Roast Beef to tell the story of Pussy Riot

The group achieved international fame when three members were arrested after performing in a Moscow Cathedral as part of a stunt against Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The film, from producer/director Mike Lerner, has the working title Show Trial: The Story Of Pussy Riot. The BBC is involved in the project, which Goldcrest will be selling.

Executive producer Havana Marking revealed details of the doc, which is currently being edited, during IDFA this week.

“It’s the story of the trial, the women behind it, who they are, what they do and why they do it,” Marking explained.

Lerner reportedly had full access to the Pussy Riot members.

“Mike Lerner saw a paragraph about Pussy Riot before anyone had even realized it was controversial in Russia. He knew it was important and got in touch with them immediately,” Marking said.

Roast Beef is also plotting a feature doc about pop Svengali Malcolm McLaren, to be directed by Martin Herring.

Marking’s own latest film as a director, Smash & Grab – The Story of the Pink Panthers (about the notorious gang of diamond robbers) had its world premiere on Tuesday night in IDFA’s main competition.

 This is also being sold internationally by Goldcrest and has been submitted to Sundance.

At IDFA this week, Marking (who enjoyed international success with his earlier doc Afghan Star) has been accompanied by Captain Yan Glassey of the Swiss police, head of the Anti-Bandit brigade and Europe’s foremost expert on the Pink Panthers. He is one of the characters who feature in the film.

Separately, British director Kevin Macdonald has been developing a TV drama about the Pink Panthers.