Finnish Producers Reveal Mipcom Slate, Including Shows About a Forensic Odontologist Taking On Dictators and ‘Demon-Summoning Family Next Door’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned entertainment enthusiast with a penchant for international productions, I find myself captivated by the rich and diverse lineup presented here. With my fingers crossed for these upcoming projects, let me share some thoughts based on my personal experiences and insights.


Audiovisual Producers Finland (APFI) has unveiled its Mipcom slate. 

Executive Director Laura Kuulasmaa hinted that the “varied” selection showcases the exceptional tale-spinning emerging from Finland.

The upcoming second season of “Untold Arctic Wars” documentary series delves into clandestine spying activities and armed confrontations during the Cold War, centering around the polar region.

Following the blockbuster success of its initial season, which was aired in nearly every significant region spanning the Americas, Europe, MENA, and Asia, TVF is teaming up with NTRNZ once more to distribute this upcoming season globally, according to Sam Joyce, TVF’s senior acquisitions manager.

History enthusiasts seeking fresh perspectives on modern history will find this series particularly captivating. It presents previously unheard testimonies and recently discovered archives, potentially reshaping our comprehension of global power dynamics during the Cold War era. This is the premium, globally-focused content that broadcasters are eagerly seeking, which explains the buzz among buyers even before its debut.

In a true-to-life account, the novel “The Truth Seeker” by Just Republic presents Helena Ranta, a forensic odontologist who was feared by many dictators worldwide: she confronted some of the most infamous dictators, including Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milošević.

Jemina Jokisalo, the show’s creator and writer, noted that Ranta had a unique career characterized by her work: identifying war victims during the tumultuous disintegration of Yugoslavia, serving as a witness against Milošević; camping in a tent alongside 80 men outside Saddam Hussein’s palace during Iraq’s intense bombardments; and dedicating herself to amassing evidence throughout her career.

Her true story is unlike any I’ve encountered before – it’s incredibly impactful. Although she has some recognition in Finland, I believe her life and accomplishments deserve global attention.

The company is planning to offer a more playful approach with the animated series “Cupid”, a show about a young, romantic character who develops an AI advisor for romance. However, this advice often results in mishaps and confusion. Jokisalo describes “Cupid” as a “fresh and entertaining exploration of contemporary love”.

Speaking about the series, Samuel Kirkhope and Fanni Mikkonen are in charge, and they plan to involve budding writers for an authentic feel. According to Jokisalo, the themes are universal, making it suitable for a wide audience. Additionally, since it’s animated, there is great potential for this series to gain popularity globally.

In the film “Queen of Everything,” which is currently being finalized, a real estate agent experiences a downfall from high society to rock bottom. Rather than surrendering, she aspires to rise again, and if necessary, she’s willing to align herself with the criminal underworld. Known for her successful local production “Stormskerry Maja,” Tiina Lymi is the director.

Fire Monkey Production is set to unveil two captivating projects: the psychological thriller “Healer,” where a fallen surgeon finds himself enmeshed in the world of wellness, and the disaster-themed drama sequel “Seconds 2.

In the show “Healer,” which explores alternative healing methods, two primary female characters embark on a passionate relationship. This romance becomes intertwined with their involvement in experimental treatments, suspicion, and mind-altering substances. The story unfolds on an ancient island fortress near the Helsinki shoreline. Producer Roope Lehtinen mentioned that the entire series was filmed there on location, praising its distinct and enchanting visuals. He additionally hinted at the upcoming season two of “Seconds.

In our initial season, we successfully captivated our audience. In Finland alone, over 85% of those who began watching completed the entire series. Now, we’re dealing with a fresh catastrophe: a high-rise building has collapsed. This time, our investigation team is confronted with a unique challenge as the disaster is still unfolding and there are lives that can potentially be saved.

Paul Simma (Safi) will concentrate on the “Reindeer Queen” thriller series, which follows an undercover cop who must go back to her roots in Lapland, and in “True North,” an Egyptian refugee finds employment with two Finnish sisters managing a catering business in southern Spain.

As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share that “Nurses Re-make Hub” delves into the professional and personal lives of trauma ward staff. On the other hand, Whatevergroup is set to launch a romantic comedy titled “Back to Surriento,” which will be available both as a series and a feature film. Additionally, they’re working on “Transporter,” a thrilling tale about a transplant coordinator who has only four hours to perform a life-saving heart transplant. Lastly, from the creators of Mutant Koala Pictures comes “Crème de la crème,” where a small-town fellow takes a daring gamble with an underground sperm bank.

In the end, the animated sitcom “Belzebubs” will greet a family next door who often summon demons, as its main character yearns for multiple roles – a devoted spouse, a diligent parent, and the lead singer of his heavy metal band that is known for wielding axes, sacrificing goats, and hailing Satan.

