Why is it easier to fund a Russian-language show than a Romanian one in Moldova? What makes mockumentary the perfect genre for tackling disinformation? And can laughter really shift how people see politics? In this exclusive interview with MoldovaLive, producer Sergiu Scobioala opens up about the inspiration behind his sharp new series — and why beating propaganda sometimes takes better lighting and a punchline.
How did the idea of creating the series come about? What inspired you to develop a plot that satirizes political propaganda in Moldova?
We were brainstorming new ways to tackle disinformation through media — and we realized the most persistent source of it is often political actors themselves. While we’re out there creating campaigns for truth, they’re running their own “creative contests” for lies: competing for attention, budgets, and headlines. So, we figured… let’s beat them at their own game, but with satire and better lighting.
Why did you choose the mockumentary format, similar to “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”?
Mockumentaries are my personal guilty pleasure. They let you expose absurdity while pretending everything is dead serious. It’s the perfect format when you want the audience to laugh… and then suddenly realize they might’ve voted for someone exactly like that.
You mentioned that it was harder to find funding for a Romanian-language project than for a Russian-language one. How do you explain this difference?
Let’s just say I’ve developed an instinct for where artistic ideas meet realistic budgets. In Moldova, most funding is tailored for traditional media, not creative storytelling. Luckily, we found a great partner in Content Fund, who shared our vision — even if, for now, that vision speaks Russian. I truly hope we’ll see similar support emerge for Romanian-language content as well.
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How do you assess the Moldovan audience’s interest in Russian-language content?
Moldovans are multilingual and pragmatic: they watch what’s accessible and engaging. Historically, we’ve consumed a lot of Russian-language content — professionally dubbed, easy to follow, and widely distributed. Unlike Romanians, we never really fell in love with reading subtitles.
How did the casting and filming process go? What challenges did the team face during production?
Casting was crucial — small cast, few locations, no room for weak links. The challenge? We don’t exactly have a booming sitcom industry to pull from, and young actors rarely get screen experience here. But our directors, Traian Stoianov and Ruslan Gâlcă, did a great job finding charismatic talent. I hope viewers enjoy what we’ve assembled.
How do you hope this series will influence perceptions of political propaganda in Moldova?
I hope viewers recognize the tactics, laugh at the ridiculousness, and start asking more questions when the next perfect campaign poster shows up. And maybe — just maybe — a few politicians will realize how ridiculous they already look, even without our help.
Do you plan to distribute the series outside of Moldova as well? Is there interest from international platforms or festivals?
We’d love to. Satire is universal, especially when it’s about power, spin, and ambition. Moldova might be the stage, but the script could fit anywhere from Brussels to Brooklyn. We’re open to festivals and platforms that enjoy a good laugh — and a hard truth.