Borrowing its name from UK singer/lyricist Morrissey’s famous first solo album, Viva Hate is also the name of the rock band set up by the main protagonist, the uncompromising Daniel who dreams of making it big and only cares about his fellow rock musicians, until he meets the equally opinionated feminist Fanny. At the same time, he tries not to fall into crime like his brother. “The series is about love and finding out who you really are,” explains Anagram producer Martin Persson. “Peter Birro played an active role in Göteborg’s music scene in the 1990s, so he has been inspired by his own experience, although the show is pure fiction.”
Norwegian director Jens Lien whose’ music film Sons of Norway explored similar themes, says he was immediately taken by the quality, rawness and humour of Birro’s script. “There is an incredible energetic feel and pace to the story, he told nordiskfilmogtvfond.com. It’s a drama with an original twist, about a young desperate soul who discovers the meaning and purity of love.”
Viva Hate will be the director of The Bothersome Man’s first TV series. Casting is underway and should be announced late November, however key Norwegian crew members already attached comprise editor Vidar Flataukan (90 Minutes, Sons of Norway) and cinematographer Philip Øgaard (Kitchen Stories, Nord). As for the soundtrack, it will be packed with music from The Smiths, The Cure and The Cult.
The Anagram production is co-produced by Norway’s Filmhuset, SVT, Film i Väst, with co-financing from YLE. The premiere on the Swedish pubcaster is scheduled for the end of 2014.