Banijay Entertainment’s French Scripted Label Screenline Pacts With Writers Duo Behind Prime Video’s Local Series ‘Trash’

Aiming to expand its footprint within the scripted space, Banijay Entertainment’s French label Screenline Productions has formed a creative partnership with the writers duo Matthieu Rumani and Nicolas Slomka.

Screenline just collaborated with Rumani and Slomka on the series “Trash,” an upcoming Prime Video
mini-series inspired by the real-life events of “Loft Story,” the French adaptation of “Big Brother” which marked the country’s first reality show of this kind in 2001.

The partnership gives Screenline access to any future projects and developments from Rumani and Slomka, who will also co-produce through their own company, Vodka & Caramel. The writers pair, meanwhile, will be able to leverage Screenline’s production expertise.

Banijay France CEO Alexia Laroche-Joubert, who produced “Loft Story” and even inspired one of the protagonist of “Trash,” said that “when (she) first came across the project, led by two young talented writers, (she) was immediately intrigued to delve into their take on the behind-the-scenes of ‘Loft Story.’”

“Their investigative work and deep understanding of reality TV and its social phenomenon convinced me to be part of bringing this project to life,” Laroche-Joubert continued. The executive added the collaboration with Nicolas and Matthieu “has only reaffirmed their talent, ability to play with different narrative genres, and adaptability to platform demands.”

Rumani and Slomka said “when (they) created the character ofIsabelle for’ Trash,’ inspired by Alexia Laroche-Joubert, (they) imagined a passionate reality TV producer who will stop at nothing to defend her convictions.” “Meeting Alexia exceeded our expectations as she proved to be an exceptional scripted producer,” they continued.

Aside from creating “Trash,” Slomka and Rumani co-wrote two seasons of Netflix’s “Family Business,” and co-wrote Julie Delpy’s next film “Les Barbares” which is premiering in theaters in France in September. They also made their first feature film “Camembert” which will be produced by Jerico, the banner behind “La Famille Belier.”

Screenline Productions’ pipeline also includes an adaptation of Gemma Maley’s YA novel “The Declaration.”