MUMBAI: MIPCOM and Entertainment One Television (eOne) announce the exclusive preview of the forthcoming event mini-series, “The Book of Negroes.” The MIPCOM 2014 World Premiere TV Screening is scheduled for Monday 13 October in the Grand Auditorium of Cannes’ Palais des Festivals at 6.30pm.
Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary of MIPCOM will take place in Cannes, 13-16 October 2014.
Lead actress Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help), Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr (Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men) and Oscar and Emmy winner Lou Gossett Jr (A Raisin in the Sun, Boardwalk Empire) are scheduled to appear at the screening, along with multi-award winning Director and Co-writer Clement Virgo (The Wire) and Executive Producer Damon D'Oliveira (What We Have). The star-studded miniseries also features Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue), Jane Alexander (The Cider House Rules), Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line) and Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle).
The mini-series is produced by Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, eOne and Idlewild Films.
The premiere screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director, producer and cast present. The talent will later walk the red carpet to attend the MIPCOM Opening Night Party.
A universal story of loss, courage and triumph, “The Book of Negroes” recounts the extraordinary journey of Aminata Diallo, an indomitable African woman who survives in a world in which everything seems to be against her. Kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa then sold into slavery in South Carolina, Aminata navigates her way through the American Revolution in New York, the isolated refuge of Nova Scotia and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone, before finally securing her freedom in England at the dawn of the 19th century.
The series is based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide (published as Someone Knows My Name in the US).
“The Book of Negroes” is made for Viacom’s BET Networks in the US and Canada’s CBC. World rights to the series in all media are being handled by eOne.
“We are honored and elated that “The Book of Negroes” has been officially selected for MIPCOM’S Opening Night Gala and that it will make its highly-anticipated premiere at the television world’s most prestigious and internationally-renowned event,” said Carrie Stein, Executive Vice President of Global Production, Entertainment One Television. “With the tremendous support of our partners at CBC, BET, Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment and Idlewild Films as well as the incredible work of our talented crew and cast led by Cuba Gooding Jr., Lou Gossett Jr., Aunjanue Ellis and Lyriq Bent, we’re extremely proud of this captivating, powerful and inspiring miniseries and look forward to presenting it in October.”
“We’re honoured to be hosting the exclusive premiere of this magnificent bestseller adaptation with its outstanding cast,” said Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division. “eOne’s launch of this high-profile mini-series at MIPCOM underlines the growing importance of the World Premiere TV Screening as a key industry event.”
Watch the trailer here
