Matt Brodlie & Jonathan Kier’s Upgrade Productions Unveils Debut Projects From Japan, Spain & Australia: Duo Talk Local Content Approach & Why It’s Time To Stop Saying “Foreign-Language”

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Upgrade Productions, the Los Angeles-based production company focusing on local-language content, has unveiled an initial trio of projects from around the world.Launched by industry vets Matt Brodlie (ex-Disney and Netflix) and Jonathan Kier (ex-Sierra/Affinity) late last year with backing from German major Constantin, the outfit is looking to feed into the current boom of content emerging from outside of the English-language that finds audiences on a global stage.The first three projects confirmed, all expected to head into production in early 2023, are as follows:Twenty Faces (Japan): Based on the popular books written by the Japanese mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo, the show is co-produced with leading Japanese production and distribution company The Klockworx (Crunchyroll’s Room Camp) and is produced with Akiko Funatsu (The Goddess of 1967).

Anime writer Seishi Minakami (Paprika) is attached as writer. Ranpo published 62 books from the 1920s until his death in 1965 and many are still read throughout Japan today.

The series will follow a group of teens who help a detective solve mysteries in 1930s Japan.The Cage / La Jaula (Spain): an original fantasy horror series co-produced with Spanish production and distribution companies DeAPlaneta (RTVE’s court thriller Ana.

All in) and Minoria Absoluta (Netflix’s romantic comedy I love you, stupid). The supernatural show will be directed by José Luis Montesinos (Goya Award-winner for the short The Runner) who will also write alongside Iakes Blesa and Lluís Altés.