DCD Rights To Launch New Drama Series The Slap At MIPCOM

International distributor DCD Rights has acquired global distribution rights to Australian eight-part drama The Slap, which it will launch at MIPCOM 2011, as part of a raft of recent investments in new quality programming.
Produced by Matchbox Pictures for ABC Australia, the series boasts a stellar cast including Golden Globe Award nominee Melissa George, Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo, Tony Award nominee Essie David, Jonathan LaPaglia, AFI nominees Alex Dimitriades, Sophie Lowe and two-time AFI Award-winning actor Anthony Hayes.
Nicky Davies Williams, CEO, DCD Rights, said: "We are thrilled to be launching this new high profile drama as part of our top highlights for MIPCOM this autumn. This partnership further demonstrates the breadth of our commitment in the drama genre and successful collaborations with top producers around the world."
Pilar Perez, SVP Acquisitions, DCD Rights, added: "Our distribution reach and access to significant funding enables us to invest in exciting new productions around the world, and we are constantly on the look out for programming with huge international appeal such as The Slap."
The Slap is based on the award-winning novel by Christos Tsiolkas and traces the shattering repercussions of a single event on a group of family and friends. At an Australian backyard barbecue, a man slaps a child who is not his son. The boy's parents are so affronted by the assault that they call the police and legal action results. The Slap explores what happens when the veil of civility that binds us as a society, is rent aside by one disturbing action. It brings to vivid life questions of parenting, the rights of children, race, class, sexuality and the different perspectives of men and women.
AFI Award-winning Directors include Jessica Hobbs (Love My Way, Answered by Fire), Matthew Saville (Noise, The King), Tony Ayres (Walking on Water), The Homesong Stories, Saved) and Robert Connolly (Balibo, The Bank).
Series Producers are Helen Bowden (Soft Fruit, Girl in a Mirror), Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon (The Home Song Stories, Saved); Penny Chapman (My Place, RAN) is Executive Producer and Christos Tsiolkas is Associate Producer and Story Consultant.
The series in due to premiere later this year on ABC Australia.
(KMcA)