The highly anticipated European event series “Rise of the Raven” from Beta Film, following “Babylon Berlin” and “The Swarm,” and producer Robert Lantos (“Sunshine,” “The Sweet Hereafter,” “Eastern Promises”), will have its world premiere at the Cannes content trade fair Mipcom on October 22.
Beta Films exclusively partnered with diverse This is the first trailer for the series, which is a powerful introduction to the scale and ambition of the production values of “Rise of the Raven,” as well as the brutality of its battle scenes, as it tells in a 10-part epic the extraordinary real-life exploits of Hungarian army commander János Hunyadi, played by Discovery Gellert L. Kádár, who succeeded in repelling the seemingly unstoppable advance of the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
This seemed to reach its climax in the series as it did in history in 1456 when Hunyadi won the bloody Battle of Belgrade against a massive Ottoman force twice the size of his own armed only sometimes with catapults and patriotic fervor.
In celebration of Hunyadi's victory, Pope Callixtus III ordered churches all over the world to ring their bells every day at noon. Churches still do so to this day.
The 10-episode series is scheduled to air in 2025. It is being distributed internationally by Beta Film.
Lantos, Kadar, Vivian Roediger, who plays Hunyadi's wife, the terrifying Erzsébet, and Francisca Torosic, his first love Mara, who was given to the Ottoman Sultan Murad by her father in an attempt to appease the invaders, will attend the MIPCOM premiere.
Also in attendance will be principal cast members Marianne Hermany (“Shadow and Bone”), Erno Vecchetti (“Son of Saul”), Elena Rusconi (“6 Underground”), directors Robert Dornhelm (“Children of Theatre Street,” “Vienna Blood,” “Maria Theresa,” “War and Peace”), Orsi Nagybal (“The Deal,” “The Outpost” on The CW), Attila Szasz (“Tall Tales,” “Eternal Winter”), and executive producer Balazs Lengyel (“Golden Life” on HBO).
“Rise of the Raven” is produced by Robert Lantos. Executive producers are Tibor Krsko, Cecilia Hazai, Kinga Hazai, Oliver Auspitz, and Andreas Kamm of MR Film, as well as Kobi Gal-Raday, with Ari Lantos serving as producer.
The production companies are Twin Media, HG Media, MR Film and Beta Film, which is co-produced by Hungarian TV2 and Austrian public broadcaster ORF, with support from the National Film Institute of Hungary.
“The series follows the hero’s journey from village boy to brave warrior, to savior of Europe, for whom the noon bell rings,” Lantos commented. “Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the noon bell. The best-selling Pan Mhor novels have given me the opportunity to tell this story.”
“Rise of the Raven is a unique epic story that is relevant to today’s audiences around the world,” said Gal-Raday. “The outstanding talents in front of and behind the camera have delivered a unique cinematic experience, unprecedented in the European television landscape.”
“Rise of the Raven is an epic film in its story and on screen,” said Lucy Smith, Director of Mipcom Cannes and Mip London. “With ambitious storytelling and high production values from an exceptional creative team and truly international cast, we are thrilled to be hosting its Cannes premiere.”
