STUDIOCANAL, Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of TV series and feature films, has sold two new thrillers from Benelux based on real-life events to a line-up of territories at MIP-TV. 

Thriller The Crash which covers the story of one of the most controversial aviation disasters and biggest cover-ups in Dutch history, has been acquired by SBS Australia, CANAL+ France, Disney+ Belgium, BeTv Belgium, MagentaTV / Telekom Germany, Free TV Israel, Cellcom Israel, RTP Portugal and Cosmo Spain.  The 5 x 1 hour drama is a Big Blue production for NPO1/KRO-NCRV, and is created and written by Michael Leendertse (Turbulent Skies), directed by Lourens Blok (Boy 7), co-directed by Edson Da Conceicao (De Sterfshow) and produced by Fleur Winters (Heirs of the Night).   

October 4th, 1992, 18:36. A Boeing 747 flying to Tel Aviv crashes into two jam-packed residential high-rises in the suburbs of Amsterdam, with devastating consequences. The Dutch government soon claims the airplane only carried perfume, flowers and computer parts. Almost everyone takes the official accounts of the disaster at their word, going back to business as usual. But as people begin to fall ill and presented facts don’t appear to add up, some residents and aid workers are left with questions… 

Crime thriller 1985, the first drama to be commissioned by two Belgian public broadcasters, VRT and RTBF, is produced by leading Belgian producer Eyeworks.   The 8 x 52’ series, written by Willem Wallyn, directed by Wouter Bouvijn and produced by Peter Bouckaert, has been acquired by SBS Australia, CANAL+ France, Free TV Israel, Filmin Portugal and Spain, TG4 in Ireland and CANAL+ Czech Republic & Slovakia.

Set against the backdrop of Belgium’s most notorious unsolved crime spree, 1985 begins as three friends – Vicky, her brother Franky and his best friend Marc – begin a new chapter in their lives, when they set off from their hometown to Brussels.  But as their adulthood and careers in the big city commence, the trio risks losing their innocence and noble illusions, as they find themselves caught up in the middle of the horrifying events that shocked a generation and will come to leave a scar on the entire country. 

Beatriz Campos, SVP Global Sales and Production Financing STUDIOCANAL, says, “The shocking true events behind these two highly captivating dramas shook a nation which is still reeling from the events today. They are incredible real life stories that have been extremely well adapted to the screen and will resonate with a wider world. The performances, clever narratives, impressive special effects and premium look have been very well received and we are proud to continue selling these shows worldwide.”