Media Release: 1-2-3 Production partners with Connect3 Media and Yap Films on a premium limited documentary series that tells the story of the iconic hockey rivalry between Canada and the USSR

Leading Canadian production companies Connect3 Media and Yap Films are partnering with renowned Russian producer 1-2-3 Production to co-develop Seventy-Two (w/t), a limited documentary series exploring the pivotal moment in one of the biggest sporting rivalries in the world: the USSR vs. Canada ice hockey rivalry.

In 1972 the top athletes from the two countries came together to play The Summit Series—a winner-takes-all set of games in Canada and Russia. This wasn’t the Olympics with many countries participating in a competition; instead, it was two nations facing off against each other over eight epic, intense, combative games infused with Cold War politics and intense feelings amongst both players and fans. 

The stakes for both the players and the countries they represented were astronomical and what followed was a sports tournament unlike any other—a roller coaster of sporting excellence and controversy, with allegations of dirty play and disputes over officiating. In Canada, the games were set against a backdrop of a home-grown terrorist movement that had turned violent, while KGB agents and Soviet soldiers sat in the stands for the games in Moscow.

Employing a unique new approach, Seventy-Two (w/t) will shine a new light on what transpired, providing the definitive history of the event. Dan Diamond, who has written more than a dozen books in conjunction with NHL teams and was named in The Hockey News’ inaugural list of 100 People of Power and Influence in Hockey, is attached as an Executive Producer. Igor Kuperman, former Assistant General Manager for the Russian Olympic hockey team and the first European to work for an NHL team’s front office, also serves as an Executive Producer.

Pablo Salzman, President, Connect3 Media said: “The incredible personal stories, strong characters and physical drama of the 72 Series set against the geo-political environment where cold-war rivals tried everything to gain the upper hand will give this series huge global appeal, even in those parts of the world where ice hockey isn’t the most popular sport.”

Elliott Halpern, President, Yap Films said: “A whole new generation of Canadians who have only heard about the Summit Series in passing are going to be fascinated by Seventy-Two (w/t), which brings together the key players and experts to tell the whole incredible story for the first time.”

Nelly Yaralova, General producer, 1-2-3 Production added: “We are thrilled to be bringing together producers from Canada and Russia and the perspectives of key insiders on both sides of the Summit Series to reveal the definitive history of why this showdown mattered so much and has left an imprint on the sport that’s visible to this day.”

Yap Films’ extensive output of high-quality content includes The Lost Unabomber Tapes for Netflix, which was produced with the help of Connect3. Halpern and Elizabeth Trojian, Yap’s Chief Creative Officer were also recently nominated for a 2021 Emmy Award for How It Feels To Be Free directed by Yoruba Richen.

Connect3 Media, a Cineflix Media-owned production company, specializes in bringing together the best creatives from around the world. The company is currently in production on the feature-length documentary The Kings of Coke for Crave in Canada.

1-2-3 Production is best known for Netflix hit series To the Lake, the first original Netflix Russian series Anna K, currently in production, recent Canneseries official competition selection Dreams of Alice, international phenomenon limited series The Dead Mountain: Dyatlov Pass Incident and Serial Killer Festival Grand Prix winner series Six Empty Seats.

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Media contacts:

Mark Ogle at OH Communications for Connect3 Media
mark@ohcommunications.co.uk

Ian Royer at Anansi Tales Marketing for Yap Films
ian@imsroyer.com 

Alina Pozdnyakova, Head of PR, 1-2-3 Production
apozdnyakova@123prod.ru

About Connect3 Media Inc.
Connect3 Media collaborates with independent producers, writers, and showrunners to develop and deliver first-class television content. The company focusses on co-productions for the North American and international markets, working with independent creatives to connect their projects with the right platform and broadcast partners. Led by Pablo Salzman, Connect3 is based in Montreal and backed by Cineflix Media Inc.

About Yap Films
Founded by Elliott Halpern and the late Pauline Duffy in 2002, Yap films is a highly respected independent production company specializing in entertaining, original and high-profile documentary specials and factual series on a wide range of subject matter for broadcast and cable networks in North America and internationally.

About 1-2-3 Production
1-2-3 Production is a Moscow-based company with a focus on both commercial genre and director-driven feature films and premium high-concept drama series. The company is covering the full life cycle of content production from creative incubator, in house production and post-production teams of facilities and 1-2-3 VFX. The company is included in the top10 list of the leading productions of the Russian Federation.