ZDF Studios Boards WildBear’s Fatal Conflicts

ZDF and ARTE have boarded WildBear Entertainment’s Fatal Conflicts, with ZDF Studios to distribute the series internationally.

“Fatal Conflicts not only provides brilliant new insights to pivotal moments and key players in ancient history, but its production approach will also transport viewers right into the heart of the action, making it a compelling watch and giving a unique understanding of the geopolitics of the time,” said Peter Allenbacher, senior editor from ZDF/ARTE.

“A new approach will be that in each show, either side is given equal weight to give audiences worldwide the opportunity to judge by themselves and thereby participate in the thrilling narrative,” he added.

The series, available in 2×90 or 4×60 formats, explores two cataclysmic wars, both turning points in antiquity that had repercussions that echo throughout the modern era.

The first film/set of episodes, Xerxes v Themistocles, covers the Second Greco-Persian War. It details a clash between different ideologies and systems of governance, where democracy is pitted against authoritarianism in a war for the future of Europe.

The second film/set of episodes, Hannibal v Scipio, explores the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage. At the heart of the conflict were Scipio Aemilianus of Rome and Hannibal Barca of Carthage. The battles they fought are among the most famous of all time, razing cities, eradicating kingdoms and creating benchmarks for cruelty, death and tactical ingenuity that have rarely been matched since.

Fatal Conflicts is directed by Nik Wansbrough and executive produced by WildBear’s Craig Meade. It uses a mixed-media approach, incorporating re-creations, premium footage, animations and detailed dynamic landscape and battle maps created by WildBear Entertainment’s growing design and VFX studio. The series also features international historians, who lay the narrative foundation for each story, offering differing opinions and interpretations of ancient source materials.

“We are delighted to be able to add another gem to our sales catalog,” commented Nikolas Huelbusch, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios. “Our international clients will certainly appreciate Fatal Conflicts as much as the other WildBear Entertainment documentaries that we are already distributing.”

Michael Tear, CEO at WildBear Entertainment, added, “With Fatal Conflicts, Craig, Nik and the wider team are creating a truly standout new history series, and I am proud that ZDF/ARTE, a broadcaster known for its focus on premium factual content and excellent, rigorous storytelling, is our co-production partner. The decision for ZDF Studios to distribute is a further endorsement for this title and confirms its appeal for the international marketplace.”