Cineflix Rights’ ‘Manayek,’ ‘The Minister’ Sell Wide

Cineflix Rights has sold Icelandic political drama “The Minister” and Israeli thriller “Manayek” to territories across Europe and beyond.

“Manayek,” a 20-episode affair from Yoav Gross Productions, has sold its second and third seasons to France and Germany. The thriller follows a veteran internal affairs investigator who stumbles across a clear case of police corruption but is shocked when it emerges his best friend is the prime suspect. The duo find themselves on opposite sides of the law as they embark on a cat and mouse chase in a bid to get to the truth.

Meanwhile Seasons 1 and 2 of Icelandic political saga “The Minister” have been acquired by HBO Nordics and SBS (Australia). Each 16-episode season, from Sagafilm, stars “Fantastic Beasts” actor Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Icelandic Prime Minister Benedikt Ríkharðsson, who is battling a medical condition that threatens not only the private lives of his team but the stability of the government.

“International dramas continue to resonate with global audiences, particularly those that feature universal themes but set in a different culture or offering an unusual perspective to viewers,” said Tim Mutimer, CEO of Cineflix Rights. “We’re delighted to announce further sales of two of our successful returning series in ‘Manayek’ and ‘The Minister.’”

Sabrina Ayala, sales consultant for Iberia, Italy, French-speaking Europe and French Canada, brokered the deal with ARTE. Sandra Piha, SVP for pan-regional sales across the U.K., Ireland and Scandinavia closed the HBO Nordics while Chris Bluett SVP for sales across Asia Pacific and Benelux closed the deal with SBS.