STREAMING
Four-part documentary series “Murder of God’s Banker” is set for a global debut on streamer Paramount+.
In 1982, Roberto Calvi, a fugitive financier known as “God’s Banker,” was found hanging from London’s Blackfriars Bridge. What starts as an investigation surrounding one man’s death, quickly expands into a story of international intrigue, as it’s revealed that Calvi was in business with the Vatican, the Mafia, as well as neo-fascist groups in Italy. The documentary uses archival footage, stylized dramatizations and interviews with notable journalists and historians to uncover the truth behind Calvi’s murder while delving into the layers of corruption at the root of global money and power.
The series is produced by Paramount, in partnership with Creative Chaos vmg. It is written and directed by Tom Donahue. Executive producers include Ilan Arboleda, Donahue and Mike Holz, with Jessicya Materano and Jordan Bogdonavage as co-executive producers.
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It will premiere Feb. 24 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Latin America, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France.
FIRST LOOK
Anton has released a first look at action thriller “Jackdaw,” a marking the feature film debut of Jamie Childs, known for directing series “Willow,” “The Sandman” and “His Dark Materials.” Oliver Jackson-Cohen (“Emily”), Jenna Coleman (“The Serpent”), Thomas Turgoose (“This Is England”), Allan Mustafa (“The Curse”) and Rory McCann (“Game of Thrones”) star in the film, which filmed across England’s north east coast. Anton fully financed with the support of North East Screen and will handle worldwide sales at the upcoming European Film Market at Berlin.
Set over the course of a single night, the film follows Jack (Jackson-Cohen), a former motocross champion and army veteran, now caring for his younger brother. Broke, he agrees to do an open water pick up of a mysterious illegal package in the North Sea. A resulting double cross and his brother’s disappearance set Jack and his old bike on a violent nocturnal odyssey through England’s northern rust belt.
The film is produced by Sebastian Raybaud (“Greenland”) and Callum Grant for Anton, Kate Glover (“47 Meters Down”) and Childs.
COMMISSION
Ukrainian studio FILM.UA has revealed that SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway) and YLE (Finland) have jointly commissioned six-part anthology series “Those Who Stayed,” co-developed by FILM.UA and Red Arrow Studios International. The series is inspired by the true stories of Ukrainians who decided to stay in Kyiv, following the beginning of the Russian invasion.
“Those Who Stayed” (6 x 30’) is produced by Film.UA and producers for the project are Anna Eliseeva, Kateryna Vyshnevska, with Anastasiia Lodina serving as showrunner. Red Arrow Studios International is handling global distribution.
Principal photography is planned for March.
PRODUCTION
Season 2 of hit Netflix series “Surviving Summer” has commenced production on the beaches and surf coast of Victoria, Australia. The series is created by Joanna Werner and Josh Mapleston and produced by Werner Film Productions for ZDF Studios and Netflix. ZDF Studios is in charge of worldwide distribution outside Netflix’ rights.
The second season follows Summer Torres, when she returns to Shorehaven and stuns her Aussie mates with her newfound surf skills. As she pursues her surfing dream, she’ll contend with rollercoaster romances, a mysterious new coach and a rival surfer determined to take her down. It is directed by Sian Davies along with Christian Van Vuuren.
Returning cast includes Sky Katz returns as Summer, Kai Lewins, João Gabriel Marinho, Savannah La Rain and reigning Open Women’s Queensland Surf Champion Lilliana ‘Lil’ Bowrey. Joining the cast this season are Olympia Valance, Annabel Wolfe and Josh MacQueen.
The series received production support from Vic Screen.
FESTIVAL
London’s Science Museum will host its first Science Fiction Film Festival (March 8-12) with a program that includes “Interstellar”, with a pre-recorded introduction by director Christopher Nolan and visual effects supervisor, Paul Franklin; “2001: A Space Odyssey,” with a talk including Nicole Stott, veteran NASA astronaut; “Tenet,” introduced by Nolan; “Alien,” followed by a panel including actor Veronica Cartwright and Edwina Dunn, founder of The Female Lead; “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” introduced by star Shameik Moore and director Peter Ramsey; “WALL-E,” introduced by a conversation with Danielle Feinberg, Pixar Animation Studios; and the IMAX edition of “Blade Runner: The Final Cut,” presented for the first time in Europe.
“Sunshine” will be followed by a post-screening Q&A with director Danny Boyle, science advisor Professor Brian Cox and astrophysicist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. The 30th anniversary of “The X-Files” will be marked with the pilot episode presented on one of the biggest screens in the UK. featuring a Q&A with the creator Chris Carter and science advisor to the series, Anne Simon.
The lineup also includes “Attack the Block,” with director Joe Cornish taking part in a Q&A and the event also features a talk about the search for aliens by Jill Tarter, co-founder of the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute; and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” where Alex Winter, who played Bill, and Ed Solomon, co-creator of the Bill & Ted franchise will speak with physicists about current research into time travel.