Dated: 19 October 2005
Singapore-based blue chip documentary production company Bang Singapore Pte Ltd and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) announced today that it will be co-producing a USD15 million slate of high-end blue-chip HD documentary programming together with major terrestrial and cable broadcasters from around the world and distributed through Off the Fence B.V.
The production slate will consist of over 50 hours of blue-chip programming based on compelling Asian stories from various factual genres. Already co-producers are signing up with Bang for the upcoming slate including a unique archaeological mystery: Guge - Lost Kingdom of Tibet to be produced for France 5 and Discovery as well as a landmark series on Chinese history, How Man’s China, a six-hour conservation and exploration series based on China’s leading explorer and his expeditions and Twentieth Century China based on special access to China’s largest documentary film archive which is being developed together with NHK. Also in the works will be several feature documentaries for theatrical release by well-known Asian film directors, including A Last Samurai, a film about heroes in post-war Japan and based on the life of actor Toshiro Mifune.
Joining in as a co-producer and distributor will be Amsterdam-based Off the Fence B.V., a leading distributor of factual programming, who has successfully distributed Bang’s library and co-financed other previous blue chip productions by the company.
The slate will be launched officially in December 2005 at the Asia Media Festival in Singapore.
Keiko Bang, President, Bang Singapore said, “Bang is delighted that our decade-long efforts with the Asian production community to bring the best of Asian factual programming to the world have taken us all to a new level. There are so many compelling stories from Asia which are refreshing and new, and just waiting to be told. It is a real honour and joy to receive critical backing from both the MDA and our distribution partner which will enable us to better tell these great stories: using the best talent from Asia, the best perspectives from Asia and from the best media hub in Asia.”
Ellen Windemuth, Managing Director, Off the Fence BV commented, “We admire Keiko’s level of access to unique stories, her commitment to quality and her ability to produce compelling television. The MDA and her Asian partners are equally sophisticated and impressive. We are very excited about this new venture, and it will receive our strongest focus.”
Dr Christopher Chia, CEO of the MDA said, “Bang Singapore’s partnership with Off The Fence will make for a powerful combination given their high levels of expertise and reputation they enjoy in their respective areas. With this partnership, we hope to share with audiences around the world a taste of Made-By-Singapore content –quality content that is unique, compelling and makes for great television.”
Media Contact:
Bang Singapore:
Keiko Bang
+65 91511 402
Media Development Authority :
Sharanjit Kaur (Ms)
Manager
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Email : Sharanjit_KAUR@imda.gov.sg
Tan Poh Cheng (Ms)
Assistant Director
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Email : Tan_Poh_CHENG@imda.gov.sg
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