Ahead of its launch in France, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service Max unveiled at Series Mania Festival its pipeline of ambitious local scripted projects, “Malditos” (working title), the adaptation of “Living with our deads,” the memoir of Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur, and
“Malditos,” created by Jean Charles Hue (“Eat Your Bones”) and Olivier Prieur (“The Accident”), is an action-packed crime thriller revolving around the leader of a Gypsy community and her two sons who struggle to save their clan threatened with eviction by rising waters in Southern France. The series is produced by Eve Muller and Noor Sadar at Mediawan-owned White Lion Films, was penned by Hue, Prieur and Maya Haffar (“En thérapie”). Hue is directing the first five episode and Cécilia Verheyden (“Undercover”) is directing the remaining two.
Max has also boarded the series adaptation of the book “Living with our deads” (“Vivre avec nos morts”), which is...
“Malditos,” created by Jean Charles Hue (“Eat Your Bones”) and Olivier Prieur (“The Accident”), is an action-packed crime thriller revolving around the leader of a Gypsy community and her two sons who struggle to save their clan threatened with eviction by rising waters in Southern France. The series is produced by Eve Muller and Noor Sadar at Mediawan-owned White Lion Films, was penned by Hue, Prieur and Maya Haffar (“En thérapie”). Hue is directing the first five episode and Cécilia Verheyden (“Undercover”) is directing the remaining two.
Max has also boarded the series adaptation of the book “Living with our deads” (“Vivre avec nos morts”), which is...
- 3/20/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Max has unveiled a trio of French shows ahead of launch, with commissioning head Vera Peltekian saying “we don’t want to do a French Succession or White Lotus.“
Peltekian and French scripted boss Clémentine Bobin unveiled series about the Bataclan attacks, the gypsy community and an adaptation of a memoir by a French rabbi.
The previously-announced Bataclan series has been given title Black Lies and will co-star Laure Calamy and César-winning The Goldman Case actor Arieh Worthalter alongside Les Misérables’ Alexis Manenti and Mother And Son’s Annabelle Lengronne.
The show tells the story of a woman who cons her way into a victim’s association following the deadly attack in 2015. Produced by StudioFact Stories with June Films, the psychological thriller is directed by Just Philippot and written by Fanny Burdino, Jean-Baptiste Delafon, Samuel Doux and Alexandre Kauffmann. The story is loosely based on the non-fiction...
Peltekian and French scripted boss Clémentine Bobin unveiled series about the Bataclan attacks, the gypsy community and an adaptation of a memoir by a French rabbi.
The previously-announced Bataclan series has been given title Black Lies and will co-star Laure Calamy and César-winning The Goldman Case actor Arieh Worthalter alongside Les Misérables’ Alexis Manenti and Mother And Son’s Annabelle Lengronne.
The show tells the story of a woman who cons her way into a victim’s association following the deadly attack in 2015. Produced by StudioFact Stories with June Films, the psychological thriller is directed by Just Philippot and written by Fanny Burdino, Jean-Baptiste Delafon, Samuel Doux and Alexandre Kauffmann. The story is loosely based on the non-fiction...
- 3/20/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max platform has unveiled its first French originals slate ahead of its launch in the country this summer.
Max has just kicked off production for crime actioner Western Malditos set in the Gypsy community of Southern France. The series is produced by Eve Muller Noor Sadar of Mediawan’s White Lion Films and follows two brothers and mother as they fight to keep a dark secret from destroying their legacy.
It has also greenlit an adaptation of French female rabbi Delphine Horvielleur’s best-seller Living With Our Dead (Vivre Avec Nos Morts) that follows a young...
Max has just kicked off production for crime actioner Western Malditos set in the Gypsy community of Southern France. The series is produced by Eve Muller Noor Sadar of Mediawan’s White Lion Films and follows two brothers and mother as they fight to keep a dark secret from destroying their legacy.
It has also greenlit an adaptation of French female rabbi Delphine Horvielleur’s best-seller Living With Our Dead (Vivre Avec Nos Morts) that follows a young...
