Spies from Poland, Ireland, Finland, Spanish devils in human disguise and Czech sex therapy spice up Tallinn’s series showcase whose titles vie for a $56,000 Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award Polish film and TV luminary Darius Jabloński’s spy thriller “Fortel” and Estonia’s “Stormbird” from multi-awarded Kadri Kousaar (“Magnus,” “Mother”) feature in the lineup of Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market, running over Nov. 16-17. They are joined by Spain’s “When Devils Rule” from Rodrigo Susarte (“Patagonia”), and Belgium’s “The Inheritance” powered by “This is Not a Murder Mystery” producer Panenka. Picked among 50 submissions from Eurimages member states, the 10 selected series will vie for the coveted €50,000 ($56,000) Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award.
This year’s crop hails from Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and co-production partner Canada. As underscored by Toivonen, the geographical spread mirrors TV Beats’ core which is “to act as a bridge between the Baltics, Central Eastern Europe, and the Nordics. Three territories – Czechia, Finland, and Estonia – topped the list of applications.
Also from Estonia is the fast-paced YA drama “Breaking the Ice,” produced by Jevgeni Supin, who was distinguished last year with an Honorary TV Beats Producer Award. TV Beats co-heads also pointed at the larger number of projects in early development compared to previous years, set to make their very first pitch in Tallinn. They need co-production partners to lift their projects,” Kemppinen said.Theme-wise, in an age of distrust and as the Baltics and CEE feel the heat from Russian threats, espionage is the beating heart of three shows (“Tanner,” “Fortel,” “The Woman Who Roared”), while oppressive regimes, systems or leaders -even disguised as devils-feature in the remaining slate, next to the ever-popular crime bets.
Next to the TV Beats Co-Financing Market slate, more than 20 other top-tier series looking for additional financing, distribution and sales, will bow at ‘TV Beats Screenings’ and ‘TV Beats Coming Soon’, to be unveiled at a later date. The TV Beats Forum is part of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s industry platform Industry Tallinn & Baltic Event, running over Nov 9-20. Full rundown of TV Beats Co-Financing Market lineup: “Breaking the Ice” (“Päike mis sulatab jääd,” 6X45’, Estonia)Young adult drama from Estonian powerhouse Zolba Productions (“Von Fock”, “My Dear Mother,” “A Girl From Tallinn”), co-penned and co-created by the seasoned Leana Jalukse (“Mother”, “Von Fock”) and German screenwriting expert Joachim Friedmann.
Beneath the polished surface of Estonia’s elite ice rinks, a Russian hockey prodigy ruled by his violent father and an Estonian figure skater groomed by a manipulative coach fall in love across a national divide. At its heart, it’s is a story about two young people who find the courage, through love, to break this cycle.” Legendary Polish film mogul and director Dariusz Jabłoński (“The Pleasure Principle,” “The Cop-A New Chapter”), serves as creator and showrunner of this spy thriller penned by US screenwriter Marc Grey, episodic writer of Apple TV’s International Emmy-winning show “Tehran.” Jabłoński’s own pedigreed banner Apple Film Production is producing for commercial giant Polsat.The core of the action is the little-known Polish town of Rzeszów close to the Ukraine border which has turned into a spy nest and arms dealing platform. The story tracks a CIA officer who sets a trap for Russian saboteurs, targeting confidential Western arms shipments while secretly searching for his missing brother, who may hold the key to the leak, says the logline.
I want to make a thriller that feels the way the war feels – chaotic, morally unresolved and shot through with unexpected moments of humanity, with a cast drawn from several of the countries involved. A Polish-based story that the whole world needs to see right now,” he claims. The drama turns on a young woman, victim of spike drinking at a lavish New Year’s Eve party in a remote manor.
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