AB International Distribution Preps MIPCOM Slate

LA PLAINE SAINT DENIS,
July 26: AB International Distribution has unveiled two highlights for its
MIPCOM slate: the 8×52-minute thriller The Avignon Prophecy and the 12×52-minute detective series The
Rookies.

The Avignon Prophecy will air on France 2 beginning in August. AB
International Distribution holds the worldwide television rights to the show,
which finds its characters on a quest in the heart of the Popes’ Palace in
Avignon, where a majority of the filming took place. The series stars Louise
Monot (Prête moi ta main/Rent
a Wife) as a Estelle Esperanza, a
28-year-old curator’s assistant at the Popes’ Palace, who discovers a medieval
rose window that could be the first step in the revelation of the Avignon Prophecy, which is said to predict the
world's future up to the fourth millennium. The series also stars Guillaume
Cramoisan, Bruno Madinier (Dolmen),
Claude Gensac (The Gendarme of Saint Tropez), Annie Gregorio, Marthe Keller (Marathon Man) and François Dunoyer. The series is budgeted at 8
million euros.

The Avignon Prophecy was produced by Merlin Productions, directed by
David Delrieux, and written by Emmanuelle Rey-Magnan and Pascal Fontanille.

Producers François
Aramburu and Pascal Fontanille commented: “Where different genres meet, the
tale of the Avignon Prophecy is above all one which we'd like to follow,
installment after installment, as ordinary viewers. This series doesn't
necessarily aim to respect stereotypes, but it is situated at the crossroads of
historical investigation, a supernatural thriller, a detective story and
romance. It chronicles the life of ordinary people who embark on an
extraordinary journey. Even if the emphasis is on the 'suspense', 'quest' and
'mystery,' we didn't want the story to only be about a search for treasure.
Indeed, the choice of the director, David Delrieux, corresponded with this
desire for true emotions and real depth to the characters.”

The Rookies has already fared well in its home market. The
90-minute pilot, directed by Alain Tasma, broadcast on February 8, 2006 and
attracted 5.1 million viewers (20.8 percent of viewers aged four and above and
31.5 percent of viewers in the category of housewives over 50 years old). The
show follows five young trainee cops—three men and two women—who meet
in a regional police station (SRPJ) in the Paris suburbs. The 12×52-minute series
is produced by Cipango and directed by Vincent Monnet, Didier Le Pêcheur and
Patrick Poubel.