ZDF-Enterprises

Documentary commemorates the 40th anniversary of a terrorist massacre

Mainz, 22nd February 2012

In September 2012, the world will be commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Palestinian attack on the 1972 Munich Olympics, which some call the birth of international terrorism as we know it today. ZDF Enterprises, the sales, distribution and production arm of Germany’s ZDF, offers broadcasters a new, HD, 90-minute documentary by Sebastian Dehnhardt on this massacre perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists, which left altogether 17 people dead, including eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team.

Thanks to important and recently uncovered eyewitness reports, the program takes an in-depth look not only into the tragic events of 5 September 1972 but also into their aftermath and political ramifications. This includes the aircraft hijacking and shocking release of the three Munich terrorists of 29 October 1972, the Mossad revenge operations spanning more than a decade, and the role played by Communist East Germany.

Former members of the Israeli Olympic team speak about the events they experienced, and statements by Israeli and German authorities provide a nuanced look at the unfolding of the tragedy. High-ranking Palestinian, Israeli and German interview partners, such as Ehud Barak, describe their personal views and former terrorist Abu Daoud, the mastermind behind the Munich massacre, was interviewed for this film in a secret location.

Finally, thriller-worthy re-enactments convey a precise and nightmarish picture of the dramatic events that were captured by no camera in 1972.

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About ZDF Enterprises
Founded in 1993, ZDF Enterprises GmbH is the wholly-owned subsidiary and commercial arm of ZDF German Television Network, one of Europe's largest and most respected broadcasters. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, ZDF Enterprises is responsible for the development, production and global distribution of quality original programming. The company is also responsible for all program acquisitions and international co-productions on behalf of the network, and acquires programming for world-wide distribution. Its vast program library ranks as the largest in the German language. The extensive catalogue includes television movies and mini-series, drama series and comedies, documentaries, family entertainment and children's programming. ZDF Enterprises also oversees all licensing and merchandising activities based on its high-profile programs, including book and music publishing and the licensing of its program properties in all key product categories. Committed to the future, ZDF Enterprises has embarked on numerous New Media initiatives, ranging from opportunities within the burgeoning e-commerce industry to the creation of themed edutainment dimensions featuring the recognized program brands with which ZDF has become synonymous.

Contact ZDF Enterprises
Christine Denilauler (Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications), Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, tel.: +49 6131-9911130, fax: +49 6131-9912130, e-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-enterprises.de, www.zdf-enterprises.de.