L/About ‘Producer Marika Makaroff turns to “Love Is …” for Gutsy Pictures

Speech-made Finnish maker and producer Marika Makaroff, credited for the hit animation series “Moomin Valley” and Canneseries’ competition entry “L/Over”, has just obtained worldwide rights to produce a TV series/film on the basis of the story of Kim Casali, maker of the “.”. brand. Announced on the first day of Canneseries, the Pact was closed with the Italian outfit Minikim of Stefano Casali, son of the legendary cartoonist in New Zealander who created the world-famous romantic drawings in the late sixties.

The illustrations – originally private small caricatures of the cartoonist and her Italian husband Roberto – were first public when they were published in the Los Angeles Times in 1970 and then conquered the world that was once syndicated with media in more than 50 countries.

The upcoming three -part animation/live promotion “Love is …” series (the title to be confirmed), invoiced as “A Story of Love, Loss, Strength and Success”, will put the own life story of Kim Casali on the screen for the first time.

It will be produced in close collaboration with Stefano Casali. The romance drama for young adults will not only tell Kim’s dreamy journey to fame and her delightful relationship with Roberto, but also his sudden death of cancer at the age of 31, and Kim’s groundbreaking decision to give birth to a child, using the genetic material of her deceased husband, as a way to fulfill their common desire.

“We are pleased to work with such an iconic brand and to bring its inspiring and true love story to the screen. The mix between sincere drama and animation will also give a unique test to the story,” Makaroff said.

“Love is …” is produced by the new outfit Gutsy Pictures of Makaroff, because the seasoned director has closed her former company Gutsy Animations. Her former banner who was supported by Moomin characters Oy Ltd, was the home of four seasons of the Hit Emmy-Award nominated animation series “Moomin Valley”.

New Gutsy Start

Although Gutsy Pictures marks a step forward for Makaroff and her closest team -head of the international sale Katherine Senior and concept developer Emmi Nilivaara, the ‘Gutsy’ women will adhere to the core values ​​of the brand of “Hope, Acceptance, Equality and Life Affirmate”. Because it is drama or animation, we want to deliver high quality, but also meaningful stories that continue to live on the screen, in the heads and hearts of people, “Makaroff said Variety.

The ‘l/over’ selected by Cannes, which Makaroff brought with her in addition to non-Moomin-related IP developed at Gutsy Animations, fits perfectly with Gutsy’s DNA as a home for meaningful stories, with the theme abuse of control and self-bridge of the victim.

Based on Makaroff’s own experience with abuse, the story was co -created by the producer with the British frog (“bucket”) and author Nina Honkanen whose novel “Pohjakosketus” (“Running Aground”) was a loose inspiration for the fiction material.

Written by Stone with Bafta nominated Kevin Rundle (“Hollyoaks”) and Sophie Swithin Bank, tells the series about single mother Roosa (Krista Kosons, “Prioreigners”, “Blade Runner 2029”) who falls for the Charismic novel scheme (Jani Volans, “Bullets,” Bullets, “Bullets,” “Bullets,” “Bullets,” Bullets, ” But his love degenerates in abuse control.

“Although” l/over “tells a dark and exciting story, it offers a way out. This is a meaningful story that will hopefully help people realize that they have a poisonous relationship. I had a relationship for years, but it took me a long time to admit it,” Makaroff said.

The show, directed by Aleksi Salmenperä, was produced for Finland’s commercial platform MTV, in co-production with Benelux’s Lumiere Group, with co-financing of TV4 Sweden and Copenhagen-based Reinvent that handles the worldwide sale.

Reinvent’s Director of Sales and Marketing Helene Aurø is in Cannes for the world premiere of the show on 25 April next to Key Cast and Crew.