The Scandinavian mega-project budgeted at NOK 80.5M (€7.9m) was just awarded NOK 3.5M (€345,000) in production support from the Norwegian Film Institute. 

Initially developed by SF Studios in Sweden, with Norwegian writer Petter Skavlan and production company Fantefilm, the film is now co-produced by SF Studios' owned Paradox, with Film i Väst and C More/TV4.
Co-writers Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig. Eliassen who collaborated earlier with Poppe on the multi-awarded U-July 22, have boarded the project. SF Studios’ SVP International Production Fredrik Wikström Nicastro is delegate producer. 

Poppe’s previous period piece – the humanistic drama The King’s Choice was a smash hit both at home and abroad, and was selected as Norway’s candidate at the 89th Academy Awards. 

Successfully brought to the screens by Jan Troell in 1971, The Emigrants tells the story of Kristina and her husband Karl-Oskar who emigrate from Sweden to America in the 1850s. Determined to flee poverty, religious persecution and social oppression, they head across the Atlantic in search of a better life.

Two other Norwegian co-productions received support from the Norwegian Film Institute.  

  • The Danish epic Margrete-Queen of the North directed by Charlotte Sieling (Homeland) for SF Studios Denmark, was granted NOK 1.1M (NOK 109,700) in production support from the NFI towards the film’s NOK 89.3M (€8.8M) budget. The film is co-produced by Norway’s experienced producers John M. Jacobsen and Ellen Alveberg of Filmkameratene.  Sieling said she will bring a modern twist to the story of Queen Margrete I of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, using the modern conflict of a woman in power having to cope with motherhood. 
  • The Swedish film The Opponent by Milad Alami (The Charmer) produced by Annika Rogell of Tangy Film, was granted NOK 2M (€197,000) towards the film’s NOK 19.4M (€2M) budget. Ruben Torkildsen of Norway’s Ape & Björn is co-producing. Set in a remote northern Swedish film, the film tells the riveting story of a secret love affair between a former Iranian Olympic wrestler and his teammate, which sets off violent repercussions for him and his family.