Emmy Award-winning director and cinematographer Andrij Parekh (Succession, Watchmen, Scenes From a Marriage) is set to direct Red Rainbow, a dramedy series to be produced by Academy-Award nominated producer Alexander Rodnyansky (Leviathan, Loveless, Beanpole). Rodnyansky’s latest film, Unclenching the Fists by Kira Kovalenko, is Russia's official submission for the Academy Award race this year.

In 1977, a high-ranking Soviet politician traveled to West Berlin to address a socialist rally. There he met three young activists who impressed him with their commitment to communism. On the spur of the moment, he invited them to visit Moscow, so they could experience the socialist utopia first hand and inspire young Soviet men and women back home with their heartfelt fervour. Through a communication mishap, the politician didn’t realize that instead of communists, he had actually invited a group of West German Homosexual activists to Moscow, where homosexuality was punishable by a lengthy prison sentence.

Red Rainbow is a dramedy of bureaucratic blunders and cultural misunderstandings, wrapped around a heart-wrenching love story exploring themes of identity, personal courage, and tolerance. Based on a true story, the series looks at what happens when unashamed, unapologetic homosexuals and liberationists find themselves in a time and place of sexual repression and oppression.

Awarded by Series Mania Forum Best Project earlier this year, the eight-episode series is written by Matt Jones (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Dirk Gently, Mr. Selfridge, The Split).

“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 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”, says producer, founder of AR Content Alexander Rodnyansky.

“I'm very happy to bring Red Rainbow into the world. 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 love story that unfold against the backdrop of late 70’s Soviet Russia”, says director Andrij Parekh.

The series is now in development with Alexander Rodnyansky’s AR Content.