High-profile Finnish creator and producer Marika Makaroff, credited for the hit animated series “Moominvalley” and Canneseries’ competition entry “L/Over,” has just obtained global rights to produce a TV series/film based on the story of Kim Casali, creator of the “Love Is….” brand. Announced on the first day of Canneseries, the pact was closed with Italian outfit Minikim of Stefano Casali, son of the legendary New Zealander cartoonist who created the world-famous romantic drawings in the late 1960s.
The illustrations – originally private small caricatures of the cartoonist and her Italian husband Roberto – first became public when published in the Los Angeles Times in 1970, then went on to conquer the world once syndicated to media outlets in over 50 countries.
The forthcoming three-part animation/live action “Love Is…” series (its title to be confirmed), billed as “a story of love, loss, strength and success,” will for the first time bring to the screen Kim Casali’s own life story.
It will be produced in close collaboration with Stefano Casali. The romance drama for young adults will tell not only Kim’s dreamlike journey to fame and her blissful relationship with Roberto, but also his sudden passing away from cancer aged 31, and Kim’s ground-breaking decision to then give birth to a child, using her late husband’s genetic material, as a way to fulfil their common wish.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with such an iconic brand and bring its inspiring and true love story to life on screen. The blend between heartfelt drama and animation will give a unique touch to the story as well,” said Makaroff.
“Love Is…” is produced by Makaroff’s new outfit Gutsy Pictures, as the seasoned executive has closed her former company Gutsy Animations. Her former banner which was backed by Moomin Characters Oy Ltd, was the home to four seasons of the hit Emmy-award nominated animated series “Moominvalley.”
Marika Makaroff
Credit: Vertti Luoma
New Gutsy Start
Although Gutsy Pictures marks a step forward for Makaroff and her closest team -head of international sales Katherine Senior and concept developer Emmi Nilivaara, the ‘Gutsy’ women will stick to the brand’s core values of “hope, acceptance, equality and life affirmation”. Being it drama or animation, we want to deliver high quality, but also meaningful stories that continue to live off screen, in people’s minds and hearts,” Makaroff told Variety.
The Cannes-selected “L/Over,” which Makaroff brought with her alongside non-Moomin related IP developed at Gutsy Animations, perfectly fits Gutsy’s DNA as a home for meaningful stories, with its theme of abusing control and self-liberation from the victim.
Based on Makaroff’s own experience of abuse, the story was co-created by the producer with U.K.-based Frog Stone (“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 Swithinbank, the series tells of single mum Roosa (Krista Kosonen, “Beforeigners,” “Blade Runner 2029”) who falls for the charismatic novelist Juha (Jani Volanen, “Bullets”). But his love degenerates in abusive control.
“Although “L/Over” tells a dark and suspenseful story, it offers a way out. This is a meaningful story which hopefully will help people realize that they are in a toxic relationship. I was in such a relationship for years but it took me a long time to admit it,” said Makaroff.
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 from TV4 Sweden and Copenhagen-based REinvent which handles global sales.
REinvent’s director of sales and marketing Helene Aurø is in Cannes for the show’s world premiere on April 25 alongside key cast and crew.
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