- 3/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Pierre Branco, general manager for Warner Bros. Discovery in France, Benelux and Africa, is stepping down from his position, Variety has learned.
Branco took the job a year ago and was previously country manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and head of affiliates and ad sales for Emea. A source close to the company said it was Branco’s decision to exit the banner. He’s the fourth high-ranking Wbd executive to depart in recent months amid an internal shakeup, following Emea boss Priya Dogra, Hannes Heyelmann, who headed Germany, and Robert Blair, the former boss international TV distribution.
“My 17 years at Wbd have been ones of immense pride and satisfaction,” Branco said in a statement.” The executive said it gave him “the privilege of working on the best brands and content in the business, collaborating with incredible colleagues and partners across the globe and leading...
Branco took the job a year ago and was previously country manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and head of affiliates and ad sales for Emea. A source close to the company said it was Branco’s decision to exit the banner. He’s the fourth high-ranking Wbd executive to depart in recent months amid an internal shakeup, following Emea boss Priya Dogra, Hannes Heyelmann, who headed Germany, and Robert Blair, the former boss international TV distribution.
“My 17 years at Wbd have been ones of immense pride and satisfaction,” Branco said in a statement.” The executive said it gave him “the privilege of working on the best brands and content in the business, collaborating with incredible colleagues and partners across the globe and leading...
- 10/3/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Don’t expect Warner Bros. Discovery’s French original programming team to follow Netflix and Amazon Prime Video’s trail and chase teen audiences.
Vera Peltekian, VP and head of streaming original production for the banner, says the standalone service’s bow in France “is on the roadmap” with a raft of “bold and director-driven Max originals targeting adult audiences in line with what the HBO brand is known for.”
Peltekian, who previously worked 15 years at Canal + and played a major role in the pay TV group’s critically acclaimed series such as “The Returned,” “Spiral” and “Savages,” revealed that Warner Bros. Discovery’s first French original will be “The Mythomaniac of the Bataclan,” a four-part series inspired by the true story of a woman who conned her way into a victims’ association and quickly became one of its pillars.
Now shooting on location in Paris, “The Mythomaniac of...
Vera Peltekian, VP and head of streaming original production for the banner, says the standalone service’s bow in France “is on the roadmap” with a raft of “bold and director-driven Max originals targeting adult audiences in line with what the HBO brand is known for.”
Peltekian, who previously worked 15 years at Canal + and played a major role in the pay TV group’s critically acclaimed series such as “The Returned,” “Spiral” and “Savages,” revealed that Warner Bros. Discovery’s first French original will be “The Mythomaniac of the Bataclan,” a four-part series inspired by the true story of a woman who conned her way into a victims’ association and quickly became one of its pillars.
Now shooting on location in Paris, “The Mythomaniac of...
- 4/5/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken the axe to its European staff, chopping 29 jobs in Europe, among them top programming positions, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Thursday.
Among the executives on the way out are Johnathan Young, vp, original programming and production at HBO Max Emea (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Christian Wikander, vp and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordic region; and Annelies Sitvast, who heads up the studios’ unscripted original programming slate. Mia Edde, who joined Wbd last year to run content acquisitions for Turkey, has already left.
The rest of the 29 employees, all of whom will be leaving Wbd over the next 15 months, come from these executives’ teams.
The cuts were expected following the merger of Discovery and Warner Bros. and the announcement by studio boss David Zaslav that the company was looking to find 3 billion in savings across its global business.
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken the axe to its European staff, chopping 29 jobs in Europe, among them top programming positions, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Thursday.
Among the executives on the way out are Johnathan Young, vp, original programming and production at HBO Max Emea (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Christian Wikander, vp and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordic region; and Annelies Sitvast, who heads up the studios’ unscripted original programming slate. Mia Edde, who joined Wbd last year to run content acquisitions for Turkey, has already left.
The rest of the 29 employees, all of whom will be leaving Wbd over the next 15 months, come from these executives’ teams.
The cuts were expected following the merger of Discovery and Warner Bros. and the announcement by studio boss David Zaslav that the company was looking to find 3 billion in savings across its global business.
- 8/25/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as it shifts its originals model for HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.
