English
Leonine picks up worldwide distribution rights to spy series Bonn
Leonine Studios will handle worldwide sales for Odeon Fiction's new high-profile six-part political-thriller series. Following the remarkable international success of Spy City, which recently premiered on AMC+ in US, Bonn is the prodco next premium series, which brings an intriguing historical subject into focus and will air in primetime on Germany’s public network Das Erste.The series is based on true historical events that are being portrayed on screen for the first time. Set against the backdrop of a stirring and dramatic family story, the series recounts the rise of the young Federal Republic between the terror of World War II and the return to everyday life. In the midst of this tension culminates the political tug-of-war between two rival German intelligence services, the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Gehlen Organization, which would later become the Bundesnachrichtendienst, the official Foreign Intelligence Service of Germany. At the same time, the series is a thrilling portrait of a young woman struggling to find her own place in a male-dominated society in the zeitgeist of the 1950s, and in doing so she discovers startling details about her own family and the man she loves.
The acting ensemble comprises an impressive cast: Mercedes Müller (Goodbye Berlin) in the lead role of Toni, Max Riemelt (Matrix 4), Sebastian Blomberg (The People VS. Fritz Bauer), Martin Wuttke (Inglorious Basterds), Juergen Maurer (Perfume), Katharina Marie Schubert (A gift from the Gods), Inga Busch (I’m Your Man), Luise von Finckh (Deutschland 89), Julius Feldmeier (Babylon Berlin) and Johanna Gastdorf (The Wave).
Based on an idea by Gerrit Hermans, director and head writer Claudia Garde captures an erratic political event about the abuse of power and secret agendas by two German intelligence services in strong cinematic motifs. Martin Rehbock and Peter Furrer wrote the screenplays alongside Garde. Odeon Fiction’s Philip Voges and Fabian Winkelmann produce the series in cooperation with Wilma Film (Prague) for ARD. The editorial responsibility on behalf of ARD lies with Götz Schmedes, executive producer is Caren Toennissen (both WDR). The production is financially supported by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, FFF Bayern and the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF). The series was filmed on locations in the Czech Republic and North Rhine-Westphalia and wrapped shooting in mid-July.