As part of Armoza Formats’ MIPCOM slate, the company has announced the release of two new hit dramas, Eclipse and Refuge, from leading Canadian broadcaster TVA Group, for the international market.
Aired in prime time on TVA, both series achieved strong performances for the channel with over 32% share and have already been re-commissioned for second seasons. In addition, both dramas were nominated for Canada’s top Gemini Awards in multiple categories, including Best Drama.
A captivating and emotional drama, Eclipse (12 x 60’), produced by Duo Productions (The Odds), and takes us on the journey of a family trying to recover from a devastating loss. Tortured by guilt and responsibility after the death of her young son, Anne-Sophie leaves her home and family with nothing but a few clothes, with the hope of starting a new life and escaping her grief. Her husband Bernard is left behind to take charge of their daughter, the family business and to pick up the pieces. As Anne-Sophie and Bernard try to uncover who is really to blame for the tragic event, the tension between them grows with each passing day. Is the loss of their son too shattering or is there still hope for them to overcome?
Produced by Amalga, Refuge (24 x 60’) is the gripping drama about a woman who is forced to go back to the very place she spent a lifetime running from. Years after abandoning her daughter and leaving her hometown, Brigitte returns for her daughter’s wedding. What was supposed to be a weekend of celebration, turns into a mysterious murder case that reveals hidden secrets. The incident shakes the small community to its core, including the youth center for troubled teens, which becomes a key place in the investigation. While Brigitte attempts to win back her daughter and uncover the truth behind what happened, she must confront the past that she worked so hard to escape.
Armoza Formats will be distributing the series both as ready-mades and as a format. Previous TVA titles distributed by Armoza as part of a strategic partnership include The Killer Inside aired on ZDF, and Karl & Max aired on TV5Monde.
Yann Paquet, Content Vice President, Acquisitions & International Development, Quebecor, “We are proud to partner with the producers and creators of these shows, as well as Armoza Formats, to offer top-quality original Quebec production around the world. These series reach wide intergenerational audiences. They were immediately successful on the Quebec market, and both, Eclipse and Refuge, have captured record-breaking audiences with over 32% market share.”
Avi Armoza, CEO of Armoza Formats, “We strongly value our partnership with TVA and are happy to bring more of their high-quality creative content to the market. These two new emotional and moving dramas shine a light on strong female characters as well as powerful human dilemmas that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”