Although stories featuring female leads continue to thrive, it’s worth noting that a growing number of productions are centered around real-life events. Interestingly, a small portion of these projects are adapted from existing intellectual properties (IPs), indicating that Finnish producers and commissioners are exploring fresh concepts and ideas.

They are also venturing outside of Finland.

She noted that the initial season of “Untold Arctic Wars” was highly successful for YLE, as well as on a global scale, being acquired by more than 100 countries. Additionally, she highlighted two intriguing collaborative productions: “Back to Surriento,” a YLE-RAI joint venture, and “True North,” which was co-produced with Spain in partnership with Jamedia.

She mentioned that the reaction to our past exhibitions over the years has clearly shown a significant interest in captivating Finnish content, and we’re optimistic that this year’s projects will maintain that trend. However, APFI has decided to forgo its regular exhibition this year.

It appears that Mipcom is primarily known for its networking opportunities through meetings. Our goal is to showcase projects in various creative methods, and by organizing gatherings, we aim to foster fresh connections for potential future collaborations.

“Back to Surriento”

YLE and RAI

(4 x 25’ and 100’)

In pre-production

Writers: Dario Curator, Gugliemo Finazzer, Aleksi Puranen, Jens Martin Mienna

Production Company: Whatevergroup, co-produced by Viola Film

World Sales: Bravado Media

“Belzebubs”

YLE

(13 x 22’)

In Production

Writers: Jussi-Pekka Ahonen, Lassi Vierikko, Leo Viirret, Jenny Dahlstrom, Peter Mohan

Production Company: Pyjama Films, co-produced by Movimenti Production, Mago Production

International Broadcasters: RAI, TV3, PRIMA, RUV 

“Crème de la crème”

YLE

(8×30’)

In Development

Writers: Jukka Vidgren, Henna Rinnekangas, Topi Koljonen, Juuso Laatio, Anna Heinamaa

Production company: Mutant Koala Pictures, co-produced by Whatevergroup

“Cupid”

YLE

(8×15’)

In Development

Writers: Samuel Kirkhope, Fanni Mikkonen

Production Company: Just Republic 

“Fleak”

Animated Feature

YLE

In Post-Production

Writers: Antti Haikala, Melli Maikkula, Ilja Rautsi, Teemu Auersalo

Production Company: Anima Vitae, co-produced by Animoon, Godo Films

World Sales: All Right Entertainment

“Healer”

Elisa Viihde / Ruutu

(6 x 45’)

In Post-Production

Writer: Laura Suonen

Production Company: Fire Monkey 

“Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights”

Animated Feature

MTV

Finished

Writer: Kari Juusonen, Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorissen

As a film enthusiast, I was involved in a collaborative effort to bring a captivating cinematic experience to life. The production company responsible for this endeavor was Anima Vitae. Alongside them, the esteemed Ulysses Films and Moetion Films also lent their expertise, while A. Film Production played an integral role as well in the co-production of this masterpiece.

World Sales: Global Screen 

“Nurses Re-make Hub”

Nelonen

(20 x 22min / 10 x 45min)

Production Company: Yellow Film & TV

World Sales: Eccho Rights/ Yellow Film & TV

“Queen of Fucking Everything”

YLE

(6 x 50’) 

In Post-Production

Writer and director: Tiina Lymi

Production Company, International Distribution and World Sales: Rabbit Films

“Seconds 2”

YLE

(6×50’)

Writers: Laura Suhonen, Solina Riekkola, Helena Sorva

Production Company: Fire Monkey, co-produced by NDR Germany

World Sales: REinvent Studios

International Broadcatsers: NDR, SVT, NRK, DR

“Song of My Life”

Music Entertainment Show

YLE

In Production

(12×75’)

Writers: Frans Akerberg, Petja Peltomaa

Production Company: Yellow Film & TV

World Sales: ITV Formats

“The Boy Who Could Not Walk”

Svenska YLE

Feature Film In Development

Writers: Anna Blom, Annina Enckell

Production Company: Jamedia Production

“The Reindeer Queen”

YLE

(8×50)

In Development

Writer: Paul Simma

Production Company: Safi 

“The Truth Seeker”

(6×50’)

In Development

Writer: Jemina Jokisalo

Production Company: Just Republic 

“Transporter”

(6×45’)

In development

Writers: Aleksi Puranen, Matti Laine, Antii Kairakari

Production company: Whatevergroup 

“True North”

(6×45’)

In Development

Writers: Anna Blom, Kajsa Tornroth, Kaisa El Ramly, Antonio Moreno

Production Company: Jamedia Production, co-produced by The Aurora Project 

“Untold Arctic Wars,” Season 2

YLE

(6×52’)

Writers: Anna-Reeta Eksyma, Teemu Hostikka, who also directs

Production Company: NTRNZ Media Ltd

World Sales: TVF International

International Broadcasters: SVT, DR, NRK, RUV

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2024-10-18 14:19