Hot picks from Prague

C21 was on the ground at Natpe Europe in Prague this week scouting out the most interesting shows and our latest Hot Properties Playlist comprises 11 top titles from the Eastern European market.

The playlist is available to view through the C21Screenings portal and the C21Screen app or simply click on the trailers below.

If you would like to submit a show for consideration in one of our upcoming C21 Hot Properties Playlists, email hotproperties@c21media.net.

No Matter What

Title: No Matter What (Kud puklo da puklo, 171×45′)
Country: Croatia
Synopsis: Comedy-drama about three siblings whose grandfather leaves them his house in a tiny village and small fortune in his will but they can only claim the inheritance on the condition that they live in the village for one year. If any of them leaves during this time, they get nothing and the inheritance gets shared among the villagers. A ratings hit for Central European Media Enterprises’ Nova TV, concluding earlier this month and already exported to 30 countries.

Holiday in the Protectorate

Title: Holiday in the Protectorate (Dovolená v protektorátu, 8×60’)
Country: Czech Republic
Synopsis: Controversial reality TV show that aims to recreate life under Nazi occupation, putting a modern-day family in a remote mountainside under wartime conditions, with actors playing German soldiers. Despite heavy criticism for trivialising the events of the Second World War, pubcaster and producer Czech Television is considering a second season after the first concluded this month.

Our Year in China

Title: Our Year in China (Meie aasta Hiinas, 14×23’)
Country: Estonia
Synopsis: Travel adventure series following an Estonian family as they pack their bags and head off to explore China for 12 months, a format Estonian broadcaster Kanal 2 scored success with several years ago, with a version set in Siberia. The latest edition was introduced to the Kanal 2 schedule alongside a local adaptation of disability reality show Beyond Boundaries.

A Noble Tale

Title: A Noble Tale (Ena žlahtna štorija, 45×45′)
Country: Slovenia
Synopsis: Slovenian broadcaster Planet TV’s first original series, this romantic comedy tells the story of four daughters who return to their parents’ estate after their mother dies to be told by their father that the will grants his wife’s inheritance to only one of the daughters, on condition that she joins the church. A hit for Planet TV, made by local prodco Mangart and stripped Wednesday-Friday at 20.00 from March to June. A second season is expected.

Upper Lower

Title: Upper Lower (Horná Dolná, 8×55’)
Country: Slovakia
Synopsis: Recently renewed comedy hit from Central European Media Enterprises’ TV Markíza in Slovakia, this series is a tale of quirky village life, featuring a variety of characters including a mayor who likes to spend his time fishing, a priest struggling with temptation, a policeman with little to do and two women who compete for the affections of the local men.

The Last Moskal

Title: The Last Moskal (8×60′)
Country: Ukraine
Synopsis: Eight-part patriotic comedy about the son of a Russian oligarch who escapes from gangsters to begin a new life in Ukraine. Delivered a ratings hit for the country’s 1+1 network when it debuted in April and the station’s in-house production arm is now developing an extended second run of 16 episodes. Filming will start this autumn for airing next year.

Firefighters

Title: Firefighters (10×45′)
Country: Poland
Synopsis: Original Polish drama series about the lives and jobs of a local firefighting squad. Produced by ATM Group’s Baltmedia, the series has proven a hit for public broadcaster TVP1, which has now commissioned a second season.

Resurrection

Title: Resurrection (Diriliş: Ertuğrul, 26×110-125′)
Country: Turkey
Synopsis: Historical adventure series made by Tekden Film for TRT1, this drama is set during the thirtheen century and centres around the life of Ertuğrul, father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Still on air, a second season has been commissioned. TRT Sales and ITV Intermedya share distribution.

Cherry Season

Title: Cherry Season (200×45′)
Country: Turkey
Synopsis: Hit primetime romantic drama about the love life of an aspiring fashion designer, produced by Istanbul-based Surec Films for Fox TV in Turkey. Picked up by Canale 5 in Italy via distributor Eccho Rights, which is also selling the show as a format.

Second Chance Restaurant

Title: Second Chance Restaurant (Hospoda u Druhe Sance, 9×50′)
Country: Czech Republic
Synopsis: On air for a couple of years now, this series is billed as the first reality show made for pubcaster Czech Television. Made by Prague-based Now Productions, it follows 10 unemployed people from various backgrounds who are all looking for a second chance in life. They compete to win a job as the cook in a new restaurant. As part of the show, all competitors go through an accredited re-training programme.

Blind Cooking

Title: Blind Cooking (10×60′)
Country: Serbia
Synopsis: Culinary gameshow in which 12 celebrities each have to cook dishes while blindfolded while a panel of judges decides who has come up with the best meal. Made by Serbia’s Pink Media Group and broadcast on the company’s Pink TV channel, for which the firm says it has lifted the slot average by 41%.