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Estonian producer Jevgeni Supin unveils ambitious slate of high-end dramas
A new era for Estonian television
Estonia’s Jevgeni Supin, known for his work with Zolba Productions and the first Estonian Viaplay original “Who Shot Otto Mueller,” has announced an impressive lineup of five high-end dramas. Among these are “My Dear Mother,” represented by Film.UA Group, and “Von Fock,” which will premiere at Tallinn TV Beats’ first Screening Day on November 20.
Elevating Baltic drama to the global stage
Supin’s extensive slate and the quality of his TV projects, all framed as international co-productions, reflect his ambition to place Estonian and Baltic drama on the global map. His pioneering efforts in co-production are evident in the support his projects have garnered.
Von Fock: A historical crime drama
“Von Fock,” a four-part period crime series, is a significant milestone as it is the first Estonian series to receive support from both Creative Europe’s Media Program and Eurimages’ pilot program for series co-productions. Supin expressed his gratitude, stating, “This [EU public money] meant the world to me. It shows that we indie producers from the Baltics are on the right track.”
The series is a co-production between Zolba Productions, Latvia’s Bergmane Productions, Italy’s Movie.Mento, and Albolina Film. It is based on the historical crime novels ”Detective von Fock” by Ain Kütt, with a screenplay adapted by Leana Jalukse and Germany’s Lilian von Keudell. Directed by Estonian enfant terrible Arun Tamm, the story is set among the Estonian high society of Baltic Germans in the early 19th century. It follows Paul von Fock and the baron of Sagadi as they solve murder mysteries while pursuing the love interest of Maria von Nottbeck.
Supin describes the series as “a good old whodunnit story with a right mixture of romance and a bit of suspense placed in a noble society.” The series, ordered by Eesti Telefilm for Estonia’s national broadcaster ETV, has received backing from LTV in Latvia, LRT in Lithuania, the Estonian Film Institute, Latvian Investment Agency LIAA, and Italian tax credit, among others. The national rollout is set for spring 2025.
My Dear Mother: A psychological drama
Next on Supin’s slate is the psychological drama “My Dear Mother,” marking the first international co-production for Estonia’s leading platform Elisa, in collaboration with Ukraine’s Film.UA. Based on true events, the limited series stars Doris Tislar, Elina Reinold, and Indrek Ojari. Directed by Doris Tääker, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Elisa Estonia’s head of content Toomas Ili and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival director Tiina Lokk, the series explores the complex dynamics of a drug addict whose mother is found brutally murdered.
The show, distributed by Film.UA, is slated for a spring 2025 release on Elisa Huub.
Expanding horizons with new projects
Supin is also working with Elisa Estonia on another high-end series in the early stages of development, “Operation Silver Wolf,” described as “Da Vinci Code” meets “Indiana Jones.” Additionally, he has struck a deal with the Baltic region’s fast-expanding platform Go3 for two other projects.
A Girl from Tallinn: A gripping drama
“A Girl from Tallinn,” a six-part series for which Go3 holds second window rights after main commissioner ETV, is a co-production with Ukraine’s Film.UA and Bulgaria’s Agitprop. Directed by Ilmar Raag, the drama follows former criminal Ivan, now a law-abiding Ukrainian businessman, who meets a girl resembling Maria, the love of his life murdered 30 years ago in Tallinn. Principal photography is set for next summer.
Justinas Docka, head of content for Go3, emphasized the platform’s commitment to producing premium content for both local and international viewers.
Let it Snow: A light crime/comedy
Go3 has also teamed up with Supin on “Let it Snow,” currently in development. This light crime/comedy, partly set in Finland, is co-produced by Take Two Studios. Eero Hietala, co-founder of the Finnish group, was intrigued by the “larger-than-life story about the Finnish underworld” when Supin first pitched it at Seriescamp, Cologne in 2023. “Let it Snow” will be showcased at the curated TV Beats Co-financing Market during the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.
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