Cannes Winner Directs ‘Yours, Margot’: Unveiling Family Secrets

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Finnish filmmaker Juho Kuosmanen, who received the Grand Prix at Cannes for “Compartment No. 6,” has teamed up with Elisa Viihde, a homegrown entertainment service of Elisa, to produce the upcoming series titled “Yours, Margot.” Since 2014, Elisa Viihde, an original drama series commissioner, has been active in creating unique television content.

The project has been on hold, but I’m thrilled that it’s moving forward with Elisa. We’re continuing to work on it since the script is essential – indeed, it’s even more important in television than in movies, as he shared with EbMaster.

Our focus isn’t on creating just any TV series, but rather a high-quality one. That kind of excellence requires patience.

A TV series needs a strong script and a talented cast to be successful, as well as someone who can find fantastic locations for filming. In fact, this director has previously directed the series “Zone B” and “Alice & Jack,” with Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson in the starring roles. Additionally, he served as an executive producer on the show.

Titled “Yours, Margot,” this novel by Meri Valkama centers around Vilja, who grew up in East Berlin. Following her father’s demise, a foreign correspondent, she unearths old letters from the enigmatic “Margot.” These letters hint at her family’s harrowing past during the 1980s. As a journalist now, Vilja embarks on a quest to locate Margot and uncover the truth behind the secrets of her past.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you from personal experience that adapting a book into a film is no walk in the park. It’s not as straightforward as you might initially think – it’s not just about converting words into images and dialogue.

Instead, the real challenge lies in identifying what resonated with you in the original work, what captivated you, and what emotions and themes stood out the most. Once you’ve found those key elements, you must then carefully construct a film that embodies them. It’s a delicate process, but one that is truly rewarding when done well.

Juho has high standards for scripts, particularly the narrative tone. Andris Feldmanis and Livia Ulman, who are also known for ‘Compartment No. 6’, drafted numerous versions before everyone was satisfied. Now, we’ve collaborated effectively with Beta Film to create a stellar pilot and bible.

In 2023, the show was honored with one of the Seriesmakers’ Beta Development Awards, worth €50,000 ($54,000). This award was given during the inaugural year of the initiative, which is spearheaded by SeriesMania and backed by Beta.

Rantamäki reminisced about a promising beginning for our project. It became clear that others recognized significant potential in our team and concept. At an early stage of development, the award we received and collaboration with Beta Film propelled us forward,” he noted, expressing eagerness to embark on “international fundraising.

We believe the series aligns perfectly with Elisa’s editorial vision, and we’ve collaborated closely with them since the project’s inception.

Sari Lempiäinen, the executive producer at Elisa Viihde, expressed pride: “It’s an honor for us to include this series in our original lineup and begin collaborating with Juho and Jussi.

As stated by Ani Korpela, who serves as Elisa’s Chief Content Officer, the program embodies exactly what Elisa Viihde aims to achieve in its original productions: daring, top-notch European dramas that showcase a unique creative perspective and attract a global audience.

In a beautifully organic manner, ‘Yours, Margot’ seemed to coalesce perfectly. Finnish filmmaker Juho Kuosmanen recognized within Meri Valkama’s book a profoundly layered, intensely personal narrative that demanded a broader stage for its expression.

This project serves as an excellent demonstration of our strategy for international collaborations. Given that a significant portion of the narrative unfolds in Berlin, it makes sense to team up with German counterparts. Moreover, the themes it explores are universally relatable, leading us to anticipate its resonance with audiences not just in Finland, but globally.

Ferdinand Dohna, Beta Film’s Content & Co-Production Head, deemed the latest collaboration as a significant “achievement” for the series.

It’s wonderful to observe that Seriesmakers, our creative initiative, is fulfilling its role: promoting creativity and cultivating talent from around the world who are passionate about television storytelling. With the help of exceptional collaborators, mentors, and experts, we are thrilled to be part of ‘Yours, Margot’s journey and reveal its unique cinematic style to a global audience.

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2025-03-21 15:17