Global Screen negotiates Turbulent Skies

MIPTV: German distributor Global Screen has taken international rights to a period drama about the men who founded Dutch airline KLM despite personal differences and a mutual dislike.

The Munich-based sales house is here in Cannes shopping Turbulent Skies – Two Pioneers, One Dream to international buyers.

The 8×50’ drama is set in the 1920s and was inspired by the true story of engineer Anthony Fokker and family man Albert Plesman who joined forces to bring a vision of civil and commercial aviation to life.

The series, from producer Idse Grotenhuis, has a €7.9m (US$8.9m) production budget and features thousands of VFX shots to depict flying in the delicate aircraft of the time.

Topkapi Films is producting in coproduction with Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, partially funded by The NPO Fund and Dutch Film Fund.

The series comes from the producers of The Commune and Broken Circle Breakdown and is directed by multiple Dutch Film Award winner Joram Lürsen. It will start shooting in June.