Banijay Rights to sell International Emmy-nominated Israeli dramedy Fifty to French and German broadcaster Arte

Banijay Rights to sell International Emmy-nominated Israeli dramedy Fifty to French and German broadcaster Arte

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 12-Jul-2021 — /EuropaWire/ — Banijay, one of the largest international content producer and distributor with over 150 production companies across 22 territories, has announced that Banijay Rights will sell the International Emmy-nominated Israeli dramedy Fifty to French and German broadcaster Arte.

Produced by Endemol Shine Israel for Israeli broadcaster Yes TV, the Hebrew-language dramedy Fifty tells the story of 49-year-old widowed screenwriter Alona Nachmias, who is struggling to raise her three children: 22-year-old Carmel, 17-year-old Yali and 11-year-old Shira.

Alona has two important goals to achieve before she turns 50; to sign a development deal for a comedy series and to have sex. By the end of the season she will achieve one of these.

The eight-part series is created by renowned novelist and screenwriter Yael Hedaya, one of the writers behind the acclaimed Israeli TV drama series Betipul (In Treatment). Directed by award-winning director Daphna Levine, co-creator of Euphoria, the comedy drama stars Ilanit Ben-Yaakov who also starred in the original Your Honor.

The series will premiere on arte.tv from July 16, 2021.

Isabelle Queme, SVP Sales, French-speaking EMEA Banijay Rights, said: “Fifty is a witty take on the life of a 49-year-old widow as she navigates family responsibilities with attempts to land a script development, and the desire to have sex again. Along with the emotional rollercoaster she faces going through the menopause, this story has all the elements which make life interesting, and we expect Fifty will resonate strongly with audiences across France and Germany.”

Yael Hedaya, creator and screenwriter, added: “Fifty is inspired and fuelled by the charged particles of my life as a writer and a single mother by choice, of three children. The single part was not by choice, but the kids were. Everyone admires me for my courage, but truth is I was probably just exploring new methods of self-destruction. When I turned 50 I decided to let nature do the job, so that I can sit back and enjoy being an aging dysfunctional parent.” 

Banijay Rights is the exclusive distributor of Fifty across all platforms and has the rights to produce and license local versions of the show around the world. Fifty was nominated for an International Emmy in the Best Comedy category.

Led by Amir Ganor, Endemol Shine Israel is behind numerous internationally recognised scripted productions including Just for Today (yes TV) Queens, Harem, Nevsu – winner of the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy, as well as The Store That Has It All.

Recent credits also include last year’s success, Valley of Tears, the epic 10-episode limited series, co-produced by Endemol Shine Israel with West End Films, and United King. Based on true events of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the title launched on Kan11 and sold to HBO Max.

SOURCE: Banijay Group