Scandinavian dramas that created strong buzz include season 2 of the Norwegian dramedy Lilyhammer (Rubicon) co-produced by Netflix and sold by Red Arrow International. “The first season was sold to 150 territories. The interest is huge on the second season but we are waiting for ratings from NRK to close deals,” said Red Arrow’s Marketing Manager Rebecca Kos. Season 2 will premiere on NRK on October 23.
Nordic World’s Managing director Espen Huseby was pleased to report ‘fantastic responses’ to his Scandinavian dramas and said he will closed several deals on NRK’s upcoming thriller series Mammon, TV2’s Dag and the Icelandic series The Press and The Court. the internationalp
TrustNordisk came to MIPCOM presented the international premiere of the Danish mini-series The Executioner directed by Frode Højer Pedersen for Dialog Film. It’s the story of a UN human rights lawyer sent to Cambodia to catch war criminals who falls in love with a woman, a former executioner under the Khmer Rouge regime of terror. Susan Wendt, Head of Sales said: “The reactions on The Executioner were really good. Based on the pitch and trailer, we are already negotiating some rights. “The two- part film is also available as a 96 minute feature . The Norwegian children animation TV series Alfie Atkins had its market premiere in Cannes and received a similar response.
Buyers were also offered an opportunity at MIPCOM to view the first images of the Danish epic drama 1864 sold by ZDF Enterprises for France and Germany and by SF International for the remaining territories outside of Scandinavia. The €23m film and TV project produced by Miso Film for DR just wrapped after 115 days of shooting.
Photo: Martin Lehmann