Production house Fox International Channels Inc. and director Peter Landesman will produce in the US a format of Keshet International Ltd., "Shkufim", developed by Amit Cohen-Raab and Maria Feldman. Keshet will be the joint producer. The format was sold even before it was aired in Israel. Channel 2 has scheduled it for 2014.
"Shkufim" is loosely based on the killing in Dubai of a senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. It involves eight ordinary Israelis who wake up one morning and discover that their names, faces, and personal details have been splashed across the world's media on suspicion of involvement in an international crime. What begins as an apparent case of mistaken identity, escalates into a psychological espionage drama. The Fox series, to be called "False Flag", will use Americans.
Cohen-Raab co-wrote with Ron Leshem the espionage format "The Gordin Cell", the rights of which were sold to NBC as "Mice".
Fox International Channels is a unit of 21st Century Fox Inc. Keshet developed the format "Hatufim" ("Prisoners of War"), which formed the basis of the US series "Homeland".
"The pedigree and passion of FIC and Keshet make them the perfect creative partners. The espionage thriller is a genre we all know, love and are excited to take to a level we hope audiences will not have experienced before," said Landesman."
Keshet International managing director Alon Shtruzman said, "Fox International Channels brings innovative production models and a global presence with hundreds of channels worldwide. It is without question, a natural partner for the project. We have a team with Sharon Tal and Peter Landesman that is ready to bring the fascinating story of 'False Flag' to the US."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 2, 2013
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