Beta Film has released a moving trailer for the Ukrainian war drama “In Her Car,” a gripping series about the ongoing crisis told through the eyes of those who are living it, the company announced ahead of Mipcom.
“In Her Car” (10 x 30’) is produced by Starlight Media and Gaumont in co-production with France Télévisions, ZDF (Germany) and Swiss public broadcaster SRF. The show was also boarded in its early stages by Nordic public broadcasters SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), NRK TV (Norway) and RÚV (Iceland). Showrunner and creator Eugen Tunick directs alongside Arkadiy Nepytaliuk.
The story begins with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Lydia, played by Anastasia Karpenko, (“How is Katia?”), is a seasoned therapist who alongside her practice fields questions and concerns from her followers on social media. Privately, her life is in disarray, as she tries to divorce a husband who not only cheated on her but is complicating her effort to get a fresh start by delaying the proceedings.
One day, Lydia picks up a young woman on the side of the road, and before long other passengers follow. That begins an odyssey that will change their lives forever, as the passengers she helps are not only dealing with the harrowing struggles brought on by Russia’s invasion, but also by the personal dramas that intertwine with her own life. And while her daughter urges her to flee the country, Lydia has found a new purpose — driving people to safety. Not only does she risk her life, but she slowly uncovers her husband’s dark doings, shedding light on corruption, deceit and the real reason behind her sister’s death.
Also this week, Beta acquired international sales rights to the Greek drama series “The Beach,” a primetime sensation for Greek public broadcaster ERT. The shows are part of a Mipcom slate for Beta that includes more than 20 new dramas and seasons from 15 countries, totalling 300 hours of fresh content.
Other highlights include “Concordia,” by multi-Emmy-awarded EP Frank Doelger and produced by Intaglio, ZDF, France TV, Hulu Japan and MBC, which will celebrate its world premiere at the Palais de Festivals in Cannes, and the Channel 4-Starz crime drama “The Couple Next Door,” starring Sam Heughan (“Outlander”) and Eleonor Tomlinson (“Poldark”).
Also on the slate is “Elsa Morante’s La Storia,” based on the iconic Italian novel set in Rome after the Second World War, and “Estonia,” a big-budget civil maritime disaster series by Måns Månsson (“Chernobyl”), which bowed at the Toronto Film Festival.
