Based on Najafi's original script, Sebbe is the name of a 15 year-old boy who lives with his single mother Eva in a suburb. "It's a strong story about a boy's relationship with his mother, something that can appeal to international audiences, both young audiences and adults," said producer Rebecka Lafrenz (Garagefilm International). Lafrenz and her partner in Garagefilm Mimmi Spång have known Najafi since they were students at Dramatiska Institutet in Stockholm in early 2000s. Before setting up their own company in 2006, the two female producers worked at Memfis Film where they produced Najafi's short film Elixir. "It was just natural for us to produce Babak's first feature," said. Lafrenz. The film was co-financed by Film i Väst, SVT, YLE and supported by the Swedish Film Institute and Nordisk Film & TV Fond. It is also running for the Best Nordic Film Dragon award in Göteborg this month. The Swedish release through Sonet Film/SF is set for March 12.
In addition to the previously announced Danish film Super Brother (Superbror) and Norwegian film Knerte, two other Nordic films have been added to the Generation KPlus line up: Norway's Rafiki (Bestevenner) and Finland's Last of the Line (Sukunsa viimeinen). Rafiki is the story of two nine year old girls who set on a mission to help their friend Naisha - a foreign refugee - who has suddenly disappeared. The directorial debut of Christian Lo, produced by Filmbin, sold over 38,000 tickets in Norway in 2009. Last of the Line is directed by Anastasia Lapsui and Markku Lehmuskallio, regular guests at the Berlinale's Forum. Their new film features the Nenets, an indigenous people from the Arctic Circle. It's the story of how young Neko, in loyalty to her people's traditions, attempts to resist the pressure of Soviet assimilation. The Illume production will be released in Finland on February 26.