Channel 4 and PBS co-commission Terror in the Desert (w/t)

Channel 4 and PBS have co-commissioned Nutopia and BAFTA award winning director Bruce Goodison to make Terror in the Desert (w/t) – a one-hour drama documentary special which details for the first time the real and full story behind the terrorist attack on the In Amenas gas facility in Algeria. 

Emmy-award winner Nutopia will use its renowned combination of drama and documentary in Terror in the Desert to tell the story of the terrorist siege which transfixed the world, through compelling first person interviews with hostage survivors and their families, many speaking on camera for the first time, and dramatic reconstruction of key events during the tense four days which were punctuated with gun battles and dramatic tales of escape and human bravery in the most desperate of conditions.

The film forensically examines the audacious storming of the gas plant which left a death toll of 37 foreign hostages from Britain, USA, France, Japan and Norway and the international response to the rapidly unfolding events.

Jane Root, CEO Nutopia says, “This is an extraordinary and tragic story which has been almost hidden from the world. We’re incredibly grateful that these brave men and women are going to collaborate with us to try and shine a light on what happened in the desert.”

Beth Hoppe, PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, said, “This documentary will portray a dramatic and important event in contemporary history from the perspectives those who lived it. We are proud to work with our talented partners help bring this compelling story to the American public.”

Director Bruce Goodison’s credits include BAFTA-winning Our War, critically acclaimed Bin Laden: Shoot to Kill and Emmy-nominated The Flight that Fought Back. Channel 4 Commissioning Editor is Daniel Pearl and executive producer for Nutopia is Nav Raman.

BBC Worldwide will distribute internationally.