As a seasoned film enthusiast with a knack for spotting promising talent and intriguing stories, I find myself thoroughly enthralled by the latest venture of Artem Vasilyev – the launch of Lazy Sunday. This new Irish-based production label promises to be a fascinating bridge between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, and I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of witnessing the blossoming of untold Eastern European stories on the international stage.

Artem Vasilyev, a Russian entrepreneur and head of Metrafilms and its animation division Studio Metrafilms, has introduced a fresh venture named Lazy Sunday, located in Ireland. This new company is committed to nurturing and producing both animated and live-action productions intended for global viewers.

Vasilyev anticipates that the new attire will function as a connection, uniting Western Europe with Eastern Europe, and simultaneously strengthening ties with his existing operational base in Moldova.

He firmly expressed his conviction that Eastern Europe is brimming with top-tier talent and untold tales of intrigue, which he believes the international film industry stands to gain significantly from. With its background, history, and current standing, Lazy Sunday is uniquely positioned to connect East and West, offering a platform for this hidden gem of talent.

On a leisurely Sunday, we find ourselves discussing about a company named Lazy Sunday, which plans to establish its office in Dublin. Interestingly, this is none other than the rebranded Irish division of Film and Music Entertainment, a production company founded by Mike Downey. As Downey has decided to retire, Vasilyev shares that he was approached by the producer, asking if he would be interested in taking over the company.

Alan Keane, a seasoned creative producer with almost two decades in the animation and live-action sectors, will lead the company. He has been involved in highly praised projects like “The Amazing World of Gumball”, the Emmy-nominated “The Oddbods Show” thrice, and Sony Animation’s “Open Season: Call of Nature”.

Additionally, Vasilyev revealed an exciting collection of films and TV shows in both English and local languages, all to be produced under the Lazy Sunday brand.

In terms of cinema, the company is working on the next production of renowned Russian filmmaker Kirill Sokolov (“Why Don’t You Just Die”), who is wrapping up his debut English-language project in the U.S., titled “They Will Kill You”. The upcoming movie, entitled “Alone in the Ocean”, is inspired by the memoirs of Slava Kurilov, a Soviet, Canadian, and Israeli oceanographer. In 1974, he bravely fled the Soviet Union by leaping off a cruise ship and swimming to the Philippines. It’s rumored that an elite group of actors are in discussions to take on the leading roles.

In other locations, additional features are:

Renowned cinematographer Roman Vasyanov (“Fury,” “Suicide Squad”) is also taking on directorial duties for “The Teller Trip.” This film, penned by frequent collaborator Oleg Negin (“Leviathan,” “Loveless”), is a heart-wrenching tale of an old friend who pays a visit to a once prosperous plastic surgeon residing on a lavish island. Filming is scheduled to commence in Southeast Asia sometime between late 2025 and early 2026.

For Lazy Sunday’s television lineup, we have “High Season,” an 8-episode series currently in post-production, also from Ivanov. This action-packed drama revolves around the search for a vacationer whose vanishing is connected to a baffling new drug. Set in the Balkans, “Fingerblast” is a darkly humorous miniseries that chronicles the journey of a renowned video game star and delves into a story of redemption filled with mafia intrigue, forbidden romances, and family secrets. Lastly, “The List” is a crime-centered thriller inspired by Alisa Khazanova’s novel “The White List,” which was produced by Metrafilms, and follows two detectives as they unravel the mystery behind a string of teenage suicides.

Lazy Sunday also has a four-strong lineup of English-language animated projects, including the series “Occupation: Witch” (which pitched at Cartoon Forum), “Sonya From Toastville” and “Beep Boop,” and feature film “Cabbage vs. Carrot.”

As a passionate fan, I’m excited to share that we’re nurturing relationships with numerous talented individuals whom we’ve previously collaborated with. Filmmakers like Kirill Sokolov, Roman Vasyanov, and Alisa Khazanova, who have made their mark globally, are among them. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey, as each of these creators has a distinct voice that we aim to amplify and encourage.

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2024-12-17 15:46