Beta Film has secured a row of sales across major markets for its CEE slate. Latvian dramedy “Soviet Jeans” is set to air in the US, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada on Walter Presents, with HBO taking the rights across the CEE region, Arte for Germany and France, and Filmin for Spain and Portugal, among further deals. Multi-awarded Serbian thriller “Operation Sabre” was also picked up by HBO for the CEE region and Filmin for Spain and Portugal. Both of Beta’s Sarajevo-set series found new homes around the globe: “I Know Your Soul,” by acclaimed filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić, was acquired by Arte for Germany and France and HBO for CEE territories, while “The Hollow” sets sails for Australia after a deal with public broadcaster SBS. Critically acclaimed Ukrainian war drama “In Her Car” continues its international travels to Ireland via RTE. Czech Television’s “Ultimatum” brings a suspenseful hostage thriller to Walter Presents for Great Britain and Ireland.
Winner of the Audience Award at Series Mania 2024, “Soviet Jeans” (8x1h), produced by Tasse Film, has achieved critical and commercial success. The Soviet Latvia-set dramedy about a rebellious young rock fan, who sets up a counterfeit jean production in a mental asylum, has found great reception all around the globe. Walter Presents secured the rights to air the series in the US, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland, while Arte took Germany and France, Filmin Portugal and Spain, and HBO across the CEE region. Furthermore, the streaming service VOYO took the rights for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and broadcaster MTVA for Hungary.
“Operation Sabre” (8x1h), produced by This and That Productions in co-production with Agitprop for Radio Television of Serbia, follows the harrowing aftermath of the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić. The series has been a standout at festivals, winning the Special Interpretation Award at Canneseries and the Primetime Killer Award at Serial Killer Festival for Best CEE Drama. HBO acquired the rights for the CEE region, while Filmin signed a deal for Portugal and Spain.
Ukrainian war drama “In Her Car” (10x half hour) offers a deeply personal account of survival during the still ongoing crisis in the country. Its most recent sales to RTE in Ireland and Canal+ for Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Romania highlight the global interest for the series and topic, which has already secured deals in Latvia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Japan. The series was produced by Starlight Media and Gaumont in co-production with ZDFneo, France Télévisions, SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen, in association with The Dreaming Sheep Company, SVT, DR, NRK, RUV, YLE.
Directed by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Jasmila Žbanić (Quo Vadis, Aida?), “I Know Your Soul” (6x1h) has captivated audiences with its poignant portrayal of personal and legal struggles in post-war Sarajevo. Produced by Deblokada for BH Telecom, the series has been acquired by Arte for Germany and France, and HBO for the CEE region.
Also set in Sarajevo, “The Hollow” (5x1h), helmed by Oscar® winner Danis Tanović (“No Man’s Land”), has been picked up by SBS for Australia. This intense crime thriller, centered on a murder mystery, is produced by SCCA and pro.ba.
In the Czech thriller “Ultimatum” (8x1h), hostage negotiator Daniel finds himself in the middle of a deadly political intrigue when his pregnant girlfriend is among the hostages in a hospital. Produced by Czech Television, KFS Production, and TV JOJ, Walter Presents will show the series in Great Britain and Ireland.