MIPTV: Keshet International catches attention with three Monster series from Norway

Besides the comedy Pørni, the far right-themed scripted show Furia, vying for the MipDrama Coup de Coeur, is being pitched alongside the docu series Surrounded by Enemies.

Showcased at this week’s online MIPTV conference and market, the three series are produced by Norway’s leading production group Monster.

Headlining Keshet International (KI)’s line-up is Furia (Fury), selected for the MipDrama platform. The tense crime thriller starring Ine Marie Willmann was produced by Monster Scripted and Germany’s X Filme for NENT Group’s streamer Viaplay and ZDF, with backing from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Speaking to nordicfilmandtvews.com, KI’s VP Sales Rose Hughes said her colleague Anke Stoll [VP Acquisitions and Co-productions] brought in Furia to KI’s slate at an early stage. “It’s a wonderful gritty thriller about an undercover operative who penetrates a far-right extremist terror cell-a kind of female version of Jason Bourne.”

First introduced to global buyers at last month’s London TV Screenings, the eight-part series created by international Emmy-award winner Gjermund S Eriksen has garnered strong interest, and several offers are pending, according to Hughes. The series is being marketed by KI as a companion piece to Monster Entertainment’s 6x60’ docu-series Surrounded by Enemies, another Viaplay order to be launched later this year.

The factual series co-directed by journalists Henrik Evertsson (Estonia: The Find That Changes Everything) and Jørn Norstøm investigates right-wing extremist groups from within the movements. “We’re in a unique situation to present to buyers two series dealing with the same topic, one which can be served with popcorn, and a gripping factual show co-directed by the award-winning Swedish journalist Henrik Evertsson who spent four years talking to far-right cell members,” explained Hughes. “Austrian researcher and author Julia Ebner who has infiltrated various terrorist groups around the world and who wrote Going Dark: the Secret Social Lives of Extremists, has served as consultant on both series and the Furia key cast & crew have read her inspiring books.”

In a totally different genre, the comedy drama Pørni created by and starring Henriette Steenstrup is also in negotiations with various buyers, following its first showcase at the Berlinale Series Market Selects and London TV Screenings. The 6x30’ Norwegian series ordered by Viaplay centres on a single mum to two daughters, one nephew and a dad who’s having a late life-crisis. “At Keshet we’re all in love with Pørni”, said Hughes. “She is a super woman, trying to juggle everything in life, with dignity and a sense of humour which is not easy! We’re thrilled that Viaplay has greenlit a second season and has shown great faith in the brand.” Pørni is set to premiere on Viaplay May 2.

Other new scripted series presented at this week’s MIPTV include Keshet12’s Israeli crime drama Line in the Sand from Fauda co-creators Rotem Shamir and Yuval Yefet, a German version of the Israeli black comedy Stockholm and the premium Serbian drama Grupa (The Group) commissioned by Serbia’s RTS, which premiered at Sarajevo’s Avant Premiere Gala programme.

Commenting on market trends, Hughes said she has seen a growing appetite from buyers for international content in the last year, triggered by a slowing down of English-language production, partly-due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the popularity of foreign language content on Netflix.

Hughes said KI has adapted to the virtual markets and on-going business under the pandemic. “We have to be flexible and fluid to make sure our shows get the best reach and visibility,” she said.