True-life HBO & Keshet co-production to film in Israel

American cable network HBO will co-produce a new true-life drama series that will film on location in Israel next summer.

By Nick Goundry 6 Oct 2016

True-life HBO & Keshet co-production to film in Israel
Jersualem

American cable network HBO will co-produce a new true-life drama series that will film on location in Israel next summer.

The ten-episode series does not yet have a title but will be produced by HBO and Keshet Studios, a division of Keshet International.

Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar will be the main director, telling the true story of the extensive investigation that followed the disappearance of three Israeli teenagers while hiking in the West Bank in 2014.

“We are thrilled to partner with HBO, the ultimate quality TV powerhouse, and to bring together Israel’s finest in TV and film, led by Hagai Levi, Noah Stollman (the series creators) and Joseph Cedar,” said Avi Nir, CEO of Keshet Media Group.

“We are all ready for the challenging journey on which this extraordinary story will take us.”

Israel is yet to develop a reputation as an international filming hub, although its production profile has risen in recent years.

In 2013 the USA Network’s short-lived drama Dig was set to become the first American series to film entirely in Israel, and FX’s Tyrant followed, but both shows ended up relocating when renewed violence flared between Israel and Gaza.

American terrorism drama Homeland was originally adapted from an Israeli show – the country has had particular success exporting formats – and the US version of the series doubled Israel for Iran and Lebanon for episodes in its early seasons.

Israel retains co-production agreements with many countries around the world. The nation made a deal with the New Zealand Film Commission earlier this year that enables shoots from Israel and New Zealand to benefit from each country’s financial support programmes.

For more on filming in Israel see our production guide.

Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar will be the main director, telling the true story of the extensive investigation that followed the disappearance of three Israeli teenagers while hiking in the West Bank in 2014.

“We are thrilled to partner with HBO, the ultimate quality TV powerhouse, and to bring together Israel’s finest in TV and film, led by Hagai Levi, Noah Stollman (the series creators) and Joseph Cedar,” said Avi Nir, CEO of Keshet Media Group.

“We are all ready for the challenging journey on which this extraordinary story will take us.”

Israel is yet to develop a reputation as an international filming hub, although its production profile has risen in recent years.

In 2013 the USA Network’s short-lived drama Dig was set to become the first American series to film entirely in Israel, and FX’s Tyrant followed, but both shows ended up relocating when renewed violence flared between Israel and Gaza.

American terrorism drama Homeland was originally adapted from an Israeli show – the country has had particular success exporting formats – and the US version of the series doubled Israel for Iran and Lebanon for episodes in its early seasons.

Israel retains co-production agreements with many countries around the world. The nation made a deal with the New Zealand Film Commission earlier this year that enables shoots from Israel and New Zealand to benefit from each country’s financial support programmes.

For more on filming in Israel see our production guide.

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