EXCLUSIVE: Leviathan Productions has enlisted Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, creators of the hit Israeli series Fauda, to script October 7th, a narrative feature telling the harrowing true story of Noam Tibon.
A grandfather and retired Israeli general, Tibon garnered international attention when he rescued his family from the hands of Hamas terrorists who had invaded their kibbutz — with his story, capturing the Israeli spirit of resilience in the face of adversity.
Noam Tibon, the subject of Leviathan’s October 7th
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Ben Cosgrove will produce the film telling that story for Leviathan Productions, with Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs and Talia Harris Ram exec producing. Noam Tibon and his son, Amir Tibon, will serve as consultants on the project.
October 7, 2023 was of course the shocking and tragic day when Hamas launched a coordinated land, sea, and air assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in nearly 1,200 deaths, primarily of Israeli citizens. Marking the deadliest day for Israel since its independence, the day saw the country declare itself in a state of war for the first time since the Yom Kippur War in 1973, marking the beginning of a conflict that is ongoing.
“When faced with the horrors of that fateful day, Noam Tibon immediately charged into danger to protect his family,” said Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, whose Faraway Road Productions is part of Candle Media. “His gripping story – which transcends any religion, country, or conflict – beautifully reflects the sacrifices we are willing to make for those we love. We are proud to help amplify Noam’s bravery and to provide some hope and inspiration during these difficult times.”
Issacharoff and Raz are best known for co-creating the hit political thriller series Fauda, which has aired four seasons on Israel’s Yes Oh since 2015. Starring Raz, and drawing on the duo’s experiences in the Israel Defense Forces, the series examines the human stories on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Over the course of its run, it’s won numerous accolades at both the Israeli Academy Awards and the Israeli TV Academy Awards, garnering international attention. Thus far, the duo have also partnered to create the series Ghosts of Beirut and Hit & Run for Showtime and Netflix, respectively.
Founded by veteran film producer Cosgrove and bestselling author Josh Foer, Leviathan Productions is an independent production company focused on acquiring and developing mass-market films and television content based on Jewish history, folklore, and literature, as well as stories about Israel. Most recently, the company acquired remake rights to the recent French thriller The Man in the Basement, also announcing a feature adaptation of Victoria Saker Woeste historical work, Henry Ford’s War on Jews and the Legal Battles Against Hate Speech.
Other previously announced Leviathan projects include adaptations of Leonard Slater’s book The Pledge, the novel The Secret Chord by Pulitzer Prize-winner Geraldine Brooks, and Anna Ziegler’s play Photograph 51, as well as a horror film inspired by the Golem legend, which they’ve tapped A Series of Unfortunate Events‘ Daniel Handler to script.
Issacharoff and Raz are represented by Artists First, UTA, and Ziffren Brittenham. Gary Barkin represented Leviathan Productions in the deal, with The Deborah Harris Agency repping Noam and Tibon alongside attorney Eric Feig.