The NOK63.2m (€5.5) film directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg started shooting earlier this month for Nordisk Film Production Norway.

The epic war drama Kampen om Narvik (working title ‘Narvik’ in English) reunites Skjoldbjærg (Occupied, Insomnia) with Christopher Grøndahl, writer of the director’s 2011 award-winning film Nokas. 

Spring 1940, war in Europe might seem distant to some Norwegians, but Narvik is already on the global map, as a coastal town vital for Nazi Germany’s transport of iron ore to feed its war machine. When Germans violate Norway’s neutrality and land in Narvik, the local commander shows no resistance. But not everyone is willing to surrender without a fight. A company of 200 Norwegian soldiers manage to bluff its way out of the city to take up the fight. Among them is the young corporal Gunnar Tofte. Meanwhile his young wife Ingrid works as a maid and interpreter in a hotel, turned into a German headquarter.

Next to Skam actor Carl Martin Eggesbøe who makes his feature film debut, is up-and-coming actress Kristine Cornelie Margrete Hartgen (The 12th Man).

Principal photography commenced in Oslo on March 3rd and will continue on location in Drammen, Rjukan, FilmCamp and in Narvik.

Nordisk Film’s Live Bonnevie, one of the three producers with Aage Aaberge and John Einar Hagen, said the plan is to wrap filming on May 7, marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender to the Allied forces.

Nordisk Film’s mega-project has received backing from the Norwegian Film Institute, Storyline Nor, FilmCamp, Filmfond Nord, Mediefondet Zefyr among others.

The national release is set for December 25, 2020.