08/10/2018 - Some of RAI’s most recent high-budget co-productions, based on best-selling novels, touch down at the annual Cannes trade show

RAI Com – the Italian public broadcaster division in charge of selling content rights – is presenting several new titles at MIPCOM (Marché International des Programmes de Communication), which is taking place in Cannes from 15 to 18 October: TV series, films, programs for children and families, documentaries, entertainment, performing arts and sports, and television adaptations of great literary successes. Included in the line-up is the international bestseller by Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose [+see also:
series review
series profile], which sold 50 million copies in 40 languages. With a budget of €26 million for eight episodes and an international cast that includes John Turturro and Rupert Everett, supported by more than 300 actors, the TV series directed by Giacomo Battiato has involved a crew of over 200 people and two production units in one of the largest productions Cinecittà has seen over the past thirty years. RAI Com will also be presenting the TV series and international literary phenomenon My Brilliant Friend [+see also:
series review
series profile], an eight-episode series directed by Saverio Costanzo, adapted from the novels by the mysterious Elena Ferrante (more than 10 million copies sold worldwide - read the review here). After an excellent reception from audience members and critics at the 75^th Venice Film Festival, the first two episodes of My Brilliant Friend were released at a special film event with Nexo Digital for three days only, conquering the box office and beating its blockbuster "rival" The Incredibles 2. 

"Among the top titles RAI Com is bringing to Cannes is the new production Escape from Mafia - A Family Saga by Ricky Tognazzi, as well as new episodes of the TV drama Ladies Paradise, directed by Monica Vullo," David Bogi, Head of International Distribution Marketing and Business Development at RAI Com, explained to Cineuropa, who asked Bogi what makes these titles appealing to buyers at MIPCOM. "The first two series are RAI’s most recent high-budget co-productions, based on best-selling novels. Distribution by RAI Com involves territories in the Community of Independent States (CSI) and Europe. Successful brands, high quality and Italian storytelling will attract buyers from all over the world. Ladies Paradise is a long-standing format that highlights the colourful Italian excellence of fashion in the 1950s and 1970s in order to capture daily life during that period of time, focusing on the international female target.” 

As part of its catalogue, RAI Com will also be presenting the new multi-platform project Donne, adapted from the homonymous book by Andrea Camilleri and the series Sewer Rats in Mafia by Antonio Albanese. Among the documentaries is Arrivederci Saigon [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Wilma Labate (presented in the Sconfini section at Venice 2018), as well as various 4K TV series edited by Alberto Angela and dedicated to the extraordinary Italian cultural heritage, such as A Night in Pompeii, Palermo and Meraviglie and A Journey in Italy - The Land of Treasures. 

"Our job is to bring the best RAI and Italian content to an international audience and to improve our catalogue year after year," highlights David Bogi. For fans of classical music, this season also involves three new live performances at some of the most prestigious theatres in Italy, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice. 

RAI Com has also further enhanced its film line-up, with new titles such as Una storia senza nome [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Roberto Andò, presented out of competition at Venice Film Festival, and We’ll Be Young and Beautiful [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Letizia Lamartire
film profile] by Letizia Lamartire, winner of the Soundtrack Award at Venice.

(Translated from Italian)