In 2017, in the middle of the #MeToo rallying cry, culture reporter Gustavsson published in Dagens Nyheter an investigation with 18 women who claimed that French photographer and influential cultural figure Jean-Claude Arnault, husband of a board member of the Swedish Academy had committed misconduct and sexual assaults against them.

The scandal had a crippling effect on the Swedish Academy and eventually led to the cancellation of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2018, while Arnault was sent to jail.

In her book published by Albert Bonnier Publishing, Gustavsson also investigates the club Forum, a Swedish cultural institution for the elite set up by Arnault and his wife, and uncovers contradictions within the Swedish Academy.

Seasoned writer Maren Louise Käehne who shared a Nordic Council Film Prize in 2019 for May el Toukhy’s Queen of Hearts produced by Nordisk Film’s Matilda Appelin, is re-teaming with the producer on The Club.

Käehne said: ”The Club portrays the corruption of power and what happens when people are deprived of their voice – both as individuals and as artists. Completely authentic and without falling into tabloid sensationalism, it depicts a landmark in Swedish cultural history. It is a condensed page-turner with drama worthy of a gangster movie."

Gusstavsson adds: ”Maren Louise Käehne is one of the most interesting screenwriters and she has a unique look on power. I am certain she will combine ethics, artistic integrity and uncompromising quality in administering the complexity of The Club.”

No director has yet been named for the ambitious Nordisk Film project, part of the Scandinavian’s drive to produce high quality Swedish feature films and TV dramas for the local and international market.