In a competitive situation, global content producer and distributor Keshet International (KI) lands worldwide distribution rights to political thriller Conflict from producers Backmann & Hoderhoff and XZY Films for its Spring 2024 slate.  

Starring an international cast that includes Peter Franzén (Vikings, The Gunman, Purge), Dylan Smith (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Mazerunner: The Death Cure), Nadia Forde (Once Upon a Time in London), Sara Soulié (The Man Who Died) and Larry Lamb (Eastenders, Superman), Conflict is a 6×60’ compelling military and political thriller set inside a surprise attack of a neutral country by  an unidentified enemy force trying to provoke a wider conflict.     

As a military unit of conscripts completes its training on Midsummer’s Eve, an unidentified enemy invades the picturesque Finnish peninsula. With foreign nationals amongst the 10,000 people now held hostage in the occupied area, the US President and other allies urge Finland’s newly elected President to take decisive action. Faced with the very real threat of a proxy war, President Saaristo must follow her instincts and moral compass to not only secure the safety of her own people,  but also to prevent escalation into Europe and a global conflict. 

Anke Stoll, KI’s SVP of Acquisitions and Co-productions comments, “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 says, “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 adds, “We’ve created two contrasting visual narratives and styles, setting the bright, colorful beauty of the Scandinavian midsummer against the darker, sinister events and 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, says, “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 (Unknown Soldier, Rebellion, Inheritance), the multi-award-winning film director who also series directs this six-part series, Conflict is produced by Backmann & Hoderoff, in association with XYZ Films, with backing from Business Finland and the City of Hanko.  Nick Spicer, Aram Tertzakian, Maxime Cottay, and Marci Wiseman are executive producers for XYZ.  Keshet International is distributing both the 6×60’ series and format of Conflict on the global TV market.  

Keshet International will officially launch Conflict to market at the London TV Screenings with an exclusive Q&A screening featuring co-creators and producers Andrei Alén and Aku Louhimies as part of its Scripted Event on 28 February.