A Q&A with cast member Toko Miura and producer Ayumi Sano will follow the screening.
At this year’s International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market, Mipcom Cannes, RX France (formerly Reed Midem) and Kansai TV will present the Asian world premiere of the drama series Elpis.
The 38th edition of Mipcom Cannes, which is scheduled to take place from October 17 to 20, will gather more than 10,000 senior international television producers, buyers, commissioners and creatives from the industry’s major studios and platforms worldwide. More than 300 exhibiting studios and distributors are confirmed to attend the market.
Staged on Tuesday, October 28, at 18.30 (CET) in the Grand Auditorium in Cannes’ Palais des Festivals, the screening will be followed by a Q&A with cast member Toko Miura alongside producer Ayumi Sano. The event also marks the first Asian world premiere to be staged at Mipcom Cannes since the pandemic.
Inspired by multiple true cases of false accusations, Elpis follows Ena Asakawa (Masami Nagasawa), a former network anchor whose star has faded due to scandal and now helms a late-night, less-formal magazine show. There an under-rated and rookie director Takuro Kishimoto (Gordon Maeda) begins to doubt a death row conviction which, together with Asakawa, make-up artist Cherry (Toko Miura) and star reporter Shouichi Saito (Ryohei Suzuki), they investigate and unravel as a state-wide conspiracy and cover-up.
The major commercial broadcaster in Japan’s Kansai region, Kansai TV is responsible for hit series including My Dear Exes, He Who Can’t Marry, and My Dangerous Wife. Their work has received international recognition including the US International Film & Video Festival and the Silver Plaque and Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards.
Speaking about the drama, Miho Okada, Executive Managing Director of Kansai TV said: “Though it deals with a serious issue, Elpis has darkly comedic dialogue along with a plot that will pack an emotional punch for viewers. We are very proud of what the amazing production team and performers have created, and to share it first in Cannes with our global industry is a privilege. We believe it is a show that will surprise in Japan and internationally this Fall.”
Lucy Smith, Director of Mipcom Cannes and Mipjunior, added: “The global appetite for authentic, authored international drama has never been stronger. The standard has also never been higher, with Elpis yet another exceptional example. We are thrilled to stage it and to bring the tradition of the Asian World Premiere back to this year’s full-strength Mipcom.”
The Asia world premiere is one of a series of high-profile screenings and events to be staged at Mipcom Cannes 2022.