Variety was first to report in July of HBO Max’s decision to retreat from original programming in a number of European markets, and warn of layoffs within the programming team.
Under the new model, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to invest in local European commissions and acquisitions but original programming will be handled by the local linear and streaming teams. No shows will be commissioned solely for streaming.
The executives departing the company include Jonathan Young, VP original programming and production for Emea; Christian Wikander, VP and commissioning editor of original programming, Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
Mia Edde, executive director of content acquisitions in Turkey, has already left.
Those who are set to remain at the company are Antony Root,...
Variety was first to report in July of HBO Max’s decision to retreat from original programming in a number of European markets, and warn of layoffs within the programming team.
Under the new model, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to invest in local European commissions and acquisitions but original programming will be handled by the local linear and streaming teams. No shows will be commissioned solely for streaming.
The executives departing the company include Jonathan Young, VP original programming and production for Emea; Christian Wikander, VP and commissioning editor of original programming, Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
Mia Edde, executive director of content acquisitions in Turkey, has already left.
Those who are set to remain at the company are Antony Root,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Warner Bros. Discovery is letting go of 29 staff in Europe, including key programming execs, as it moves to phase out HBO Max European originals and shift towards a new local commissioning model, Deadline can reveal.
Among the top level execs leaving the business are HBO Max Emea VP Original Programming and Production Cee Johnathan Young; VP and Commissioning Editor of Original Programming, Nordics Christian Wikander; and Head of Unscripted Original Production Annelies Sitvast. Mia Edde, who joined last year as Executive Director, Content Acquisitions in Turkey has already left.
In total, 29 will depart over the next 15 months, with the other departures coming from the teams of the exiting executives.
Deadline understands Wbd will continue to invest in local commissions and acquisitions in Europe, but that original programming responsibilities will now be handled by the company’s local linear and streaming teams, and no commissions will be made purely for streaming.
Among the top level execs leaving the business are HBO Max Emea VP Original Programming and Production Cee Johnathan Young; VP and Commissioning Editor of Original Programming, Nordics Christian Wikander; and Head of Unscripted Original Production Annelies Sitvast. Mia Edde, who joined last year as Executive Director, Content Acquisitions in Turkey has already left.
In total, 29 will depart over the next 15 months, with the other departures coming from the teams of the exiting executives.
Deadline understands Wbd will continue to invest in local commissions and acquisitions in Europe, but that original programming responsibilities will now be handled by the company’s local linear and streaming teams, and no commissions will be made purely for streaming.
- 8/25/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Job cuts are expected at HBO Max Europe following a major strategic review that will see development of local originals halted in the Nordics and Central Europe.
The move comes as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger gathers pace and the outfit seeks £3B worth of savings within two years, with HBO Max set to be combined with Discovery+.
Deadline understands jobs at HBO Max Europe are at risk following the review, which will also see nascent development activities in the Netherlands and Turkey halted after less than a year. The details regarding potential redundancies are still being ironed out.
Shows in production or post-production in the Nordics, Central Europe and the Netherlands are being reviewed. Hits to have already emerged from the region include the likes of Denmark’s Kamikaze (pictured) and Sweden’s Lust.
Of the territories in which HBO Max has a footprint, only Spain and France are not impacted by the review.
The move comes as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger gathers pace and the outfit seeks £3B worth of savings within two years, with HBO Max set to be combined with Discovery+.
Deadline understands jobs at HBO Max Europe are at risk following the review, which will also see nascent development activities in the Netherlands and Turkey halted after less than a year. The details regarding potential redundancies are still being ironed out.
Shows in production or post-production in the Nordics, Central Europe and the Netherlands are being reviewed. Hits to have already emerged from the region include the likes of Denmark’s Kamikaze (pictured) and Sweden’s Lust.
Of the territories in which HBO Max has a footprint, only Spain and France are not impacted by the review.
- 7/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery’s post-merger growing pains and an eye-watering 3 billion cost-savings target are hitting its programming strategy in Europe, Variety can reveal.
