Yellow Bird & ARTE Team for A Life’s Worth

Banijay Nordic’s Yellow Bird has partnered with ARTE France for A Life’s Worth, inspired by real events during the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s.

The six-episode series will follow a group of Swedish UN soldiers as they embark on a mission to bring peace to fractured Bosnia. It will delve into the lives of those who voluntarily ventured into the heart of the conflict, some driven by duty and others by the prospect of adventure.

The cast includes Edvin Ryding, Maxwell Cunningham, Erik Enge, Johan Rheborg, Toni Prince, Lazar Dragojevic, Ivana Roscic, Alena Dzebo and Alban Ukaj.

A Life’s Worth is co-written by Mona Masri (Easy Money, Copenhagen Cowboy) and Oliver Dixon, with Ahmed Abdullahi (Top Dog) as director. The script is inspired by the novel A Life’s Worth by Magnus Ernström. It is backed by funds from Creative Europe Media and Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Viaplay Content Distribution will handle global sales of the drama.

“A Life’s Worth offers an intimate portrayal of the challenges faced by those in the crossfire of combat,” said Maida Krak, producer for Yellow Bird. “Inspired by actual events, it is one of the most courageous series we have produced, depicting the Swedish UN troops amidst an alarming conflict, while also delving into the dynamics of friendship and love in a powerless existence. These themes are a powerful testament to resilience, which, more than ever, resonate today.”

“This is a story that needs to be widely told, especially as it serves as a poignant reminder of how fragile our European continent can be,” noted Alexandre Piel, head of drama at ARTE. “Against the backdrop of conflict, the infinite strength of the human spirit shines through, echoing profoundly with recent world events, now more than ever. Here at ARTE, we are committed to bringing thought-provoking content to our audiences, and this co-production underscores the importance we place on sharing strong narratives.”

Vanda Rapti, executive VP of Viaplay Select and content distribution at Viaplay, added, “A Life’s Worth has so many qualities and brings a perspective on very important and complex topics. Many will feel represented and engaged, and this powerful story will be attractive to viewers around the world, especially in Europe, where this conflict has been so fresh and directly and indirectly impacted many countries. We are proud to bring this amazing story to our Viaplay Select partners, as well as broadcasters and streamers around the world.”