In Estonian-Ukrainian Series ‘My Dear Mother,’ Love Is a Crime: ‘It Will Leave You Breathless’

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The Berlinale Series Market chooses “My Dear Mother,” a series that begins with a chilling murder, yet is not primarily focused on the crime. Instead, as explained by writer Raoul Suvi, it’s a heartfelt tale of unconventional love.

Perhaps it’s not immediately clear, but the story revolves around a struggle against unseen injustices, and a deep-rooted belief that the protagonist is worthy of love and a far superior existence.

In this six-episode Estonian-Ukrainian series, jointly produced by Zolba Productions and Ukraine’s Film.UA Group, viewers are given the chance to assume the roles of both judge and investigative journalist. Their task is to uncover the truth behind a girl’s alleged crime: the murder of her own mother.

Suvi points out as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that these institutions, such as her family, have failed to uphold their core values and objectives,” explains the narrator.

I aimed to construct a story that doesn’t focus on one particular incident but instead paints a complex portrait of the often-overlooked reality surrounding us. Fortunately, we benefited from skilled advisors: Külli-Riin Tigasson, a journalist whose work ignited our own investigation, and Andres Anvelt, who has extensive experience in law enforcement.

Director Doris Tääker believed that depicting violence on-screen was essential to portray the harrowing reality faced by a young woman who descends into a life as a fentanyl addict and a prostitute.

Displaying graphic violence sparks debates: What’s its objective? Will viewers keep engaged? To convey a powerful message, we opted for a highly authentic style and portrayed violent episodes from the protagonist’s viewpoint, who is the victim. These scenes aren’t limited to depicting the actual act of violence but also delve into the subsequent consequences, as I believe that the trauma felt by the victim extends beyond the incident itself.

Since an intimacy coordinator wasn’t available, Tääker collaborated with their stunt coordinator instead, ensuring a secure working atmosphere for the actors.

He proposed referencing the ‘Irréversible’ tunnel sequence, emphasizing not the graphic violence of the assault, but rather the inescapable predicament of the victim. A slower pace and reduced movement heightens the intensity and horror of the scene.

Doris Tislar portrays Alina. To alleviate her family’s financial woes and assist her mother, Renata (Elina Reinold), she embarks on selling herself. However, police officer Mart Arman (Indrek Ojari) aims to prevent her from working the streets and drug use. Ironically, his efforts result in him being dismissed from duty.

The twisted mother-daughter relationship is the heart of the story, admits Tääker. 

To truly grasp who Alina’s mother is, it’s significant to familiarize yourself with Estonian history. The country reclaimed its independence in 1991, just a year after Alina was born. During the Soviet era, Renata thrived as a restaurant manager. However, she found herself with a daughter she didn’t ask for and an unsatisfying marriage. In her struggle to regain control, Alina unfortunately becomes her means.

With Alina’s arrest, budding journalist Saara Pius embarks on an investigative journey, delving into the case and finding herself navigating through its shadows.

Producer Toomas Ili remarks that lighter genres and narratives tend to be more appealing in challenging times, but he stresses that it’s not acceptable to ignore significant and impactful themes simply because of this.

Crime narratives are consistently in demand, yet finding a truly exceptional one becomes increasingly challenging due to the abundance of existing stories. ‘My Dear Mother’ stands out by delving much deeper, leaving readers awestruck by its conclusion.

Working with Film.UA Group was a significantly important part of the project for Zolba Productions’ Eugenio Supin, who also highlighted the need to digitally rejuvenate the primary cast members.

This task requires expertise and advanced technical skills. Instead of tackling it alone, we’ve chosen to collaborate with our long-time associates at Film.UA. Known for their professionalism, they also manage distribution. Their team excels in modern AI technologies and boasts a state-of-the-art division dedicated to producing innovative projects.

Victoria Yarmoshchuk, the CEO, notes that ‘My Dear Mother’ demonstrates the strength of global teamwork and technological advancements,” says the executive.

Through our top-tier postproduction skills combined with AI visual effects, we contributed significantly to a series that not only engages through its narrative but also pushes the boundaries of audio-visual superiority. Being chosen for Berlinale Series Market Selects underscores our conviction that innovative creative ideas and international collaborations can result in truly influential content.

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2025-02-17 17:46