Beta Film, Germany's ZDFneo and France Televisions are joining forces on the Ukrainian war drama In Her Car. Principal photography to the 10x25’ road drama set during the early days of the war in Ukraine is underway on confidential locations in and around Kyiv, Ukraine. Initiated by showrunner Eugen Tunik together with Kyiv based Starlight Media, it was global studio Gaumont that set up and closed a broad international financing and co-production alliance, Beta announced yesterday.

In Her Car (10x25’) draws on lived experiences of Kyivans scrambling for shelter following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Each episode follows local therapist Lydia (How is Katia? star Anastasia Karpenko) shuttling a different person to safety. Told from inside the protagonist’s car, the series will explore different tales of resilience and civic responsibility and each passenger has a very own and touching story to tell.

Sabine de Mardt, Managing Director of Gaumont Germany, commented: “We are more than happy having assembled such strong players as ZDFneo, France Télévisions and Beta Film to bring this series of utmost relevance to a broad world-wide audience together.”
Andreas F. Bareiss, Gaumont’s executive producer on In Her Car, said: “Working with Eugen and the team of Starlight Media on this show is a great experience and privilege for us. We admire the courage of our Ukrainian partners to realize a series under the given conditions on location. Thank God there have been no major incidents during the shoot so far, and we are doing our best to ensure the safety of the shooting. With Anastasia Karpenko in the lead, we have found the perfect match for the role of Lydia. Her acting performance goes straight to the heart, the first images are breathtaking.”

Veronika Kovacova, Beta’s EVP International Sales & Acquisitions CEE, added: “In Her Car emphasizes the power of human stories that cut through borders and conflicts. The courage, commitment and professionalism of the talented creatives involved in the realization of In Her Car under most difficult conditions is more than impressive. At Beta Film, we are proud to stand with Starlight Media, Gaumont, ZDFneo and France Télévisions, on this truly meaningful production and are sure that In Her Car will travel the world.”

The Starlight Media and Gaumont co-production In Her Car is created by Eugen Tunik, in co-production with France Télévisions and ZDF, partners of The European Alliance. Beta Film handles international sales.