EXCLUSIVE: We’ve learned that STX Entertainment has reached a deal with Nadya Tolokonnikova, the artist, activist, and creator of the legendary Russian feminist protest art collective Pussy Riot, to develop a limited scripted series based on her forthcoming memoir.
The project was brought to the studio by former President of STX Sophie Watts.
The series represents the first scripted project of Pussy Riot with the full support of the creator of the movement, Nadya Tolokonnikova, with all preceding projects (including Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer and Pussy versus Putin) being documentaries. The project will explore the story of how a young girl from Siberia took on the world’s most powerful dictator – the origins and formation of the art collective; the actions of Nadya and fellow young women against Putin in Moscow; their arrest after the famous “Punk Prayer” action; their trial, conviction, and jail sentence; and the protests they conducted at the Sochi Olympics after their release.
Watts will serve as EP of the series and will guide the project along with STX’s Robert Simonds and Sam Brown. John Caldwell (Unicorn DAO co-founder) will also executive produce.
“We are incredibly excited to make a show as courageous and daring as its subject,” said Watts. “Nadya’s life is nothing short of extraordinary. A gripping, real-life spy life, filled with heroic, relentless art actions and activism, this series will show how a persevering artistic spirit can change the world.”
Nadya Tolokonnikova said: “I was a broke 20-year-old artist studying philosophy, he was one of the most powerful, wealthy and dangerous men on Earth. In 2011 I went against him, damn the consequences. After years of imprisonment, harassment, attacks, trauma I am ready to share this story.”
She adds, “My dream is to see my country peaceful, democratic and diverse, where gay people are not being stoned to death. Is it too much to ask? Does it make me an extremist?”
“Today I’m on Russia’s most wanted list, labeled as a foreign agent, and recently was arrested in absentia by Russian court. My relatives and friends had been poisoned, my government wants me dead, but I don’t regret anything. If Pussy Riot’s story can inspire a new generation of rebels, it was all not in vain.”
Tolokonnikova is represented by Larry Salz at UTA and attorney Dave Ryan at Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson LLP.