Here's the new series 11 here, which made noise even before it was broadcast, exceptionally high quality and well utilized by the magnet of the Israeli-Iranian conflict.
Even before it went on air, the "Tehran" series of Here 11 grabbed the headlines when it was sold to Apple's streaming services in what has been defined as "one of the largest deals in the Israeli industry."
With this expression of confidence and a lot of public relations, the series went on air last night, offering a quality alternative to the reality TV and online overdose. It is self-evident that this is the function of a public channel, but these days the channel is particularly prominent in light of the excellent local productions that are emerging.
Apple's acquisition of the series can be understood. The reputation of the Israeli-Iranian conflict is a ratings magnet all over the world. Iran has been starring in the headlines for decades, and more recently in recent years. The Iranian threat and the Iranian nuclear have made Iran the ultimate evil of the world, and toward Israel in particular.
On the other hand, heroic operations by the Israeli institution, which include the elimination (allegedly, wink-wink) of senior officials and damage and delay in the Iranian nuclear program, have stirred our minds in their boldness and intelligence capabilities. If you will, this is a fight between the Israeli James Bond and Ali Khamenei.
Into this climate emerges "Tehran," a suspense drama and bion that tells of Tamar (Niv Sultan), a young institution of Persian origin and a gifted hacker in 8200, who is sent on a particularly adventurous mission in Tehran to assist an Israeli attack on nuclear facilities.
Unexpected failures in the mission lead to an Iranian hunt for her and questions of loyalty, personal identity and national identity. Alongside all of these, there is another element that comes back in quite a few Israeli series and is also prominent here - bringing the soldier / undercover / agent of the institution home from the enemy state - a motif that speaks to the capitals of emotion and increases empathy for the hero and his distress.
The production of "Tehran" is outstanding in its scope, accuracy and quality. It was filmed in Athens, and thanks to a meticulous design that goes down to the small details, it is compelling and looks incredibly Iranian.
The series speaks Persian, Hebrew and English and looks and sounds authentic. For the series, Iranian actors from around the world were cast. Alongside Israeli actors Menashe Noy, Liraz Czarechi and Esti Yerushalmi, stars Shaun Taub ("Iron Man", "Kite Chaser", "Homeland") and Nabid Naghavan ("Baba John", "Aladdin", "Homeland"), Both Hollywood stars and their casting seem to be asked in light of the result.
"Tehran" manages to hold the tension throughout the episodes: the ring tightening around Tamar, the Iranian intelligence that is a touch away from her, and her assistants who are also in constant danger, manage to captivate the screen and create anticipation for the next episodes. But despite all this goodness, not everything is perfect in "Tehran." There's something missing - call it sophistication.
The creator's cat and mouse game with the viewers, in which they make them think that you have a moment before catching but finally escape at the last second, happens too many times throughout the series. After the second time we realized the trick and the third time it was already too predictable.
"Tehran" opens with a double chapter that will introduce you to the atmosphere and story. It will take you to the streets of Tehran, the intelligence world and the quiet war between Iran and Israel's long arm. We don't see you getting sucked into that.