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Muppets in Moscow: Russia's Wild Sesame Street Saga
17 May
Summary
- A film will adapt the true story of bringing Sesame Street to Russia.
- The production faced bombings and political turmoil during its creation.
- Charles Randolph, Oscar-winning writer, will pen the screenplay.
A feature film, tentatively titled "Muppets in Moscow," is set to bring the extraordinary true story of "Sesame Street's" Russian adaptation to the screen. Emotion Pictures, a new banner from Vendôme Group, Pathé, and Merit France, is producing the project in collaboration with Riley Keough and Gina Gammell's Felix Culpa. Oscar-winning screenwriter Charles Randolph of "The Big Short" fame is attached to write the script.
The film will be based on Natasha Lance Rogoff's acclaimed memoir, which chronicles her firsthand experience launching the Russian version of "Sesame Street," titled "Ulitsa Sezam." Rogoff's account details the significant challenges encountered, including navigating bombings, political violence, and even a military takeover of the production office in the years following the Soviet Union's collapse.
Despite the turbulent environment and cultural differences, Rogoff and her Russian team were committed to delivering laughter and learning to children across Russia and Ukraine. The production aimed to foster hope and Western values, ultimately creating a revealing portrait of a society in transition and its evolving relationship with the West.
This project highlights Emotion Pictures' ambitious slate, which also includes the film "Ibelin." Felix Culpa, meanwhile, recently had their film "Butterfly Jam" open the Cannes Directors' Fortnight. Charles Randolph's notable past screenwriting credits include "Bombshell" and "Love & Other Drugs."
