Palomar, the leading Italian production outfit that’s part of Mediawan Group, has optioned the adaptation rights to “Fresh Water for Flowers,” the best-selling novel by French author Valérie Perrin. Palomar will be making an internationally-driven TV series based on the book.
Founded by Carlo Degli Esposti in the 1980’s, the Rome-based Palomar is one of Italy’s oldest production banners and has delivered some of country’s top films and series over the years, including Edoardo Ponti’s Oscar-nominated “The Life Ahead,” “Piranhas” which won the Silver Bear at Berlin in 2019, as well as the series “Inspector Montalbano” and “The Name of the Rose” with John Turturro and Rupert Everett.
“Fresh Water For Flowers,” a global literary success translated into 28 languages with over 1.5 million copies sold in France and Italy, won several awards, including the Maison de la Presse prize.
The book revolves around Violette Toussaint, the beautiful, cheerful and big-hearted caretaker of a cemetery in a small town in Borgogna, in France. One day, a police officer shows up from Marseille with an unusual request: his
mother, who recently passed away, had mentioned that she wanted to be buried in that faraway town and her ashes scattered on the gravesite of an unknown local man. From that moment on, things take an unexpected turn, and some bonds between the living and the dead are discovered.
Perrin said she decided to sell the rights to “Fresh Water for Flowers” to Palomar and Carlo Degli Esposti because “he is Italian and because I knew that he was truly in love with Violette Trenet, Toussaint by marriage.”
“These are the two reasons for my choice: Italy and love. And often good reasons lead to the best adaptations. We owe Violette the best and I am certain this project will be magnificent and will live up to the book,” added Perrin.
The author also suggested she will be involved in the adaptation. “I will never completely let go of this character’s hand nor will I ever be very far from her.”
Esposti, meanwhile, said Palomar “immediately recognized all the elements that can turn a great book into a great adaptation”
“Working with an author like Valerie is a great pleasure, and a great challenge. Her Violette is an extraordinary female character, something we have been looking for in Palomar, for a long time,” said Esposti.
Elisabeth d’Arvieu, Mediawan Pictures’s managing director, said the “universal and timeless story of ‘Fresh Water for Flowers,’ the depth of its characters, have conquered millions of readers around the world, and its adaptation was obvious.”
“It’s in our DNA to support talented authors and to promote them internationally,” added d’Arvieu.
Palomar’s slate of prestige international series also includes “Gaddafi,” created by Roberto Saviano.
optional screen reader
Read More About:
Source: Read Full Article