ESCAPE ATTEMPT - FROM PROOF OF CONCEPT TO FRANCHISE
ESCAPE ATTEMPT, THE SERIES – An expanded, six-part, sci-fi adventure series following the fates of Saul, Ana and Vadim and the mystery of the world they have discovered. The series is built around answering questions raised by the novella, set within the Strugatsky brothers’ Noon Universe, their extensive intergalactic mythology for the XXIInd century.
Internationally recognized, the work of the Strugatsky Brothers has inspired films from Cameron’s “Avatar” to Tarkovsky’s “Stalker.”
It is now inspiring our TV series, expandable into a Franchise that will be supported by the Strugatsky Brothers’ many books and their overarching vision of XXIInd century interplanetary existence -- Noon Universe.
ESCAPE ATTEMPT mixes Retro and Futuristic elements, hi-tech adventure and extinction fears. Set in a world of visual extravagance… This is a universe in existential conflict…
ESCAPE ATTEMPT, THE SERIES – will allow viewers to follow characters from the original Escape Attempt Series into season-long adventures that are thematically linked within the mythology of Noon Universe and constantly expand and challenge our understanding of that world.
“Dune,” meets “Chernobyl.”
ESCAPE ATTEMPT boldly re-imagines the Strugatsky Brothers’ Cold War allegory for our uncertain future.
SOVIET ERA SCI-FI - WHY NOW?
Today’s world crisis hinges on the fundamental question about the nature of history and the nature of humanity: is change possible? Can humans change the way they behave, or does history repeat itself endlessly, with humans forever condemned to re-enact past tragedies without changing anything except the décor? - The Economist, Feb 2022
Soviet Era authors worked under authoritarian pressure, but they still managed to create poignant, richly imagined sci-fi worlds, with characters facing sharply drawn existential dilemmas.
In the original works of the internationally known Strugatsky Brothers the liberty of the individual is in danger and the sense of a looming disaster is pervasive. A deep moral core, ingenuity and deep humor allow the reader to be continuously engaged.
We feel that this unique tone becomes more and more relevant in the world of today: politically and globally polarized, transformed by the world-wide pandemic, climate change affected. Our own universe is full of anxiety about the future and the need to explore ways we envision our own Evolution and possible “Escape.”
Breathtaking and resonant cerebral thrillers like “Foundation,” “Station Eleven” and “Extrapolations” are paving the way for this series.
In addition, “Chernobyl,” “Queen’s Gambit,” Oscar-nominated “Cold War”, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, — have recently proven that the Cold War conspiracy setting and vibe are relatable to contemporary audiences.
But no one has yet put those elements together.
Supported by the visionary genius of the Strugatsky brothers, we believe this will be a series of incredible foresight, relevance and power.
We couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to ESCAPE ATTEMPT.
Adventure - SciFi - Moral Fable
IS OUR EVOLUTION LINEAR OR SPIRAL?
SUSPENSE / FIRST SEASON STORYLINES (QUESTIONS)
Who is Saul Repnin and why did he lead Ana and Vadim to the planet of Saula? Will his arrival destroy Ana’s future with ComCon?
Why is Vadim haunted by Repnin in his dreams? Why is he becoming more and more like him?
Will Ana fulfill her dream as a pilot to help protect ComCon Earth against the advanced alien civilization of the Wanderers? What is her true identity and mission?
Will Vadim honor or betray his official Progressor mission on Saula? What traces of rebellion has Saul left behind?
Will Ana be able to save Vadim from ComCon’s wrath? Is he indeed the idealist man she loves and has sworn to protect? Or is he (as her mother believes) a sinister influence and possible Wanderer spy who will destroy her future?
What is the true relationship between Tabatha and Diana? Do they have Ana’s best interest at heart?
Will ComCon be able to continue to control and “progress” the humanoid civilization they encounter on Saula? Or are they destined to face their own hubris and be overcome by more evolved humans – the METAHUMANS, secretly groomed by the Wanderers?
We can’t evolve before confronting our capacity for blindness.
