Scripted

MIPCOM CANNES and Beta Film have today announced that highly anticipated European epic drama series Rise of the Raven will celebrate its World Premiere at the 40th International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market in Cannes (21-24 October 2024).

Staged on Tuesday 22 October at 6 pm in the world-famous Grand Auditorium in the Palais des Festivals, the premiere will be attended by a broad and high-profile line up of European talents, led by acclaimed producer Robert Lantos (Sunshine, The Sweet Hereafter, Barney’s Version, Eastern Promises, Crimes of the Future).Talents attending are Gellért L. Kádár, playing titular hero János Hunyadi, Vivien Rujder, his on-screen wife Erzsébet, and Franciska Törocsik, starring as his first love, Mara. Further, Mariann Hermányi (Shadow and Bone), Ernõ Fekete ( Son of Saul), Elena Rusconi (6 Underground) and directors Robert Dornhelm (Children of Theatre Street, Vienna Blood, Maria Theresa, War and Peace), Orsi Nagypal (The Deal, The CW’s The Outpost), Attila Szász (Tall Tales, Eternal Winter), and showrunner Balázs Lengyel (HBO’s Golden Life) will join the premiere.

Rise of the Raven, the story of fearless army commander János Hunyadi and his lifelong attempt to defend Europe against an Ottoman invasion, follows in the tradition of ambitious international productions brought to market in recent years by Beta Film, including Tom Tykwer’s Babylon Berlin, Frank Doelger’s The Swarm, Stefano Sollima’s Gomorrah, Alex Pina’s The Pier, and Tom Fontana’s Borgia . The 10 episode event series is set to air in 2025 with Beta Film distributing internationally.

Rise of the Raven is produced by Robert Lantos. Executive Producers are Tibor Krsko, Cecilia Hazai, Kinga Hazai, Oliver Auspitz, and Andreas Kamm of MR Film, as well as Koby Gal-Raday, with Ari Lantos as Producer. It is also produced by Twin Media, HG Media, MR Film, and Beta Film, co-produced by Hungary’s TV2 Network, and Austrian public broadcaster ORF, supported by the National Film Institute of Hungary.

Europe, the 15th century. János Hunyadi’s life is plagued by scandal, political power plays, and conspiracies between noble families from Italy, Poland, Austria, Serbia, and Hungary. His strongest allies are the women in his life: Erzsébet, the wife who not only stands by him, but fights alongside him, and Mara, his first love, who breaks his heart by becoming lead concubine in Sultan Murad’s court. When the Ottoman Empire mobilizes an army of unprecedented size to march west with the objective of conquering the Vatican and Europe, Hunyadi leads his small but mighty group of soldiers to the battlefield, sealing a hard-fought victory. In celebration, Pope Callixtus III orders that churches all over the world shall ring their bells every day at noon. And more than five centuries later church bells still ring each day.

Producer Robert Lantos: “Rise of the Raven traces a hero’s journey from village boy to fearless warrior, to the saviour of Europe, for whom the Noon Bell tolls. Since childhood I have been intrigued by the Noon Bell. Ban Mor’s best-selling novels provided me with the opportunity to tell this story”.

Beta Film executive producer Koby Gal-Raday: “Rise of the Raven is a one-of-a-kind, epic story, very much relevant to today’s audiences worldwide. The excellent talent in front and behind the camera have accomplished a unique cinematic experience, unprecedented in the European television landscape.”

“Rise of the Raven is epic in its story and on screen.’ said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES and MIP LONDON. ‘With ambitious storytelling and high production values from an exceptional creative team and a truly international cast we are thrilled to be hosting its first showing in Cannes.”

Showrunner is Balázs Lengyel (HBO’s Golden Life), who also directs the final episode. The series is written by Lengyel, George Mihalka, Balázs Lovas, Zsófia Ruttkay, Attila Veres, and Bán Mór, on whose best-selling series of novels Rise of the Raven is based on.

Directors are Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning Robert Dornhelm (Maria Theresa, War and Peace) alongside Hungarian directors Orsi Nagypal (The Deal, the CW’s The Outpost) and Attila Szasz (Tall Tales, Eternal Winter).

Hunyadi is played by the debuting Gellért L. Kádár, with Hungarian Vivien Rujder portraying Erzsébet, his influential and strong partner. The large European cast includes Franciska Törőcsik (129), Murathan Muslu (Breaking Point), Cornelius Obonya (Maria Theresa), Laurence Rupp (Barbarians), Giancarlo Giannini (Casino Royale, Hannibal), Elena Rusconi (6 Underground ), Francesco Acquaroli (Fargo), Karel Roden (Bourne Supremacy), Thomas Trabacchi (Studio Battaglia), and Rade Serbedzija (Batman Begins, Mission: Impossible 2).

The week-long MIPCOM CANNES conference programme helps define the TV industry year with world premieres of highly anticipated international series, exclusive insight presentations and keynotes from leading global players and thought leaders.

The mother of all Entertainment Content Markets, MIPCOM CANNES was attended by over 11 000 delegates from over 100 countries in 2023. Over 300 exhibitors are already confirmed to date for the 40th edition which takes place in Cannes 21-24 October 2024.