‘SQUID GAME’ IS STILL FRESH
‘Squid Game’ remains the most searched South Korean drama worldwide, a new study has revealed. According to research by cybersecurity firm VPN Overview the Netflix show continues to attract 15 million web searches per month, despite being released over a year ago, in mid-September 2021. In second place is “All of Us Are Dead,” a zombie apocalypse drama based on a popular webtoon, with almost three million average monthly searches. Both shows have already been renewed for second seasons. Romantic drama, “Business Proposal” comes in third with 1.5 million average monthly searches. Other shows with search endurance include 2019’s “Crash Landing on You” and Love Alarm” and 2020’s “Itaewon Class.” (A surprising omission is “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.”) “It is interesting to see how even one year after its original release, ‘Squid Game’ is still so popular all over the world,” said a VPNOverview spokesman. “This year’s seven Emmy nominations and the two wins for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor’ and ‘Outstanding Directing’ both in a drama series awarded last month have brought the drama to everybody’s attention once again, reminding the public just how much of an impact it made worldwide and continuing the ‘Korean wave’ that has been raging in the last few years.”
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Lebanese filmmakerand actor Nadine Labakiwill be presented with the prestigiousFIAPF Award forOutstanding Contribution to Asia Pacific Cinemaat the 15thAsia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) Ceremony on the Gold Coast, Australia on Nov. 11, 2022. The Award, now in its 16thpresentation,celebrates a film practitioner from the region whose career and actions contribute strongly to the development of the Asia Pacific film industry. Labaki broke through with her 2007 feature “Caramel”which premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. Her 2018 film“Capharnaüm,” a manifesto on damaged childhood, refugees and the cracks in a society that turns its back on humanity, played on competition in Cannes. It won the jury prize.
PARTNERSHIP
Indian media and entertainment company Eros Media World will partner with the Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to develop investment opportunities and projects in the region. As a part of this association, MISA will assist Eros in its expansion in Saudi Arabia. MISA will also support Eros in forging local partnerships and engaging with multiple investors.
Earlier this year, Eros revealed its foray into the rapidly growing Saudi Arabian market to identify synergies with various Saudi Arabian government initiatives designed to foster growth in the media and entertainment, and technology space under its Vision 2030.
NEW ZEALAND REVIEW
New Zealand is subjecting its primary location incentive, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, to periodical review and has asked the local industry to weigh in on its continuation or modification. The NZSPG offers a 20% incentive to international productions to film in New Zealand, and 40% for local productions. It also attracts international live action and post, visual and digital effects productions to New Zealand. The remit of the review does not include the role of the New Zealand Film Commission and any changes to the incentive will not happen before July next year. Research by consultancy Olsberg SPI suggest that gross screen sector revenue is estimated to be $2.05 billion (NZ$3.5 billion) per year.
BBC APPOINTMENT
BBC Studios Productions has appointed Kate Norum as its new head of branded entertainment.
Norum, who joins from Sky Media, will be responsible for the company’s ad-funded shows, collaborating with the factual and formats team and developing new ideas for digital. She is set to take up the role on Oct. 31 and will report to Helen Pendlebury, director of digital and business development.
“I’m delighted that Kate is arriving at this key moment of growth for our business as we build on the successes we’ve had to date in the branded space,” said Pendlebury. “Our ability to apply our world class production credentials across a range of genres has resulted in impactful work for many major global brands, and we’re sure Kate’s brilliant experience and industry contacts will be a real asset to our business.”
