Contenido
Star Media, internationally deeper
Star Media is the Russian and Ukraine group that has skipped to major leagues with big-budget TV series spoken in English language. The first step was Mata Hari, which was taken in distribution by Red Arrow (Germany) and was shown last Mipcom at the Worldwide Premiere event, to open the market. Now there are 4-5 projects more in process.Vlad Ryashin, CEO: ‘Mata Hari was emitted at Channel One in Russia, with huge success, about 30% of audience share at prime time at a peak. A second project we have is a period adventure series Sofia, in alliance with Fremantlemedia Poland. With Federation Entertainment from France and Letterbox Filmproduktion Germany, we have Red October, 6 episodes epic period drama set at the times of Russian Revolution and the civil war. We are also developing a number of high-concept drama series with a plan to find co-producing partners’.
Docu-dramas: ‘It is a good niche for us. We produce series for the Russian market and specials for the international market, with very good demand. Now we’re currently in production of Lenin, with unique never shown material about the Soviet leader. It is 12 episode series for the Russian audience or two specials of 60’ for the international market, and The Great Russian Revolution, with 8 episodes or one special of 90’. At Mipcom next October, we’re planning to present a 2 part docudrama about the last days of the last Tsar of the Romanov Dynasty and his family, in exile before their execution’.
‘Since we produce with an international approach, business is faster and stronger. We are a worldwide player now, and the next step in evolution would be to enter the United States market, we expect to do it in 2-3 years. Also this year, the Russian market is recovered 10/12 percent, the Ukraine market until 20 percent… we have fresh energy to reinforce all steps of our business’.