HBO and Keshet International Partner on New Drama Created by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, Tawfik Abu Wael & Noah Stollman

HBO and Keshet International (KI) are co-producing a drama based on true events which unfolded in Israel in 2014. HBO has given a ten-episode order for the untitled series, which is being filmed on location in Israel. The series is created by Hagai Levi ((Golden Globe for "The Affair"; HBO's "In Treatment"), Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar (the Oscar(R)-nominated "Beaufort," "Footnote," "Norman"), Tawfik Abu Wael ("Thirst," "Last Days in Jerusalem," "Waiting for Salah El Din") and Noah Stollman ("Pillars of Smoke," "The Exchange Principle"). Cedar and Abu Wael will also direct.

In the summer of 2014, three Jewish teenagers are kidnapped and murdered by Hamas militants. Israel is shocked, shaken and furious. Two days later, the burned body of a Palestinian teenager from eastern Jerusalem is found in a forest on the western outskirts of the city. In the ensuing days, an agent from the internal terror division of the Shin Bet investigates the murder, while the parents of the slain teenager begin their long and anguished journey toward justice and consolation.

The series, based on the true events which led to the outbreak of war in Gaza, follows the investigation of the Muhammad Abu Khdeir's murder. It tells the story of all those involved, Jews and Arabs alike, whose lives were forever changed by these events.

A co-production of KI's Keshet Studios and HBO, the show is being produced by Movie Plus and distributed internationally by KI. Executive producers are Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, Noah Stollman, Avi Nir (Keshet Media Group), Alon Shtruzman (Keshet International), Karni Ziv (Keshet Broadcasting), Peter Traugott and Rachel Kaplan (Keshet Studios) and Michael Lombardo.

Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming, says, "We're excited to work with Keshet and this extremely talented and creative group led by Hagai Levi. We look forward to sharing this important story with our subscribers."

Avi Nir, CEO, Keshet Media Group, adds, "We are thrilled to partner with HBO, the ultimate quality TV powerhouse, and to bring together the finest in TV and film, led by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, Tawfik Abu Wael and Noah Stollman. We are all ready for the challenging journey on which this extraordinary story will take us."

Hagai Levi comments, "HBO has always been a home to me. I'm so thrilled to work with them again, and regroup with my good friends from Keshet."

Levi, winner of a Golden Globe for co-creating "The Affair," is a writer, director and producer who also created and co-directed the highly acclaimed Israeli TV series "Be'Tipul" (2005-2008), adapted for HBO as "In Treatment." He was an executive producer of "In Treatment," which won a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmys(R) during its 2007-2010 run, and also directed several episodes of "Be'Tipul." Another 16 versions of "Be'Tipul" have been presented in such countries as Canada, Italy, Russia, The Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil and Japan.

ABOUT HBO

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world's most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services? - ?HBO(R) and Cinemax(R)? - ?to approximately 131 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the popular subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand(R) and CineMax On Demand(R), as well as HBO GO(R) and MAX GO(R), HD feeds and multiplex channels. HBO NOW(R), the network's internet-only premium streaming service, provides audiences with instant access to HBO's acclaimed programming in the U.S. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO and CineMax programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

ABOUT KESHET INTERNATIONAL

Keshet International is Keshet Media Group's global distribution and production arm. Headed by CEO Alon Shtruzman, it includes Keshet's local production outposts (Keshet UK, Keshet Asia and Keshet Studios in the US) as well as its global distribution arm. KI's catalogue consists of over 70 tried and tested properties that appeal to audiences worldwide, spanning all genres. Highlights include hit drama "Prisoners of War," the original Israeli version of Primetime Emmy(R) winner "Homeland"; gripping espionage thriller "False Flag"; touching family drama "The A Word"; the high octane game show "BOOM!"; hit interactive talent show "Rising Star" and children's talent show "Master Class; reality dating format "Girlfri3nds"; and "buddy comedy" "Traffic Light," winner of an International Emmy(R) Award.