Øystein Karlsen’s series inspired by Leonard Cohen’s love story with Marianne Ihlen is among three projects that have received production support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

Drama series

  • So Long Marianne (6x45’)
    Grant: NOK 3,500,000
    Recipient: Redpoint Productions, Norway
    Producer: Ingeborg Klyve
    Head-writer: Øystein Karlsen
    Concept director: Øystein Karlsen
    Commissioner: NRK
    Logline: So Long Marianne is a poetic love story set in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Hydra, in the 1960s. It’s a story of two equally lonely people falling in love at a period of their life when they are still trying to figure out who they are.

    After his acclaimed series Exit, show-runner Øystein Karlsen is bringing to the screens the love story between the celebrated songwriter Leonard Cohen and his muse, Marianne Ihre, who inspired some of his greatest songs including ‘So Long, Marianne’, ‘Like a Bird on a Wire’ and ‘That’s No Way to Say Goodbye’.

    Karlsen will direct four episodes, with Canadian director Bronwen-Hughes (The Journey is the Destination, Breaking Bad) attached to the four remaining episodes.

    NRK’s event series So Long Marianne is co-produced by Canada’s Connect3, Greece’s Tanweer Productions, with co-financing from SVT, DR, Yle and RÚV, tax incentives from Canada and Greece, support from the Norwegian Film Institute and Creative Europe. Cast and crew will soon be announced.
  • The Åre Murders (6x45’)
    Grant: NOK 1,900,000
    Recipient: SF Studios Production, Sweden
    Producer: Brita Lundqvist
    Writers: Karin Gidfors, Jimmy Lindgren
    Concept director: Joakim Eliasson
    Commissioner: Viaplay
  • Logline: The series is based on Viveca Sten's first two books in The Åre Murders crime series. The story revolves around Stockholm police officer Hanna Ahlander who takes refuge from personal and professional problems in the scenic Swedish mountain village of Åre. But when a young woman disappears one freezing St. Lucia’s Day, Hanna is rapidly drawn into the investigation. Local police officer Daniel Lindskog reluctantly accepts her help.

    The new crime series from ‘The Sandhamn Murders’ best-selling author Viveca Sten is due to start filming this spring. Sten is serving as executive producer, together with Viaplay’s Helena Larand and SF Studios’ Susann Billberg. Viaplay Content Distribution handles global sales. The premiere on the streaming service is set for the fall 2024.

Documentaries

  • The Golden Swan
    Grant: NOK 650,000
    Recipient: Fri Film, Norway
    Producer: Beathe Hofseth
    Director: Anette Ostrø
    Domestic distribution: Euforia Film, NRK
    Logline: The Golden Swan is a gripping story of how even your darkest fear and hatred can be conquered from within. On New Year’s Eve, 1994, the artist Hans Christian celebrates with his friends and family in Oslo, telling his sister what an exciting year it will be. A few months later, he is found at the bottom of a Himalayan hillside, beheaded by the terrorist group, al Faran. Hidden on his body are poems and letters from his time in captivity.

    These testimonies, form the backbone of a brutal yet healing story shared by Hans Christian’s sister, filmmaker Anette Ostrø.

    The film is being co-produced by Denmark’s Made in Copenhagen, the Netherlands’ Halal Film & Photography, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute, the Danish Film Institute, the Dutch Film Fund, Viken Film Centre, the Art Council Norway, Fritt Ord, Bergsenstiftlsen. The premiere is set for 2024.
  • The Ground Beneath Our Feet
    Grant: NOK 500,000
    Recipient: Akkeri Films, Iceland
    Director: Yrsa Roca Fannberg
    Domestic distribution: RÚV
    Logline: The Ground Beneath Our Feet shows the hidden world of everyday rituals of our elderly in what is their last home, but also an institution. There is nowhere to go to after Grund, but the ground itself. But life prevails as long as it can.

    The film is co-produced by Poland’s Staron Film, with co-financing from RÚV, Yle, the reimbursement scheme in Iceland, support from the Icelandic Film Centre and the Polish Film Fund. The premiere is set for 2024.

DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT

  • NOK 200,000 to Ymer Media, Norway for the release of the Icelandic film Godland.
  • NOK 195,000 to Storytelling Media, Norway for the release of the Swedish film Alfie and his Secret Friend.
  • NOK 120,000 to Folkets Bio, Sweden for the release of the Icelandic film Godland.
  • NOK 120,000 to Film Bazar, Denmark for the release of the Icelandic film A Letter from Helga.

INDUSTRY INITIATIVES SUPPORT

  • NOK 550,000 to the Norwegian Film Festival for New Nordic Films industry showcase.
  • NOK 420,000 to CPH:DOX Industry event.
  • NOK 300,000 to M:brane, Sweden for their industry event focusing on young audiences.
  • NOK 100,000 to Kvikmyndahátíð í Reykjavík for the Stockfish Film Festival-Industry Days.
  • NOK 65,000 to Midtnorsk Filmsenter for Nordic Monday at the Berlinale 2023.
  • NOK 60,000 to Filmgreb for Young Nordic Producers Club in Cannes.