Globo and Sony Pictures Television partner for multi-series deal to co-produce english-language dramas for global audiences
17-05-2019
‘The Angel of Hamburg’ and ‘Rio Connection’ to be the first two projects under new deal
[Los Angeles, May 17, 2019] Globo, Latin America’s leading multi-platform content producer and Sony Pictures Television (SPT), have announced today a multi-project deal to co-develop and co-produce two English-language scripted dramas, with a third project forthcoming. SPT-backed Floresta is set to co-produce the exciting new projects in partnership with Globo Studios.
The collaboration marks the first venture into English-language drama for both Floresta and Globo Studios. The first two projects in development, ‘The Angel of Hamburg’ and ‘Rio Connection’, are based on true Brazilian stories that highlight the country’s incredible legacy of heroism and scandal on the world stage. SPT will have global distribution rights outside of Brazil, while Globo plans to broadcast it on its free-to-air channel in primetime and on Grupo Globo’s platforms.
‘The Angel of Hamburg’, a limited series with lavish production, is based on the life of Aracy de Carvalho, a Brazilian clerk in the Consulate in Hamburg, married to the acclaimed writer João Guimarães Rosa, and who secretly helped hundreds of Jews escape to Brazil during the Nazi regime in Germany. ‘Rio Connection’ centers on the real-life story of the European gangsters who established Brazil as the single most important organized crime hub for trafficking heroin into the United States in the 1970s.
“We are extremely excited to team up with the production powerhouse, Globo Studios, on these three projects. ‘The Angel of Hamburg’ and ‘Rio Connection’ are the latest examples of our commitment to tell compelling, locally relevant stories that have universal appeal and can resonate with audiences around the world,” said Wayne Garvie, President of International Production for Sony Pictures Television. “The ongoing collaboration between Sony and Globo to create premium English – language series from Brazil, a real first for both of us, has been a terrific meeting of creative minds, and we look forward to the production phase later this year.”
Carlos Henrique Schroder, Chief Executive Officer of Globo added: “It is a great honor to be able to create and produce content in partnership with Sony Pictures, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. We are excited to venture into new challenges, exchange experiences with our new partner and potentially tap into new markets. The production of ‘The Angel of Hamburg’ and ‘Rio Connection’ is one more step Globo has taken in its pursuit of becoming an international player in the production of high-end drama and short-format content. We believe in the universal appeal of these stories and in the power they have to move audiences on a global scale.”
Both productions are under responsibility of Globo’s Monica Albuquerque, Head of Development, and Silvio de Abreu, Head of Drama and Comedy. The executive production is from Floresta’s Elisabetta Zenatti and Globo Studios Ricardo Waddington. ‘The Angel of Hamburg’ is written by Mario Teixeira (‘Crashing into the Future’, ‘Lady Revolution’) and Rachel Anthony (“Ransom”, “Mistresses”), and Jayme Monjardim (‘The Clone’) will direct.
Photo: Raphael Corrêa Netto (Head of International Business of Globo), Monica Albuquerque (Head of Development of Globo), Silvio de Abreu (Head of Drama and Comedy of Globo), Elisabetta Zenatti (Managing Director of Floresta) and Brendan Fitzgerald (SVP English language coproduction).
Credits: Globo/ Ricardo Cohen
About Globo
Being one of the world’s leading communications company requires great creativity, professionalism and investment in quality and innovation. Globo produces close to 3,000 annual hours of drama and entertainment, as well as over 3,000 hours of journalism. Programs, series and interviews with a high standard of quality that have received over 90 nominations in the International Emmy Awards and won 17 awards. The company has also had its works screened in renowned international festivals such as the Berlinale (Germany), Series Maria (France) and TIFF (Canada). Currently, the network covers 98.6% of Brazilian territory, reaching 99.5% of the population 122 affiliated broadcasting stations throughout the country. More than 90% of the network's programming is produced in-house, making Globo the country's largest job provider for artists, writers, journalists and producers. For more information: https://screening.globo.com/about.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating 24 wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies in 12 countries, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. Sony Pictures Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.