L.A. and Oslo-based Gutto co-directed the first season of Netflix’s Norwegian Original series Home for Christmas and makes her directorial debut with Paradise Highway, based on her own original script.

In the starring roles are Juliette Binoche as a truck driver, forced to smuggle illegal cargo content to save her brother Dennis (Frank Grillo) who is getting deadly threats in prison. With FBI Agent Gerick (Morgan Freeman) chasing her every step, Sally’s motivations and conscience are challenged when the cargo turns out to be a teenage girl (Hala Finley).

Norwegian talent behind the scenes include multi-awarded cinematographer John Christian Rosenlund (The Emigrants, The King’s Choice, O’Horten) and editor Christian Siebenherz (The North Sea, The Wave). The film was shot last summer in Mississippi.

Lionsgate will handle the US distribution and global sales; ZDF the local distribution in Germany.

Gutto is repped by Stockholm-based Albatros Agency.