VIS AND MINERVA PICTURES ANNOUNCE MISS FALLACI TAKES AMERICA”

VIS AND MINERVA PICTURES ANNOUNCE “MISS FALLACI TAKES AMERICA”

THE FIRST PARAMOUNT+ ORIGINAL FOR ITALY

Series to portray the story of Oriana Fallaci, iconic Italian journalist, during the ’50s and ’60s

VIS, the international studio division of ViacomCBS Network International (VCNI), and Minerva Pictures, the independent Italian film production and distribution company, today announce their first co-production for the TV series “Miss Fallaci Takes America.” The ambitious series will be the first Paramount+ Original set for the ViacomCBS-owned premium streaming service, following its Italian launch in 2022.

“As we continue to expand Paramount+ internationally, local content is critical. We’re excited that Minerva will be our first partner to create Italy’s first Paramount+ Original series,” – said Laura Abril, Senior Vice President and Head of VIS EMEA and Asia. “I’m sure that the fascinating story of Oriana Fallaci, who became part of the history of international journalism, will capture the attention of both Italian and international audiences.”

“We are particularly pleased to produce our first series together with ViacomCBS International Studios, an international partner that focuses on the quality of the product and with whom both President Santo Versace and I feel in great creative harmony,” explained Gianluca Curti, CEO of Minerva Pictures.

The series will portray Oriana’s early life as a journalist in Hollywood at the end of the ’50s, working as an Italian entertainment correspondent in the USA. With a disenchanted gaze, Oriana observes the society and customs of America during the time and is fascinated by its contradictions. Ironic and often irreverent, the young Oriana writes about the American dream before becoming a war reporter and well-known writer worldwide.

“Just one year after winning together with RedString at the MIA Market as best pitch, we are already working on the writing of the series – an ambitious project that fits perfectly in our mission: the creation of very high-quality narrative and production projects, with a strong identity, relevant also for the international market and audience,” added Cosetta Lagani, Chief of Scripted and Documentary Productions of Minerva Pictures.

VIS and Minerva will produce the series in collaboration with RedString.

“We are happy to invest in Italian content, especially with our premium service Paramount+ which will be available for the Italian audience in 2022 and, together with Pluto TV, will represent a major milestone in the momentum of our powerful streaming strategy. “Miss Fallaci Takes America” is a unique project that stood out from the beginning and is intended to be a high-quality production with great international potential.” – has concluded Jaime Ondarza, Executive Vice President and General Manager South Hub, ViacomCBS EMEEA.

ABOUT VIACOMCBS INTERNATIONAL STUDIOS

Introduced in 2018, ViacomCBS International Studios is a division of ViacomCBS Networks International that includes production of content for ViacomCBS brands and platforms, including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Channel 5, Network 10, Telefe, Ananey, Porta Dos Fundos, Chilevisión, and leading global Spanish-language content creator VIS, as well as for third-parties. ViacomCBS International Studios’ content covers all genres, from kids, young adult, live action and animation, to soap operas, dramas, short and long-form comedy formats and feature films.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from ViacomCBS that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. In 2021, the service launched in 25 markets, including the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Nordics, and Australia, with 45 additional markets expected to launch by the end of 2022. For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.

MINERVA PICTURES

Minerva Pictures is an independent company, headquartered in Rome, leader in film production and distribution as of more than 60 years, both in Italy and abroad.

The CEO is Gianluca Curti, and the company President is Santo Versace. The company has produced and co-produced (with US and Europe) more than 100 titles and owns a library of over 2300 titles, all with grade A cast and genres for every taste: from action to comedy, adventure, thriller, horror, cult, animation, romantic comedies, family, disaster movies and so much more.  Minerva is also a leader in international sales, thanks to its 30-year-long presence in the main industry markets such as Los Angeles’ AFM, MIPCom, MipTv, Cannes’ Marché du film, Berlin’s EFM, Toronto, Hong Kong’s Filmart, Rome’s MIA Market and Venice Film Festival.

In May 2020 the company has launched its Scripted and Documentary Productions Department to extend its production to the TV and OTT markets. 

Source:VIS