ZDF Studios to Distribute Two-Part Doc on Putin

The Godfather of St. Petersburg, a two-part documentary from Story House Productions for ZDF, will be distributed by ZDF Studios.

“This documentary is more than a historical account—it’s a deep dive into the forces that shaped modern Russia,” said Nikolas Hülbusch, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios. “With exclusive access and compelling storytelling, The Godfather of St. Petersburg uncovers the networks and decisions that propelled Vladimir Putin from local politics to global power. We are excited to bring this extraordinary series to international audiences.”

Currently in production, the series offers an unprecedented look into the origins of Vladimir Putin’s rise to power.

“With The Godfather of St. Petersburg, we aim to shed light on one of the most pivotal and least understood chapters in modern history,” said Jens Afflerbach, general manager and CEP at Story House Productions. “By combining exclusive documents, eyewitness accounts, and unprecedented access to Putin’s inner circle, this series reveals how a city in chaos became the cradle of a power structure that still shapes global politics today.”