Part 2: Nordic Film Producers on the Move 2020

We spoke to the two Nordic up-and-coming producers, selected with Denmark’s Monica Hellström (Final Cut for Real) Norway’s Alan R. Milligan (Tannhauser Gate/Film Farms/White Rabbit) together with 16 other European Producers on the Move.

The event organised by Creative Europe Media’s European Film Promotion involves speed meetings and roundtable sessions.

The virtual edition replaces the usual on-site event unspooling each year during the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Marie Kjellson - Sweden - Kjellson & Wik 
Marie Kjellson worked eight years for Ruben Östlund’s production outfit Plattform Production, before setting up her own Göteborg-based company Kjellson & Wik in 2013 with upcoming director Katja Wik. She is associated to Östlund’s feature length films Force Majeure, Play, short film Incident by a Bank, Gunhild Enger and Jenni Toivoniemi’s The Committee and Wik’s debut film The Ex-Wife. She is also co-producer of Pirjo Honkasalo's Concrete Night.

What does it mean for you to be selected for the 2020 Producers on the Move and to attend the event online?
MK: It means visibility and a unique opportunity to connect with producers and partners for future collaborations. I’m hoping for the online event to feel even more exclusive and intimate, and whatever will be missing in terms of mingles and cocktails, we will make up for when we meet in Cannes next time.

What projects will you discuss with your European colleagues?
MK: I will be pitching Katja Wik’s second feature with the working title The Narcissist. It will be a character-driven, entertaining story centred around a group of people, some of them obsessed with their own image and affirmation, some of them on the contrary happily focusing on the here and now, feeling content with life as it is. We’re in early development.

What drives you as a producer?
MK: To me, I think being part of a craft that ultimately mirrors ourselves as humans, gives me a great sense of meaning. That is definitely a driving force. Apart from that, combining business and creative skills to realize a vision has always been somewhat of a passion - you really get to exercise both halves of your brain.

In today’s market, what do you feel are the essential skills needed to make your project (film or TV drama) stand out
MK: That’s a good question. Possibly a combination of a personal tone of voice and the ability to navigate the market, finding your context and ambassadors. In the long run, I think it’s more important to stand the test of time, and to be relevant over time. The films that have managed that, get to find new audiences over and over again.

Aleksi Hyvärinen - Finland - Don Films
A co-founder of Don Films, Aleksi Hyvärinen produced and co-wrote Taneli Mustonen's 2016 hit horror film Lake Bodom as well as his comedy film The Renovation, biggest selling film in March in Finland before local cinemas’ shutdown due to Covid-19.

Hyvärinen co-produced Boris Khlebnikov's Arrythmia and Valery Todorovsky's upcoming feature Hypnosis.

What does it mean for you to be selected for the 2020 Producers on the Move and to attend the event online?
AH: I’m thrilled about this opportunity, it’s a legendary programme. I can’t wait to meet everyone, pick the brains of all these amazing producers and dive ever deeper into the possibilities of co-producing all across the continent! The EFP team is doing amazing work setting it all up!

What projects will you discuss with your European colleagues?
AH: I will discuss The Twin, the next feature from the team behind the Scandi horror hit Lake Bodom. Taneli Mustonen’s English-language elevated horror film is a chillingly twisted tale about a mother who needs to confront the unbearable truth about her surviving twin son. The project in pre-production should start filming end of 2020.

What drives you as a producer?
AH: Working with tremendous talent and mind-blowing stories — and constantly thriving to collide those two in a way that makes their sum even greater than its parts. The very definition of the magic of filmmaking!

In today’s market, what do you feel are the essential skills needed to make your project (film or TV drama) stand out?
AH: I think the essential skills for a producer are the same as ever. Speed, agility and a sharp eye... and having your heart all in, all the way. At the end of the day, all that matters is just being hellbent on making things happen. And doing that with people who day after day astonish you with their ideas, wit and passion.