Norwegian quirky sci-fi comedy competes at Canneseries

The VFX character-driven series Magnus produced by Anders Tangen will have its international launch in Cannes after a positive run on NRK and rave reviews in Norway. “We’ve taken risks in putting the fun in a new direction and creating an unconventional show, with the backing of NRK,” Tangen told nordicfilmandtvnews.com. “As the only Nordic series selected at Canneseries, we feel extremely honoured and this is a recognition of the quality of our show."

Created by comedy actor Vidar Magnussen (Side by Side), the 6x30’ series tells of eccentric former police investigator Magnus (played by Magnussen) who goes undercover, using unconventional and absurd methods to investigate a young woman’s murder and the disappearance of her boyfriend, actor Robert Danielsen. Magnus’s side-kick is the suicidal and easily-swayed policeman Dan (Pål Rønning). Lilyhammer’s Geir Henning Hopland directs.

The series was shot both in a Norwegian version (shown at Canneseries) and an English version to hop over the remake option and open the international market to the cast and creator Magnussen. “With our previous shows Norsemen and One Night,” we’ve shown that the dual version works,” says Tangen who expects to close a global distribution deal within the next 8-10 days. A second season is in development. 

Canneseries’ other premium dramas selected are: 

• Bauhaus-a New Era (Germany, Netflix) 
• How to sell Drugs Online (Fast) (Germany, Kansai TV) 
• Junichi (Kansai TV, Japan) 
• Nehama (Israel, Hot Telecommunications Systems) 
• Perfect Life (Moviestar+, Spain) 
• Studio Tarara (VTM, Belgium) 
• The Feed (Amazon US/Liberty Global UK) 
• The Outbreak (TV3 Channel, Russia) 
• The Twelve (Eén, Belgium) 

This year’s official competition jury includes Showrunner Baran bo Odar, (Switzerland), actor/director/writer author Stephen Fry (UK), actors Miriam Leone (Italy) and Emma Mackey (UK/France), actor/director Katheryn Winnick (Canada) and composer Rob (France).

Six international series are screening out of competition, including the French opener Vernon Subutex and the UK ‘s Beecham House. Ten dramas have entered the short form competition.  Artistic director Albin Lewi said: "We are extremely proud to welcome such a great list of talents from all over the world, for all types of audiences in the legendary location that is Cannes. Canneseries aims to be the flagship festival for series and following last year's premieres of shows like Killing Eve, When Heroes Fly, Miguel and State of Happiness, we can guarantee that our second edition will showcase another line-up of amazing content that will be the starting point of many international discoveries."

For further details, check: www.canneseries.com