As the media conglomerate looks to recalibrate its streaming priorities, it will no longer produce originals for HBO Max in the Nordics, Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey, and will also remove some content from its platform in order to free up licensing deals elsewhere.
In a statement shared with Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery said:
“As we continue to work on combining HBO Max and discovery+ into one global streaming service showcasing the breadth of content across Warner Bros. Discovery, we are reviewing our current content proposition on the existing services. As part of this process, we have decided to remove a limited amount of original programming from HBO Max, as well as ceasing our original programming efforts for HBO Max in the Nordics and Central Europe.
As the media conglomerate looks to recalibrate its streaming priorities, it will no longer produce originals for HBO Max in the Nordics, Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey, and will also remove some content from its platform in order to free up licensing deals elsewhere.
In a statement shared with Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery said:
“As we continue to work on combining HBO Max and discovery+ into one global streaming service showcasing the breadth of content across Warner Bros. Discovery, we are reviewing our current content proposition on the existing services. As part of this process, we have decided to remove a limited amount of original programming from HBO Max, as well as ceasing our original programming efforts for HBO Max in the Nordics and Central Europe.
- 7/4/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
In one of its first major overtures to the European drama community since expanding across the continent, HBO Max commissioners used a rare Series Mania presentation to lay out their strategies and wish lists for the platform.
The team was speaking as part of a panel on Wednesday that drew a queue of at least 500 people who were snaked around the Lille Grand Palais in hopes of getting in. HBO Max is, for many a drama producer in town, the ideal partner in Europe given its existing track record as HBO Europe.
Antony Root, executive VP and head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, presented the streamer’s four pillars for local originals: Local first; broad appeal; distinctive storytelling; and a diverse slate.
The task at hand, he said, is to drive subscriber acquisitions and “get people in who might not otherwise subscribe to the HBO channel, by having a broader slate.
The team was speaking as part of a panel on Wednesday that drew a queue of at least 500 people who were snaked around the Lille Grand Palais in hopes of getting in. HBO Max is, for many a drama producer in town, the ideal partner in Europe given its existing track record as HBO Europe.
Antony Root, executive VP and head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, presented the streamer’s four pillars for local originals: Local first; broad appeal; distinctive storytelling; and a diverse slate.
The task at hand, he said, is to drive subscriber acquisitions and “get people in who might not otherwise subscribe to the HBO channel, by having a broader slate.
- 3/23/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Toronto-bowed “Savages,” the kinetic, taut political thriller from Vivendi’s Canal Plus, imagines a French Obama – Idder Chaouch, of Algerian descent, played by a stately Roschdy Zem – poised in Paris to rule France as its first Maghrebi president.
If he survives an assassination attempt.
Yet, created and co-written by novelist Sabri Louatah and cineast Rebecca Zlotowski, who also directs, the six-part limited series kicks off, in a total declaration of intentions, 250 miles south in the dowdy city of Saint-Étienne.
From a slow sweep establishing shot, it’s a motley, downbeat mix of high-rise council apartment blocks and hills. Cut to two sisters, Dounia and Rabia Nerrouche, in a car, running through the guest list for the wedding of Slim, Dounia’s youngest.
“Arab, Arab, Arab! Mekloufi, Arab. Sahraoui, Arab. Benboudaud, big fat Arab! All Arabs: Are you serious?” asks Rabia in semi-mock disgust, using a more derogatory word in French for “Arab.
If he survives an assassination attempt.
Yet, created and co-written by novelist Sabri Louatah and cineast Rebecca Zlotowski, who also directs, the six-part limited series kicks off, in a total declaration of intentions, 250 miles south in the dowdy city of Saint-Étienne.
From a slow sweep establishing shot, it’s a motley, downbeat mix of high-rise council apartment blocks and hills. Cut to two sisters, Dounia and Rabia Nerrouche, in a car, running through the guest list for the wedding of Slim, Dounia’s youngest.
“Arab, Arab, Arab! Mekloufi, Arab. Sahraoui, Arab. Benboudaud, big fat Arab! All Arabs: Are you serious?” asks Rabia in semi-mock disgust, using a more derogatory word in French for “Arab.
- 9/11/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.