The story of Pussy Riot set to be adapted into scripted series
Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova’s forthcoming memoir is being developed as a limited scripted series aiming to “inspire a new generation of rebels”.
After reaching a deal with STX Entertainment, Tolokonnikova’s role in the punk-feminist collective will be explored on screen. A press release said the limited series will touch on “how a young girl from Siberia took on the world’s most powerful dictator.”
The protest group formed in Moscow when Tolokonnikova was 22 years old. They gained attention after staging guerrilla gigs in public spaces, leading to them becoming infamous after vocally opposing Vladimir Putin’s policies and links to the Russian Orthodox Church.
“I was a broke 20-year-old artist studying philosophy; he was one of the most powerful, wealthy and dangerous men on Earth,” Tolokonnikova said. “In 2011, I went against him, damn the consequences. After years of imprisonment, harassment, attacks, trauma I am ready to share this story.”
She continued: “Today, I’m on Russia’s most wanted list, labelled as a foreign agent, and recently was arrested in absentia by Russian court.”
The group’s arrest after their ‘Punk Prayer’, where five members protested the re-election of Putin by donning balaclavas and walking up to the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior of the Russian Orthodox Church and jumping around, punching the air will feature in the series.
Sophie Watts, the executive producer, called Tolokonnikova’s story “nothing short of extraordinary”, likening her to a “real-life spy”.
“My relatives and friends had been poisoned; my government wants me dead, but I don’t regret anything,” shared a resolute Tolokonnikova. “If Pussy Riot’s story can inspire a new generation of rebels, it was all not in vain.”
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