On the occasion of MIPDOC/MIPTV 2019, ZED continues to make history programming a central element of its catalog and announces the launch of two new documentary series.
Produced by Tohubohu and Slug News for France Télévisions, Iraq, Destruction of a Nation (Iraq, Destruction d’une Nation) is an ambitious 4×52’ series that will tell the entire story that led Iraq to chaos, thanks to some exclusive access and recently declassified documents. From the very first days of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980 to the war in 2003 and the fall of Daesh in 2017, this geopolitical thriller will retrace the destruction of Iraq over the past 40 years. Through the testimonies of some key figures – high ranked politicians, historians, civilians – the downfall of Iraq will be entirely told for the first time. Directed by Jean-Pierre Canet, it will be delivered in November 2020.
“This event-series will throw a fresh light on a tragedy that reshaped the world we live in. This is one of our flagship factual programs, whose editorial rigor matches perfectly with the growing demand for historical documentaries,” said Chloé Persyn-Preljocaj, Head of International Distribution at ZED.
https://www.zed.fr/en/tv/distribution/catalogue/programme/iraq-destruction-of-a-nation?media=2917
ZED also comes to MIPTV with the brand-new series produced by Indigènes Productions (The Aces’ War, Napoleon, the Egyptian Campaign, For Athens, The Destiny of Rome…) for RMC Découverte: Megapolis, the Ancient World Revealed.
Directed by Fabrice Hourlier, this 4×52’ compelling series (available in Spring 2020) will bring back to life the greatest ancient cities – Athens, Alexandria, Tikal and Rome – at the height of their powers, from the 5th century BC to the Roman Empire.
Combining stunning CGI reconstructions with contemporary footage of the vestiges of these sites, and with the contribution of renowned experts, it will shed a new light on these architectural treasures and lost civilizations that laid the foundations of our modern world.
ZED will also present the currently in production film by Gérard Puechmorel The Night of the Long Knives: Hitler’s First Crime produced by Les Films en Vrac for ARTE France. This 52’ & 90’ one-off will lift the lid on a major turning point in the history of Nazi Germany, through the historical reconstruction of the three nights that marked Hitler’s final steps to absolute power. It will be delivered in early 2020.
Among its upcoming films is ZED’s first drama production To Kill a Queen (produced with ARTE France and Be-FILMS), which tells the story of the rigged trial of Marie Antoinette. A 110’ 4K standalone written by Marie Noëlle Himbert and Yann Le Gal, directed by Alain Brunard, the film will be accompanied by a 52-minute docudrama slated for completion within three months.
