A culinary competition with celebrity chef and Borgen writer, Adam Price, panels with Scandinavian talents and screenings of a dozen Nordic films and TV dramas - including UK previews of The Legacy, Pioneer, The Hour of the Lynx and Northwest - are the highlights of the second ‘Nordicana’ in London (February 1-2) organised by UK distributor Arrow Films.
Described by the company’s managing director Alex Agran (pictured) as a ‘mix between a festival and convention for fans of Nordic films and TV dramas’, Nordicana is the perfect launch pad for the UK distribution company’s upcoming films and shows from the Nordic region that now represent the bulk of its output. In 2013 Arrow Films released around 14 Scandinavian films and 20 TV series, including back catalogue titles.
Launched last June, the first Nordicana event attracted over 1,800 Brits over two days and a bigger and better programme is awaiting UK fans early February. “Basically we have a bigger London venue (the Old Truman Brewery), 30% more talent and panels with celebrity moderators,” said Agran. Also, this year’s event has been scheduled to coincide with the airing on BBC Four of The Bridge Season 2, watched every week by around a million UK viewers. The crime series’ leading actors Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia will be on hand to introduce episodes 9 and 10.
Other Scandi talents announced are Sidse Babette Knudsen, Pilou Asbæk, creator Adam Price, producer Camilla Hammerich and composer Halfdan E who will discuss ‘Building Borgen’, Wallander actors Krister Henriksson and Charlotta Jonsson, Carsten Bjørnlund who will introduce Episode 1 of DR’s drama The Legacy and discuss, with co-star Marie Askehave ‘The Killing around the World’.
On the film side, director Michael Noer will comment ‘Post Dogme 95-Reality Rules’, star actor Aksel Hennie will do a Q&A with Bafta nominated editor Mark Sanger (Gravity) for the UK preview of Pioneer while Sofie Gråbøl and Søren Malling will present The Hour of the Lynx.
For further details on Nordicana, check www.nordicnoir.tv