Toolbox Film produces with support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

The film is based on the best-selling book Ser du månen Daniel (The ISIS hostage: one man’s true story of 13 months in captivity) by Puk Damgård, which sold more than 100,000 copies in Denmark and was published in a dozen territories. The story tells of real life Danish journalist Daniel Rye, held hostage by ISIS who shared his prison with several other journalists and aid workers, including US reporter James Foley. Rye survived and was freed in June 2014 against a ransom raised by his family, unlike Foley and six other prisoners.

Rye is played by Esben Smed (Follow the Money) and Anders W. Berthelsen is the security expert Arthur who had a pivotal role in Rye’s release. Co-stars include Sofie Torp (Greyzone), Sara Hjort (Below the Surface), Gjellerup Koch (All for Two) and Jens Jørn Spottag (Worlds Apart).

Niels Arden Oplev - who shares his time between the US and Denmark, said he was handed  Puk Damsgård’s book by his long time collaborator and friend Anders W. Berthelsen who stars in six of his films such as Worlds Apart and Speed Walking. Oplev told nordicfilmandtvnews.com: “The film follows the hostages’ lives in prison, but also the very interesting ex-military man known as Arthur, who is one of the world’s best negotiators in hostage crisis. Daniel’s family ask him to help them, but he has already been hired by the Foley family to bring out James. He soon realises that the two hostages are at the same place."

Oplev continues: “We also follow Daniel’s family in Denmark, as they raise the money for a ransom and try to hold on to their hopes. The elder sister in particular is remarkable, as she is faced with tough decisions. If the hostage negotiation story leaks to the media, it can put Daniel’s life at risk."

“It’s a very hopeful story, about ordinary good-hearted people who step up in extraordinary circumstances and become heroic.” Filming starts October 1st 2018 until January 2019, split between Trollhättan in Sweden, Aarhus in Denmark, Jordan and Canada. The DKK 41m (€5.5m) film is produced by Morten Kaufmann and Signe Leick Jensen of Toolbox Film, in co-production with Sweden’s Cinenic Film, Norway’s Hummelfilm, Denmark’s Deluca Film, Film i Väst, in association with DR, SVT, YLE, the West Danish Fund, support from the Danish Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, Norwegian Film Institute and Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Nordisk Film holds Scandinavian distribution rights. TrustNordisk handles sales.

The Danish release is set for September 19, 2019.