Vienna-based Terra Mater Studios, a subsidiary of Red Bull, is developing its first fictional series “Salon of Sugar.”
The historical drama will focus on Berta Zuckerkandl, born in 1864: a writer, journalist and a hostess of an important literary salon in Vienna, frequented by the likes of Auguste Rodin, Gustav Klimt, director Max Reinhardt or Stefan Zweig.
“Composer Gustav Mahler actually met his wife Alma there,” says producer Nina Steiner, teasing other familiar faces bound to appear in the show, from Freud to Georges Clemenceau. Verena Puhm writes.
According to the makers, by creating an environment where revolutionary ideas and discussions flourished, Berta found herself at the very center of cultural and intellectual evolution during a “transformative” era in European history.
“I was drawn to this story because it encapsulates the timeless struggle for freedom and equality amidst a backdrop of societal change. Berta’s journey embodies the resilience and intellect of a remarkable woman navigating a world in flux,” says Puhm, with her producer adding:
“We really believe that the issues presented here mirror what is happening now.”
“Social inequality, rise of nationalism and antisemitism, democracy under threat: These are the topics we need to tackle right now,again. Amid growing division in society, it’s important to look back and think about the origins of our world. What would Europe be like if these wars hadn’t destroyed it? Maybe we can sit down and think about it for a minute, hoping it won’t happen again.”
Berta, “a secret diplomat,” gained early access to influential politicians through her father, newspaper tycoon Moritz Szeps. But their relationship was “fraught with tension,” explains Steiner.
Over the course of three seasons, each clocking in at six episodes, the show will explore every stage of Berta’s life. Also focusing on colorful supporting characters like Aleš Polák, a sugar factory worker who becomes her confidant, or his sister Josefa, going from “a café cashier to a fake nurse and finally to a healer on the battlefield.”
According to Steiner, decades-spanning “Salon of Sugar” –featuring both World Wars – will echo the likes of “The Crown,”andhistorical romp “Bridgerton” –“We are looking atits modern touches” –and finally “The Queen’s Gambit,” “mostly because of this engaging, constantly evolving main character,” she says about the tale of “ambition, political upheaval and personal evolution.”
While Zuckerkandl’s legacy has been largely forgotten,Steineris hoping to change it, delivering “an ode to all women who have challenged the status quo and shaped our world from behind the scenes.”
“Berta was idealistic and persistent. She was also very outspoken, rebellious. She would often step outside of her elite bubble, because to her, there were no boundaries,” she adds.
“She would also fail, obviously, but she was strong enough to rise again.”
