Star Media started principal photography for the crime drama “Your Honor”, to be broadcast for the online streaming platform More.tv and Ren TV. This eight-episode project is a Russian adaptation of the cult Israeli TV series “Kvodo,” created by Shlomo Mashiach and Ron Ninio, produced by Yes TV and Koda Communications, and distributed by yes Studios, which has received numerous Israeli and international awards.
The American version of “Your Honor,” created for the television network Showtime, became a worldwide hit. The ten-episode mini-series premiered in December 2020. The star of the Hollywood remake of "Kvodo" is Bryan Cranston, who famously played the role of the main protagonist in the acclaimed American TV series “Breaking Bad”. The series follows a successful and influential judge, whose son kills a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run accident. Since the motorcyclist happens to be the son of a local mafia kingpin, the judge and his unlucky son find themselves at the center of a dangerous game.
“You never know if your principles will withstand the test of truly dire circumstances. Each of us believes in the strength of our inner moral compass but there is always a tipping point. The TV series 'Your Honor' will explore the limits of personal transformation. The story puts each character to extreme test. In doing so it offers the viewers completely unpredictable plot twists, while showing that the characters’ inner worlds can undergo genuinely surprising changes,” said Vlad Riashyn, Producer at Star Media.
“These days TV shows are a special kind of cinematic art with their own rules and conventions. In turn, viewers have developed a certain kind of perception that allow them to engage with this format. I believe that 'Your Honor' is a perfect example of this new form of expression,” commented Oleg Menshikov, the lead actor.
“Our project is unique in a sense that its dramatic composition relies on the format of a one-man show, starring a strong lead. The entire storyline revolves around the main protagonist, who gets 90% of the overall screen time. This kind of a project is a true gift for any actor. And I am happy to present it to Oleg Menshikov,” concluded the series director Konstantin Statsky.
● STAR MEDIA BECOMES A MEMBER OF FRAPA
In other company-related news, Star Media announced that it has become a member of FRAPA, a trade association that seeks to create and enforce legal protection for television formats.
As one of the largest content production and distribution companies in Central and Eastern Europe, Star Media was always invested in the issue of intellectual property protection. With this partnership, Star Media gains unrestricted access to the association’s resources such as the registration of formats to the expertise of the world’s leading specialists in content protection, and opportunities for exchange of experience.
“The partnership with the international organization dedicated to the protection of formats was a logical step for Star Media. Our company has an extensive expertise and experience in the protection of intellectual property rights. In December 2020, we launched the unique anti-piracy service ContentScan, which offers a content protection rate of 98%. I believe that our collaboration with FRAPA will be mutually beneficial. For Star Media, it will provide an opportunity to exchange experience with a global organization dedicated to the recognition and protection of entertainment formats. In turn, in collaborating with Star Media, FRAPA will gain an experienced and reliable partner,” Riashyn declared.