About Premium Content Tempted by Finnish ‘Guts’ From ‘Money Shot’ Creators: ‘It’s ‘Black Swan’ in the Snow’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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Based in Paris, About Premium Content has taken on international sales for the Finnish sports drama thriller “Guts,” created by the rising talent Jemina Jokisalo. Known for the feminist porn story “Money Shot” that won the Student Award for best short form series at Canneseries 2024, and is also a contender for Göteborg TV Drama Vision’s Nordic Series Script Award.

The announcement of APC’s acquisition of “Guts” is made as Federation Studios, a Paris-based company managing international sales of “Money Shot” along with Nordisk Film, secures initial distribution agreements for “Money Shot.” These agreements will allow the film to be broadcast on Canal+ in France, Lithuania, and Greece.

The eight-episode series titled “Guts,” funded by Finnish public broadcaster Yle, is being developed by Just Republic, a company jointly led by producer Sasu Norhomaa and writer Jokisalo.

The plot revolves around Anna, an elite cross-country skier, given another opportunity to claim the title of world champion. Despite being a perennial underdog, Anna’s unwavering resolve pushes her to triumph no matter what obstacles she faces and to outshine her longstanding rival, Maria – a seemingly effortless skiing prodigy.

Leading the star-studded lineup, we have Roosa Söderholm (“Baby Jane,” “They Have Escaped”) and Sannah Nedergård (“Codename-Annika”, “Sandhamm Murders”), who engage in an intellectual duel. Completing this impressive cast are Reetta Ylä-Rautio (“Money Shot”), Kreeta Salminen (“Deadwind”), Antti Virmavirta (“Transport”), Edit Williams, and Viktor Nyström.

Akseli Tuomivaara (“The Paradise”, “Next of Kin”) and Petra Lumioksa (“The Short Fuse”) are taking turns in handling the directorial responsibilities.

Suvi Mansnerus, executive producer at Yle Drama, commented that “Guts” is an excellent match for Yle because it skillfully blends mystery, drama, and thriller elements to appeal to both a broad audience and younger viewers. The show’s emphasis on relatable human struggles within the competitive realm of elite sports aligns with Yle’s mission to provide captivating and thought-provoking content. Furthermore, Jokisalo’s innovative storytelling approach sets it apart as a compelling series.

Emmanuelle Guilbart and Laurent Boissel, co-CEOs of Premium Content, expressed their excitement about collaborating on the upcoming series with Just Republic’s talented team. They also mentioned their pleasure to join forces with Yle once more, following their successful collaboration on ‘Deadwind.’ Since the inception of “Guts,” they have been closely working with Jemina, providing development suggestions for the scripts to achieve a perfect blend of sports thriller and personal drama. This unique ‘Black Swan’ set in the snow is expected to captivate audiences worldwide.

The joint-CEOs of Premium Content, Emmanuelle Guilbart and Laurent Boissel, are happy to be teaming up with Just Republic for an exciting new series, and they look forward to working with Yle again after their successful collaboration on ‘Deadwind.’ They’ve been involved in “Guts” since the beginning, working closely with Jemina on script development to create a balance between sports thriller and personal drama. This unique snow-set series, which they call a ‘Black Swan,’ is expected to appeal to audiences all over the world.

Jokisalo revealed she conceived the idea for the show following a play based on the life of renowned Finnish cross-country skiing Olympic medalist Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. Upon seeing her story, she became instantly intrigued, immersed herself in reading more about her life, and felt it would make an ideal backdrop for a gripping drama.

In her research, the experienced screenwriter immersed herself in skiing communities by visiting camps and speaking with a dozen elite skiers and their coaches. She found herself drawn to the complex power dynamics and mental struggles among competitors, as well as their unwavering determination and readiness to make tremendous sacrifices for victory. It’s noteworthy that the stereotype of women being gentle or laid-back is challenged in such a competitive environment, where they must become self-centered and relentless. This intrigued Jokisalo greatly.

At present, the production of this series is taking place in both Finland and Slovenia. This collaborative project is jointly produced by Staragara from Slovenia and Anagram Sweden, a subsidiary of Newen Studios’ Swedish division, which holds a majority stake in Just Republic. The financing for this project comes from several sources, including the N12 Nordic public broadcasters’ consortium (Yle, DR, SVT, NRK, RÚV), Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Business Finland, Film i Skåne, the Finnish Film Foundation, and the Slovenian Film Centre. The series is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Currently, Jokisalo is riding high on the acclaim of her dramedy “Money Shot” for Elisa Viihde, which has landed her a nomination for the Nordic Script Series Award. This recognition will be presented at the TV Drama Vision event, scheduled for January 28 during the Göteborg Film Festival.

I’m thrilled to have been chosen for this distinguished award, as there is fierce competition among series from the Nordic region. The fact that it has struck a chord with so many people validates the need for innovative and courageous programming in the market.”

So far, Paris-based Federation Studios, which manages international sales alongside Nordisk Film, has sealed distribution agreements for “Money Shot” with Canal+ in France, Lithuania, and Greece.

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2025-01-14 15:17