Keshet International: experiencing an ‘exciting peak’

Prensario interviewed the new KI VP of Sales, Fleur Wheatley, who explained: ‘This year, our production companies and studios are experiencing an exciting peak. Keshet UK produced Suspicion, the international adaptation of False Flag starring Uma Thurman for Apple TV+, and co-produced The A Word, the spin-off Ralph & Katie for BBC One, which we are launching at MIPCOM’. Meanwhile, Keshet Studios is busy with the upcoming Echo3, Mark Boal’s adaptation of When Heroes Fly, also for Apple TV+, alongside A Small Light for Disney+ and Nat Geo, plus The Calling (Peacock) and S2 of La Brea (NBC), which are co-produced with Universal Television. 

 

Based in London, the executive described the moment as ‘exhilarating’. She is responsible for leading KI's sales activities in the USA, Canada, the UK, the Nordics, as well as global and regional SVODs and channels. ‘In my previous roles, I’ve gained a wealth of experience working with factual content, so I’m looking forward to working with KI’s growing English-language catalogue, particularly in relation to AVOD and FAST channels’, she added. 

 

Wheatley is also excited to be back in the formats’ game and think now is a really great time to relaunch some of those familiar and nostalgic formats that bring people together. ‘The world is open again, people want to do business face to face and I’m looking forward to working with familiar faces and new clients in this new role’, she completed. 

 

The international celebrity true crime story My Name is Reeva: I was Murdered by Oscar Pistorius

 

At MIPCOM the company is launching My Name is Reeva: I was Murdered by Oscar Pistorius. ‘Its an international celebrity true crime story that resonates with everyone, young and old, on so many different levels and I know this three-part docuseries is going to be of interest to clients looking for that conversation starter piece’.

 

Another big launch is Cuba Libre, a vibrant and sensual biopic set in Cuba against the political backdrop of the Cuban missile crisis. It’s the compelling true story of Annie, a young Portuguese woman who gave everything to the Cuban revolution and Che Guevara, and the stunning actress who plays her, Beatriz Godinho, is utterly captivating to watch.

 

Hop! Film’s (Portugal) Cuba Libre is a vibrant and sensual biopic

 

As is I Do, But with Who is KI new format from Rockerdale (UK), which has just been ordered by Keshet 12 in Israel. It is so much fun, trying to guess who is marrying who, and the ‘finding your true love’ theme is so universal I think this format could really travel. ‘A personal favorite is Ralph & Katie, a truly inclusive drama that follows two young newlyweds with Down’s Syndrome as they deal with the same challenges that every newly married couple faces when moving in together. It is warm, it is funny, it will make you laugh and cry and I’m so incredibly proud to be representing it’, remarked Wheatley.

 

KI is launching Family Dinner Date both as a format and finished tape. It’s refreshingly human and removes the, sometimes nasty, reality hand of the producer from the traditional dating reality formats. In this format one celebrity invites two pre-selected potential dates to their home for a dinner party... the catch is all their friends and family are there to provide a running commentary. It’s utterly charming and reminds us that, ultimately, we are all the same and all have the same insecurities... celebrity or not. 

 

‘With the squeeze on drama budgets and the rising cost of talent (script writers and developers are increasingly expensive and unavailable), there is a growing appetite for formats, so am thrilled with I Do, But With Who, Question Team and Family Dinner Dates. Killer Camp is generating traction for us too, with a recent order of this horror-themed reality competition format in the Netherlands from Amazon Prime, and live options in Italy and France’. 

True crime continues to be an ever-popular genre: ‘We've now got 140 hours of World’s Most Evil Killers. Stories that divide opinion, stories that get audiences talking. Aspirational series like Billionaire Resorts, which shows in glorious technicolor that there is no limit to the decadence, opulence, and sheer luxury that extreme wealth can buy, are in demand too’, she said.

 

A compelling local story: Summer of Sorrow from Rabbit Film’s (Finland)

 

Wheatley: ‘We love working with local language dramas – finding compelling local stories, like Rabbit Film’s (Finland) Summer of Sorrow and Hop! Film’s (Portugal) Cuba Libre, as well as bringing them to the attention of audiences around the globe. Highlighted Keshet dramas coming out of Israel are A Body that Works and stars A-list Israeli talent, including Rotem Sela, Yehuda Levi and Lior Raz’.

 

The company global drama division has numerous co-productions at various stages, including Rough Diamonds, an eight-part crime drama KI has co-produced with De Mensen for Netflix. ‘Set in the diamond-dealing district of Antwerp with an orthodox Jewish family at its centre, it’s a great example of a successful creative collaboration between two very different cultures’, concluded the executive.