PRESS RELEASE
WALTER PRESENTS SECURES FIRST RUSSIAN SERIES ‘THE SECT’
Tuesday 25th June 2019
British distributor Videoplugger and Les Films de la Strada are delighted to announce that THE SECT (Cekta) has been picked up in a deal with Global Series Network (GSN) and will air on All 4’s VOD platform Walter Presents in UK and Republic Of Ireland.
The eight-part hit Russian series is directed by French director Gela Babluani who previously made ‘Money’ and ’13 Tzameti’.
THE SECT follows psychotherapist Demidov (Evgeny Koriakovsky) and Lilya a nurse played by Svetlana Khodchenkova (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) Demidov, manages a covert sect – deprogramming venture, specializing in controversial methods of liberating members from dangerous sects.
Walter Iuzzolino, Co-founder & Curator Walter Presents says,
“I’ve been looking for a glossy, gripping, contemporary Russian series for some time and this one has definitely been worth the wait. The Sect is a beautiful, haunting psychological thriller with an original story and a bold cinematic approach. Unflinchingly honest, at times brutal with a distinct uncompromising Russian flavour, this is an exciting first foray for Walter Presents into a previously untapped region.”
Gela Babluani, Director says,
“The adventure of The Sect started after a meeting with my friend Anton Shchukin, an amazing producer-writer from Good Story Media. I loved the idea of the pitch, the project was very ambitious but had a real challenge: creating a series not only for the local market but also with an international appeal. And I got very lucky with my amazing cast. The first episode garnered great interest from international buyers, and I felt Emanuele Galloni at Videoplugger had a great approach and vision for the project. The Sect was released on TNT-premiere in Russia with remarkable ratings, becoming part of the top-five premieres ever made on that platform.
We’re delighted the acclaimed global drama service Walter Presents will champion the series in the UK and hope this will ignite interest from other territories.”
Emanuele Galloni, CEO Videoplugger says,
“The Sect being picked up by Channel 4’s streaming service Walter Presents, one of the top hotspots for foreign language drama in the UK, is a great achievement for Videoplugger. A recognition of our hard work cherry-picking great drama for international representation and distribution from all over the world. We are particularly proud that this has happened with THE SECT, the latest of work of award-winning director Gela Babluani, with whom we have been co-operating closely for quite some time. We look forward to seeing the series travel much further internationally.”
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