BBC announces tranche of factual content
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The BBC has announced a tranche of new factual, arts and classical music commissions, including a documentary series about Frida Kahlo and her relationship with Diego Rivera.
Frida & Diego (w/t), to be delivered to BBC Two as a 3 x 60, is directed by Louise Lockwood and explores the life of one of the most famous artists of the 20th century and her tempestuous relationship with Rivera. It is from Rogan Films and exec produced by James Rogan, Nancy Bornat and Mark Hedgecoe.
Other content on the slate includes: Earth, a 5 x 60 for BBC Two presented by Chris Packham that aims to set out a biography of our planet, revealing some epic moments from the Earth’s history. The series is produced by BBC Studios Productions’ science unit and the executive producers are Rob Liddell and Andrew Cohen.
David Olusoga is heading Union (w/t), a five-part series for BBC Two about the long history of union and disunion, including the rural-urban divide and a look at ‘left-behind towns’. Union is made by Uplands Television and executive producer Mike Smith.
Composer Michael Tippett is the subject of filmmaker John Bridcut’s documentary from Crux Productions Ltd. Michael Tippett: A Child of His Time (w/t) is a feature-length film that paints a portrait of a political and musical activist whose life spanned almost the whole of the 20th century.
The raft of new programming also includes Black Art Matters (w/t), a four-part series examining how African-American creativity has transformed popular culture and how we express ourselves through language, style and music. It is the first series commission for BBC Small Indie Fund company, Milk And Honey Productions. The executive producer is Lucy Pilkington and the series will be made in association with Afua Hirsch and her production company, Born In Me.
Brazilian political dynasty, the Bolsonaros, are the subject of a 3 x 60 for BBC Two. The controversial leader, who came to power in 2018, continues to have millions of loyal supporters, despite calls for his impeachment. The programme includes interviews with some of those closest to him, as well as his opponents. The Bolsonaros is from BBC Studios Productions’ documentary unit series with executive producer Ricardo Pollack, series producer Raquel Toniolo and the series director Matt Hill.
Also announced is the return of Lights Up, with a new series of plays partnering with theatres across the UK; a new selection of monologues for BBC Four (following the success of acclaimed series CripTales, Soon Gone and Snatches) this time addressing the theme of poverty; and a feature-length film about British composer Michael Tippett, from acclaimed film-maker John Bridcut.
Skint (w/t) is a selection of 8 x 15 monologues for BBC Four, addressing the theme of poverty. Hopscotch produces with creative directors Lisa McGee and Peter Mullan. The executive producer is John Archer.
And BBC Arts is returning with a second season of Lights Up, a collaboration between stage and screen to bring theatre productions from across the UK to audiences at home.
Patrick Holland, director of factual, arts and classical music, said of the new commissions: “The BBC’s commitment to premium factual, arts and classical music programming is unique in the UK and central to our public service mission for all audiences…
"…These commissions build on the unrivalled series of scale that now find their home on BBC iPlayer, helping to create a video-on-demand platform with true specialism that speaks to British audiences.”
Image: Copyright Getty Images /Bettmann /Corbis.
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