What attracted you to the story of The Orange Girl?
I read the book and was fascinated by the beautiful, almost mythical love story, enclosed in a father-son dialogue across the border of life and death, which gives the book a very clear existential perspective.
What were the biggest difficulties with the book adaptation?The novel is built around a boy reading a letter from his dead father. We had to invent a new story for the film's present time level, and to interpret Gaarder's verbal mind games in moving pictures.
The film is co-produced with Germany (Tradewind Pictures) and Spain (Jaleo Films). How did you get them on board and what was their artistic share?
I found my Spanish partner in the Berlinale three years ago, and my German partner I knew from before. They have been part of the project from an early stage, and have contributed a lot. We shot in Seville and in the studios in Erfurt, and did most of the post-production in Germany.
What are the plans for the international distribution of the film?Sandrew Metronome, who are also a co-producer, has Scandinavian rights. The film will be released theatrically in Germany and Spain in the fall of 2009. Beta Cinema is handling sales in the rest of the world.
You've been involved in major European co-productions for the last 15 years or so (Breaking the Waves, I am Dina,). What is easier or harder today?
The European Co-Production Convention has surely made it easier - for those nations that signed it. Norway has not, so far, which created a lot of difficulties. We will sign in 2009, though.
Tell us about your ‘boutique' production outfit Helgeland. What makes you tick and what projects do you have in the pipeline?
I love good stories that get to me emotionally. I am working now with a German partner on a big project, part political thriller, part family melodrama, with roots back to the German occupation of Norway, and with the cold war and the division of Germany as a backdrop. I am also working with 4 1/2 in Norway and Vibeke Windeløw in Denmark on a film adaptation of Per Petterson's multi-awarded novel Out Stealing Horses, with Marius Holst set to direct.