New York, Dec 10 (FN Bureau) Emmy-Award-winning director and cinematographer Andrij Parekh (‘Succession’, ‘Watchman’) is set to direct ‘Red Rainbow’, a dramedy series produced by Alexander Rodnyanskyvia, through his AR Content banner. Based on a true story, “Red Rainbow” is set in 1979 and focuses on three young German gay activists from West Berlin who, through a series of blunders and misunderstandings, are invited by Soviet Central Committee Secretary Kaptinov to join an official visit to the USSR where homosexuality was punishable by a lengthy prison sentence, Deadline.com reported.
The series, has won the Best Project Award at the Series Mania Forum earlier this year, is a dramedy of bureaucratic blunders and cultural misunderstandings wrapped around a heart-wrenching love story exploring themes of identity, personal courage and tolerance. It’s set in a period when the homosexuals found themselves facing strong sexual repression and the LGBTQ+ community faced great oppression and prejudice throughout the world. Matt Jones, who is the writer of ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Mr. Selfridge’ has penned the eight-episode script, which has won the Best Project Award at the Series Mania Forum earlier this year, according to the website. “I’m very happy to bring Red Rainbow into the world,” said Parekh, who won an Emmy for directing Succession. “Leading with an absurd premise, this project is incredibly nuanced and layered and promises to both challenge viewers and draw them into the relationships and the love story that unfolds against the backdrop of late 1970s Soviet Russia.”
Alexander Rodnyansky stated: “We are thrilled that Andrij joined Red Rainbow as the director. I believe that this is the first time in history when a US director of his caliber will direct a Russian television series. I have been a great admirer of Andrij’s work both as a director and as an incredible DP. “I am excited that he will be the person to bring this incredible story to international audiences. Preparing for Red Rainbow, we have commissioned a research paper on LGBTQ+ in the USSR, which detailed everyday life of gay people there. Even in the most dangerous times and against most horrible odds, love always found a way. This is what Red Rainbow is ultimately about. It is a story about the power of love.” The series is currently in development at AR Content. Prolific producer Alexander Rodnyansky’s latest film ‘Unclenching The Fists’, directed by Kira Kovalenko, is Russia’s official submission for the Oscars this year.