German Historical Docu-Drama ‘Nuremberg 45’ Hits International Market
EXCLUSIVE: An historical docu-drama about the Nuremberg trials for German pubcaster ARD is set for launch on the international market. OneGate Media, the sales subsidiary of the ARD/NDR network, has picked up global rights to Nuremberg 45, a 90-minute single that will debut in Germany later this year. According to producers, the doc combines fictional scenes, original archive footage and contemporary interviews to tell the story of the post-World War II trials carried out by Allied forces against members of the defeated Nazi Germany. The story will be seen through the eyes of two young Holocaust survivors – Ernst Michel, who is driven by the loss of his parents and friends and returns alone to witness justice as a court reporter, and Seweryna Szmaglewska, who testified as one of the very first survivors. The Nuremberg trials not only brought several architects of Nazi atrocities to justice, but also laid the foundations for modern global justice system and the International Criminal Court. Zeitsprung Pictures and Spiegel TV are the co-producers.
Senior U.S. Hire For Whisper
The Whisper Group, the London-based sports and unscripted production house, has made a senior hires in the states. Lizzie Narey has appointed Director of Production – Docs, Branded and Entertainment, joining from Imagine Documentaries. Her U.S.-focused role will see her develop Whisper’s in-market presence and oversee sports production, documentaries, branded content and entertainment there. “Whisper’s global multi-genre ambitions and strategy need to be matched by the quality of people we can attract and retain,” said Sunil Patel, Whisper co-founder and CEO. “It’s great news that someone of the standing and calibre as Lizzie is joining us as we look to expand our work in the U.S. and keep growing the business in new markets. Lizzie has a brilliant reputation and brings an excellent network.” Elsewhere, Jamie McIntosh has been promoted to Director of Production – Sport, Digital and Esports. Whisper produces numerous live sporting events and creates content for the likes of Formula One racing, the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. On the docs front, the Sony Pictures Television-backed biz makes the likes of Ben Stokes: Phoenix From The Ashes and Sven and has produced unscripted shows including Pictionary, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune in the UK.
Nat Geo Pre-Buys Big Media‘s ‘Danger Decoded’
Nat Geo has pre-emptively acquired U.S. rights to Danger Decoded, an eight-part series that highlights the world’s most perilous places. The show – a co-production between Big Media, NTV, RMC Story, and Wildbear – seeks to understand what makes them so dangerous. Big Media is selling the show, which is in the same vein as Destruction Decoded – on the international market. The New York-based producer-distributor has struck several other deals, including attaching Canada’s Blue Ant and Nat Geo in the CEE region to six-part series Fatal Engineering, which is currently in production. Nat Geo CEE has also acquired extreme weather series Fatal Forecast and miniseries Hitler’s Gold. Elsewhere, Italian pubcaster RAI has acquired Season 1 of Destruction Decoded. Danger Decoded and Fatal Engineering are both expected to deliver in Q3.
