In its March round of production support Nordisk Film & TV Fond has awarded NOK 4.650.000 to two films and three documentaries. Klaus Härö’s King of Finland received the largest grant of NOK 2.2 million.
King of Finland produced by Risto Salomaa (Solar Films), reunites Finnish top director Härö with writer Anna Heinämaa (The Fencer). Loosely based on true events, the historical drama set in 1918 tells of German Prince of Hessen, Friedrich Karl, waiting to take the helm of the newly independent nation of Finland. He becomes friend to the young Ilmari who teaches him Finnish language and culture. Ultimately the two men’s aspirations and hopes will clash with history in motion.
Det Första fallet /The First Case (pictured-working title) produced by Lee Film was granted NOK 1.2 million. The Swedish 2D animated film directed by Linda Hambäck (Bajsfilmen) is based on the eponymous children’s book by Ulf Nilsson and Gitte Spee. It’s a classic Nordic noir story for kids, about a young clever mouse on a mission to save two children. Film Väst, SVT are co-producing. TriArt will release the film in October 2017.
The documentary Bergman produced by Sweden’s B-Reel Feature Film was granted NOK 500.000. Jane Magnusson, who directed the TV series Bergman’s Video and its feature film version Trespassing Bergman returns to her favorite source of inspiration. Producer Mattias Nohrborg said: “The ambition [of the film] is to find out who Bergman really was, to explore the mysteries behind the man who through his artistic work, affected a world wide audience.“ The film will include unique interviews with family members, close friends and collaborators, archive material never shown before and animations to fill the parts never documented.
Motlys Film in Norway is co-producing with SVT, Filmregion Stockholm-Mälardalen/Gotland, Reel Ventures. Svensk Filmindustri handles Scandinavian distribution and Match Factory world sales.
The film will be delivered in 2018 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Swedish master. A three-part TV series will also be available.
The Danish documentary Bobbi Jene produced by Sara Stockmann for Sonntag Pictures was granted NOK400.000. Director Elvira Lind makes an intimate portrayal of American ballet dancer Bobbi Jene who has to find her own creative voice after splitting from her life partner and choreographer. Sweden’s French Quarter is co-producing and handling Swedish distribution and world sales.
The Finnish documentary Hobbyhorse Revolution by the Academy-award nominated Selma Vilhunen was granted NOK 350.000. We follow three teenage girls with growing pains, who discover their own voice and talent through riding and grooming toy horses.
Sweden’s Bautafilm and YLE are co-producing. Cats & Docs handles world sales. Delivery date is set for December 2016.