KI has secured format and tape rights, with the show set to be formally launched at the London TV Screenings next week.
Keshet International (KI) has inked a deal to secure worldwide distribution rights for the political thriller Conflict, produced by Backmann & Hoderhoff and XZY Films, for its Spring 2024 slate.
Featuring an international ensemble cast including Peter Franzén, Dylan Smith, Nadia Forde, Sara Soulié, and Larry Lamb, Conflict unfolds as a 6×60’ military and political thriller, delving into a surprise attack on a neutral country by an unidentified enemy force with the aim of instigating a broader conflict.
Set against the backdrop of a picturesque Finnish peninsula, the series follows a military unit of conscripts as they wrap up their training on Midsummer’s Eve, only to face an unexpected invasion by an unidentified enemy. With foreign nationals among the 10,000 people held hostage in the occupied area, Finland’s newly elected President, President Saaristo, grapples with pressure from the US President and other allies to take decisive action. As the threat of a proxy war looms, President Saaristo must navigate a perilous path to ensure the safety of her people and prevent the escalation of conflict into Europe and beyond.
Anke Stoll, KI’s SVP of Acquisitions and Co-productions, said: “Conflict immediately stood out from the crowd because of the way it builds tension and suspense throughout to immerse the audience in the personal dramas unfolding on screen. It has a cinematic scale and quality that will impress international audiences.”
Co-creator Andrei Alén added: “With this series, Aku and I were interested in exploring the human side of a potentially world-changing event like this – ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances as the conflict escalates from hour to hour.”
Co-creator and series director Aku Louhimies stated: “We’ve created two contrasting visual narratives and styles, setting the bright, colourful beauty of the Scandinavian midsummer against the darker, sinister events and the harsh new reality of a surprise proxy war depicted on screen. Our goal was authenticity, so everything shot, including the combat scenes, was done practically with very little CGI. It feels frighteningly real because it is.”
Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, commented: “We are so excited to be repping this title which has already generated significant buzz on the run-up to the London TV Screenings. It has everything buyers and viewers want right now: a ripped-from-the-headlines plot; a fantastic international cast and script, which is English dominant in a Narcos-style way; thrilling action sequences; strong, relatable female lead characters; and a faceless “enemy” who remains unknown throughout. Conflict plays on our worst fears about a proxy war escalating beyond Europe in an incredibly compelling plot.”
Co-created and produced by Andrei Alén and Aku Louhimies, Conflict is produced by Backmann & Hoderoff in association with XYZ Films, with support from Business Finland and the City of Hanko. The series will be officially launched at the London TV Screenings, accompanied by an exclusive Q&A screening featuring co-creators and producers Andrei Alén and Aku Louhimies as part of Keshet International’s Scripted Event on February 28.
