Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Max Malka

  1. Endemol Shine Finland Has Found Its Supporting Actor with Nelonen

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay, today confirms Endemol Shine Finland will produce Supporting Actor, known locally as Kurjen Kirous, for Nelonen and Ruutu. Written and directed by Niklas Lindgren (Idiomatic, Bad Women), this eight-episode dramedy stars Kari Ketonen and Antti Holma, and will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

    Kari Ketonen (Wingman, Lapland Odyssey trilogy, Ketonen & Myllyrinne) stars as Aki Kurki, a talented but difficult actor who has been stuck in supporting roles, never landing the leading parts. When a fortune teller reveals this is due to a curse that has been placed on him, he must begin a process of self-reflection. However, his lifelong focus on fame has led to a lot of burnt bridges that he now has to mend to find out who is responsible. One of the only people he can truly trust is his manager played by Antti Holma (Love and Order, Tatu and Patu). Endemol Shine Finland’s (a Banijay company) Max Malka and Unne Sormunen will serve as the show’s executive producers.

    Niklas Lindgren, Writer/Director says: “Kari Ketonen and Antti Holma are Finnish comedy royalty who have never before been seen in a scripted series together. It has been a great pleasure to finally unite them. Together with the other great actors on the show, we’ve created a dramedy that makes you laugh, but hopefully also makes you think about what success is and why we have such a compulsive need to pursue it.”

    Max Malka, Head of Scripted at Endemol Shine Finland/Producer comments: “This series offers a satirical take on the industry and what success really means. Talented comedic actors combined with Niklas Lindgren’s exceptional writing and directing, makes this project a fresh dramedy for large audiences. After several years of attentive development, I’m so pleased to work on this as our next scripted project for Nelonen.”

    Supporting Actor is the second scripted show from Endemol Shine Finland and follows Dance Brothers, a co-production with Netflix and Yle, which was Netflix’s first Finnish original series to premiere globally, and will air later on Yle.

  2. Producer Paria Eskandari Joins Endemol Shine Finland

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    Endemol Shine Finland, today announces Paria Eskandari will join the acclaimed company as a producer. Starting in August, she will bolster the scripted arm of the company, reporting to Head of Scripted Max Malka.

     

    Having worked on prestigious international feature films, Eskandari will work with Max Malka as a producer of Endemol Shine Finland’s scripted series and films. She joins from Aamu Film Company, where she line-produced the award-winning films, Any Day Now and Cannes Grand Prix winner Compartment No.6, as well as The Woodcutter Story, which premiered at this year’s Cannes Critics’ Week. In addition, Eskandari has worked on the new YA series, Zone-B, for Yle, as well as several documentaries and short films.

    Max Malka, Head of Scripted at Endemol Shine Finland comments: “Paria is well-known as a dedicated filmmaker who focuses on both the story and the people. She has a fantastic reputation within the film community, and her expertise will ensure we further grow our scripted slate and bring our know-how to the Finnish and international market. It’s going to be an absolute pleasure to work on several interesting new projects together.”

    Paria Eskandari says: “I am excited to get an opportunity to start building productions at Endemolshine Finland. It is important that I have inspiring talents around me that share the same values as I do. Having always admired Max Malka as a filmmaker, I can’t wait to start creating unique stories together.”

    Unne Sormunen, Managing Director of Endemol Shine Finland adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Paria Eskandari to our talented scripted team and Banijay’s stellar international collective of producers. With Paria’s enthusiasm and talent, we can further build our slate of sustainably produced projects aimed at local and international markets.”

    Endemol Shine Finland, a Banijay company, is one of the country’s largest production companies, with a strong portfolio of non-scripted hits including Big Brother, LEGO® Masters, MasterChef, as well as new original IP Save the Date. The company is also producing premium scripted shows like the Netflix-Yle co-production Dance Brothers, set to premiere in 2023.

  3. Samuel Kujala and Roderick Kabanga Star in Dance Brothers – The First Finnish Series Premiering Globally on Netflix

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    Today, Netflix announced that Samuel Kujala and Roderick Kabanga will play the leading roles in Dance Brothers, the first Finnish series premiering globally on Netflix. The young adult drama series is a co-production between Netflix and Yle, and is created and produced by Max Malka at Banijay’s Endemol Shine Finland.

    Dance Brothers centers around the two brothers Roni (Roderick Kabanga) and Sakari (Samuel Kujala), as they struggle to make a living as professional dancers. To help finance their dance dreams they decide to start their own club, which provides income, housing and a training space. Their unique club and impressive dance routines quickly bring them fame. Soon artistic ambitions and personal relationships collide with commercial demands, it’s business versus passion. The loyalty and love the brothers have for each other will be tested by the one thing that always united them – dance.

    Kai Finke, Director EMEA TV Licensing at Netflix: “I am thrilled to share that our Finnish language co-production Dance  Brothers is currently filming in Helsinki. In Yle and with Endemol Shine Finland we are happy to have two incredibly strong local partners. I can’t wait to see this story come to life, and I am convinced the show will appeal to both a local and a global audience. ”

    Max Malka, Head of Scripted at Endemol Shine Finland: “This is a special project, not only because it is a unique and ground-breaking take on the dance genre, but we have created a series that will showcase the very best of Finnish creativity on all levels. The combination of high-quality drama, exciting dance and a diverse group of talent makes this the dream project for us.”

    Other cast members include Jeanine Muyima, Fanni Noroila, Lauri Lohi, Eeva Eloranta and ​​Cristal Snow.

    Dance Brothers is a co-production between Netflix and Yle, and produced by Banijay’s Endemol Shine Finland. The series is directed by Taito Kawata, and created and produced by Max Malka, who also serves as writer together with Reeta Ruotsalainen.

    The Finnish language series will release globally on Netflix in 2023 and will later also be available on Yle. Premiere date is still to be announced.