‘Icebreaker’ trailer, Jojo Erholtz to direct ‘dead women’

Finland’s Helsinki-Filmi is ready to hear ‘dead women talk’ in a new series directed by Jojo Erholtz.

Based on Johanna Holvikallio’s original concept – with Tua Harno as lead writer – it sees two ambitious reporters, Olivia and Noora, hosting a podcast about crimes against women. But a decades-old case of beauty murders in a small town could cost them their lives.

“I believe original ideas are still worth investing in. Stories with unique but relatable hooks will continue to put sores on seats,” said head of drama Mia Ylönen.

“Finns have grown to strive for unique ideas, just look at Nordic noir and ‘Finnish weird’. As a production company, we also want to highlight new voices and marginalized communities, while ensuring that the film or series still appeals to a broad mainstream audience. ”

True crime podcasts have proven “incredibly popular” with young women, pointed out producer Anniina Leppänen.

“I believe this topic resonates deeply with the series’ target audience. Personally, I’ve been listening to them for years and it’s been fascinating to explore why this format resonates so strongly with women. Especially considering that true crime magazines and documentaries have been around for decades,” she added.

“The series is a bold, addictive and modern addition to the world of crime dramas. Although it focuses on violence against women – a critical social problem that cannot be ignored – it approaches the subject from a new perspective. It literally gives a voice to women: both those who investigate crimes and those who have been victims. ”

In the show, currently in development and illuminated by main characters’ friendship and humor, women will not be “faceless statistics.”

“They are real, multi-dimensional individuals with dreams, ambitions and opinions. Although the series explores dark and heavy themes, it remains a compelling crime drama with compelling mystery elements. ”

Jojo Erholtz, a Helsinki-based director, writer and editor behind “Detective Maria Kallio” and “Soulmates”—developed her debut feature with Aamu Film Company, also behind Juho Kuosmanen’s hits—was “excited” to call.

“What attracted me was the complex narrative and well-drawn characters. The story takes place in two different timelines as our modern protagonists begin to investigate a murder that took place in the 1980s. The idea of ​​using podcast narration and sound as the source of drama, and as a narrative guide, offers a unique way to approach the style of the series,” she shared Variety.

“And of course, having two fierce female leads fighting for the truth while risking their lives makes for an entertaining rollercoaster.”

At the moment, Finnish scripts tend to be ‘more ambitious than our funding’, but shows like ‘dead women talk’ will ‘hopefully set the bar high’.

“It not only motivates the main creators, but everyone who works on the series. I would love to see a Nordic zombie drama thriller in the cold of winter. Maybe I should pitch this to Mia? ”

Ahead of Gothenburg’s TV drama vision, Helsinki-Filmi also debuted an exclusive trailer for highly anticipated ‘icebreaker’. The show, directed by Pete Riski, will have its international premiere on AMC+ in Spain on February 13.

Led by actor Jessica Grabowsky, cast as a Coast Guardsman whose day is about to take a turn, it introduces a group of survivors left behind on a stranded icebreaker. Soon they start to disappear and something supernatural is at play.

“Both series combine something familiar with something surprising. ‘Icebreaker’ takes a mysterious thriller to an unseen location: a literal icebreaker plowing through the frozen sea. ‘Dead Women Talk’ explores a murder case in an unusual setting: a true crime podcast. I believe these exciting concepts, coupled with strong female leads, are the unique selling points of this series,” said Ylönen.

“Icebreaker,” commissioned by Elisa Viihde, is distributed by APC. “Dead Women Talk” is commissioned by Yle.

“Our international shows will continue to focus on high-concept crime and thriller series, continuing in the footsteps of our flagship series’ codename: Annika.” One that, once again, merged something familiar – an undercover cop – with something unknown: the world of art fraud. Our strength has always been in creating unique drama concepts with an irresistible hook and a human heart. ”