Swedish scripted company Yellow Bird, part of Banijay Nordic, today announces A Life’s Worth, a new co-production with Arte France and Viaplay Content Distribution, inspired by real events within the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s. Viaplay Content Distribution will be the global sales partner for the drama.
In the fall of 1993, amid the devastating turmoil unfurling in Bosnia, Swedish UN soldiers embarked on a perilous mission to bring peace to a fractured land. A Life’s Worth follows the journey of a group of young soldiers and their commander as they struggle with the complexities of war.
Led by an ensemble cast including Edvin Ryding as Strand, Maxwell Cunningham as Forss, Erik Enge as Kilpinen, Johan Rheborg as Colonel Andreasson and Toni Prince as Babic, A Life’s Worth delves into the lives of those who voluntarily ventured into the heart of conflict, some driven by duty, others by the prospect of adventure. Adding depth to the narrative is additional cast Lazar Dragojevic, Ivana Roscic, Alena Dzebo and Alban Ukaj, enriching the diverse experiences within the war-torn landscape.
Spanning six episodes, it is co-written by Mona Masri (Easy Money, Copengahgen Cowboy) and Oliver Dixon, and directed by Ahmed Abdullahi (Top Dog). The drama is backed with funds from Creative Europe Media and Nordisk Film & TV Fond, and is inspired by the novel A Life’s Worth by Magnus Ernström. Yellow Bird’s CEO Jakob Feeney serves as executive producer, with Maida Krak as producer.
Maida Krak, Producer for Yellow Bird says: “A Life’s Worth offers an intimate portrayal of the challenges faced by those in the crossfire of combat. 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.”
Alexandre Piel, Head of Drama, Arte says: “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. 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 commited to bringing thought-provoking content to our audiences and this co-production underscores the importance we place on sharing strong narratives.”
Vanda Rapti, EVP Viaplay Select & Content Distribution says: “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.”
Led by Jakob Feeney, Yellow Bird credits include a TV drama prequel to Jo Nesbø’s highly acclaimed, fast-paced corporate thriller Headhunters for CMore, a third run of crime drama Bäckström, Netflix drama Playlist, as well as well-known hits Threesome and The Truth Will Out. Earlier successes include the Millennium Trilogy, Occupied, Rebecca Martinsson and over 30 Wallander films.