Fact File: Dangerous Truth

OneGate Media CEO Tania Reichert-Facilides and Bravado chief Eric Welbers share the key details of this German political thriller inspired by true events surrounding the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Inspired by true events leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Das zweite Attentat (Dangerous Truth) centres on Alexander Jaromin, who for 20 years has been living with his mother in Athens under assumed identities in the witness protection programme of the Federal Criminal Police Office.

Alexander’s father and sister were killed in an attack in 2003, and his memories of them are overshadowed by unanswered questions. When his mother passes, she leaves behind pictures and a video that indicate there is more to uncover about their deaths. Tormented by the unknown, Alexander’s desperate search for the truth takes him to Berlin. There, he finds himself under the close watch of the intelligence service, with his life in danger as he ends up in a race against time to uncover what happened to his father and sister.

Starring Noah Saavedra (Spectre) as Alexander, the show’s cast also includes Desirée Nosbusch (Bad Banks) and Jakob Diehl (All Quiet on the Western Front). The spy thriller, which was filmed across Greece, Germany and Luxembourg, is directed by Barbara Eder (The Swarm).

Here, Tania Reichert-Facilides, CEO of series distributor OneGate Media, and Eric Welbers, CEO of Bravado, outline six key elements of the show, which was produced for Germany’s ARD.

Dramatising true events
Dangerous Truth takes audiences back to the tumultuous international landscape of the early 2000s to expose the complex undercover investigations at play in the run-up to the Iraq invasion. Exploring this backdrop of state-sponsored conspiracies that affected millions of people on a global scale and remain some of the most significant world events to date, it reflects the real personal toll of these conflicts through the character of Alexander. His journey explores the human experience in the midst of these international conflicts and the ethical dilemmas that defined this era, and remain relevant in today’s world.

Finding a story with international appeal
The Iraq War, which is the context behind this series’ crucial narrative, acts as a backdrop to explore themes of power struggles, global conflicts and political friction. These are topics that resound with audiences around the world, exploring the influence of major international events on personal lives. Alongside these political themes, Dangerous Truth uncovers the emotional journey of family tragedy. The series follows Alexander’s personal journey to uncover the truth about his family, adding another human element to the story that global audiences can connect with.

Exploring the importance of family ties
The series details how Alexander has lived most of his adult life with unanswered questions about who his family were and why his father was killed. His deep-rooted feelings about his father and sister are what drives his quest for justice, and his connection to them dictates Alexander’s life and his resilience against the power of the Federal Intelligence Service.
Furthermore, Alexander discovers how deeply his own identity is tied to his family’s history, even decades after his father and sister’s deaths. He isn’t able to move on without knowing what happened to his family, reinforcing the intense bond one can have with family and the lasting effect the past can have.

Blending high-stakes action with emotional depth
Dangerous Truth combines the high stakes of the political climate in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq with the pain of loss and importance of family ties. Alexander is thrust into a dangerous investigation to uncover the truth about the killings, which are tied to national and international corruption. Dramatic confrontations with political adversaries and life-threatening situations are balanced with reflective character development, where Alexander reflects on his own grief and the emotional weight of the loss of his family members and living in secrecy for the majority of his life. The tension between the personal and political worlds intensifies the drama.

Backdrop of Greece, Germany and Luxembourg
Filming for the series took place across Greece, Germany and Luxembourg. Each territory’s atmosphere, landscapes and diversity helped shape the narrative. For example, the episode Bagdad was filmed in Greece for particular scenes portraying a flashback in Iraq. Further to this, the varying locations tap into cross-border themes and international relations that are core to the context of the series. The varying locations emphasise the global nature of the show and underscore topics of globalisation, also restating the series’ appeal to global audiences.

Collaboration
Dangerous Truth is the product of a collaboration between OneGate Media, Bravado and Eikon Media. This cross-industry collaboration combines incredible storytellers with an innovative global financing approach enabling high production values. It has led to the creation of a series that not only excels in its narrative but also taps into broader cultural and commercial dynamics. All three parties have brought diverse skills and strengths to the project, broadening its global appeal.

tagged in: ARD, Bravado, Dangerous Truth, Eikon Media, Eric Welbers, OneGate Media, Tania Reichert-Facilides