The drama series “So Long, Marianne” about legendary musician Leonard Cohen and his muse Marianne Ihlen has secured more distribution deals in Europe. The eight-part show tells the true story of Cohen and Ihlen’s passionate relationship in the 1960s. It centers around their time in the bohemian artist community on the Greek island of Hydra.
The series has already aired on television channels in Norway, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Now it will reach more viewers with new partnerships. Distribution company Cineflix Rights arranged for the series to be shown on Czech TV, Estonia’s public broadcaster ERR, Croatia’s HRT, and Latvia’s TET. These recent deals mean viewers in several Central and Eastern Europe countries can now watch the biopic.
Set against the sunny Mediterranean backdrop of Hydra, “So Long, Marianne” transports audiences to 1960s artist colony. There, Cohen and Ihlen’s relationship flourished among other notable authors like Australians Charmian Clift and George Johnston. Anna Torv and Noah Taylor portray Clift and Johnston in the series. The narrative explores the free-spirited bohemian lifestyle and the dynamics between community members.
Cineflix Rights VP Lucy Rawson, who negotiated the new deals, called Cohen and Ihlen’s romance “one of the most iconic love stories of the last century.” She noted Hydra’s “beautiful location” enhanced the storyline. The series was also well-received critically in its original markets. Produced by Redpoint Productions, Tanweer Productions, and C3 Media, “So Long, Marianne” gives viewers a glimpse of an influential time in music and literature history.
