THE ABYSS
Creator / Writer: Marjan Alčevski
Genre: Crime, Drama
Language: Croatian, Serbian, Hungarian
Format: 55’ x 6
NUKLEUS FILM, Croatia
When the investigation of a series of gruesome, ritualistic murders of powerful men is given to detective Zora she sees it as her ticket out of the corrupt city. But when she catches the killer and learns the truth she must answer: are you a good cop or a good human?
One night a male corpse tied to a cross on a wooden boat floats on the dark water of river Drava in the city of Osijek. It blazes into fire and quickly burns. It is a gruesome murder, one of many that will follow. Someone is killing powerful men in Osijek and police detective ZORA is tasked with catching the killer. The murders appear to be ritualistic and related to the myth of RED MARY, a story orphans tell each other to feel better about their shitty lives.
Zora is only 32 and already she has had enough of the corrupt system in her city. Once she handles the serial murders case she'll be the local sheriff in her village and will put an end to domestic violence against women which has been going on for generations. She is going to do anything in order to achieve this goal.
With the help of a former local journalist DARKO, Zora investigates the murders and soon figures out that the murders are related to events from 10 years ago. Back then Darko wrote about underage prostitution which is why he lost everything, ostracized by everyone including his wife and daughter. The men who are killed have been filmed 10 years ago while doing horrible things to young girls from the local orphanage.
Despite the fact that the Serbian mafia seems to be involved as well as local big-wigs who are trying to profit from the sales of a city-owned real estate, Zora comes to the conclusion that the murders are related to the underage prostitution case. The mythical Red Mary has come to avenge the abused kids. When Zora finally learns the truth and catches the killer - a woman who goes by the name of MAJA and who was one of the victims from 10 years ago - Zora is faced with a dilemma. Does she stop the killer and hope for justice or does she let Maja finish her revenge? In a corrupt city only the corrupt succeed.
Where are we at?
Development stage: Treatment, Moodboard
Estimated production budget for a first season: 1.500.000,00 EUR
Financing in place: 22.275,00 EUR
Production timeline:
May 2019 – April 2020 - Scriptwriting with special attention on visual aspects: photography, lightning, costumes, locations, set design.
As the script envisions villains outside the country, casting some roles abroad is highly likely, mainly from neighboring countries, Serbia and Hungary.
During this period we need to take action in funding. We will apply at Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) Call for production, Torino Script Lab and attend various international film markets and pitching forums where potential partners, both coproducing and sales, could be met.
Talking mood and visual style with key art personnel: production designer, costume designer and key make-up artist. Preliminary contract them for the year ahead. First sketches and mood boards in ART department. Working alongside Director.
May 2020 – October 2020
As the pre-final draft of the script will be done by this stage, hiring a script doctor is a smart option for the final draft.
Working on polishing the dialogue in the script.
Hiring the experienced location scout that will help with preliminary location scouting.
Starting the creation of the visual aesthetic bible, both with production designer and costume designer who will finalize their mood boards and sketches, together with the director and DOP.
Organizing the casting, especially for Zora and Darko, the main protagonists.
Advancing to more accurate financial plans in terms of development with out co-production partners, receiving the funding support from Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC).
November 2020- August 2021
We need to close the financial frame at the beginning of this period.
Preproduction work begins and includes:
Working and finalizing The Storyboard,
Casting of all roles and main extras,
Rehearsals with actors,
Deciding on the locations and contracting them for the shoot,
Producing the costumes.
Deciding on the equipment, with special attention on lenses and the lightning
Starting with the first marketing activities via social networks: producing and placing teasers and photos, working with designers on creating the mystery and Red Mary symbolism, spinning the myth and the story of Red Mary via Internet. We need to stick to the aesthetic of the whole film in those materials and create intrigue around the story before it is even known of.
Finalizing the financial agreements with all crew members as well as post-production team.
Late September- early October 2021
Start of the principal photography.
Looking for at CineLink Drama:
Broadcasters.
Project’s presentation
Production Company profile
In the past 15 years, NUKLEUS has become a regional production company whose films crossed the regional borders, and were shown at important festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Sundance and TV stations such as ARTE, WDR and HBO. Nukleus is a member/participant of the European Film Academy, ACE Producers Network, Inside Pictures, EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs), as well as a regular attendant of the coproduction and pitching forums. We attended training programs such as EAVE, EAVE+, Producers on the Move, ACE Producers Network, Producers Lab Toronto and Torino FilmLab.