29/04/2013 - The Norwegian Film Institute supports two major television series, both set in Norway when occupied by foreign powers

The Battle for Heavy Water - the first television series signed by Norwegian veteran producer John M Jacobsen, of Filmkameratene - will shoot from October, to be aired by Norwegian pubcaster NRK in December 2014. The 6x45-minute World War II series depicts the British SOE commando raid at the Norsk Hydro plant at Rjukan in 1943, to blow up the Nazi production centre of heavy water, in the Allies' efforts to keep the atomic bomb out of Hitler's reach. Norwegian director Per Olav Sørensen (NRK's The Half Brother) will direct Petter Rosenlund's script which "for the first time dramatises "the whole story", moving - as did the events - between Germany, England, Denmark and Norway," Jacobsen said. He will realise the €9.7 million project with Sveinung Golimo and Morten Fisker for Filmkameratene, Denmark's Sebasto Film, the UK's Headline Pictures, Sweden's SF and NRK.

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The Norwegian Film Institute will allocate €1.5 million production funding for The Battle for Heavy Water and €1.3 million for another television series set in Norway conquered by a foreign power - this time the Russians, in the near future. The €10.5 million Occupied is an idea by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø (Headhunters [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), who has also penned the first couple of 10x45-minute episodes - otherwise the main contributor is Harald Rosenløw Eeg.

Exploring to which extent the Norwegians will resist, if after the Russian invasion they are allowed to keep their usual lifestyle, material goods, physical security and a sense of "reasonable freedom," Occupied will be produced by Yellow Bird Norway's Marianne Grey and Gudny Hummelvoll and film from next winter for an autumn 2014 delivery. Directors' team includes Norway's Erik Skjoldbjærg, who has just finished his Pioneer oil-rush thriller.