The makers of one of the biggest international hits in Japanese TV history are in Cannes to promote their latest drama series to the market.
The writer, director and producer of Mother — a previous winner of the MIPCOM Buyers’ Award — and Woman, a later exploration of a similar theme, are at MIPTV on the back of a phenomenally successful run of sales which have seen the formats picked up in over 20 overseas markets.
Nippon TV, which produced both shows, is in Cannes this week to showcase its latest production and speak with potential broadcast partners. The drama, Anone — which won the MIPCOM Buyers’ Award for Japanese Drama in October — covers the ways in which isolated and lonely individuals seek out meaningful connections with strangers.
Yuji Sakamoto, scriptwriter for all three dramas, put their success down to their authenticity and universal appeal.
He said: “Japanese dramas tend to be very national, and depict very ordinary everyday stories. But we are creating very strong stories with powerful messages about the lives of women who are not given a strong voice in Japan. The shows have been adapted all over the world and have been popular, which proves their international potential. We think Anone will have the same appeal.”
Mother is one of the most successful ever exports from Japan, receiving critical and popular praise in numerous markets including Turkey, where an adapted version of the format has proved a huge success. A Turkish adaptation of Woman is currently in production.
And Tuesday Nippon TV announced its latest international production partnership, in a major deal signed with French producer Incognita to begin work on a version of Mother for France.
This and more in the MIPTV News.
