18/11/2014 - In two weeks, Arne Lindtner Næss’ third instalment in the children’s film franchise has sold 160,327 tickets domestically

Casper and Emma’s Christmas by Arne Lindtner Næss (© Cinenord/SF Norge)

Since its 7 November release, Norwegian director Arne Lindtner Næss’ Casper and Emma’s Christmas [+see also:
trailer
film profile] – his third instalment in the children’s film franchise, and the second to premiere this year – has reached 160,327 admissions in Norway, to become number two in the charts this week. The previews for the movie about the two five-year-olds and their pets took more than 40,000 alone. 

“Audiences’ feedback has been overwhelming – we are happy that Casper and Emma make them feel Christmassy,” said Norwegian producer Silje Hopland Eik, of Cinenord Kidstory, who (with Tanya Nanette Badendyck) has staged the three films and is currently preparing the fourth, Casper and Emma on Safari, which sees them continuing their adventures in Africa. 

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Based on the bestselling Casper and Emma children’s books that have been published since 1992 by Norwegian author Tor Åge Bringsværd with Anne G Holt’s illustrations, Næss’ first film in the series, Casper and Emma – Best Friends [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2013), sold 218,000 tickets. Also in 2013, Norwegian pubcaster NRK Super’s 12-episode TV series about the two friends garnered more viewers than any other series so far, be it for children or adults.

Launched on 24 January this year, Casper and Emma’s Winter Vacation recorded a 210,000-strong attendance. In Casper and Emma’s Christmas, scripted by Alexander Eik, Casper (Elias Søvold-Simonsen) and Emma (Nora Amundsen) are looking forward to the festive season – Emma, however, is excited to know whether Santa Claus will visit her this year, or simply leave her presents outside the door, as he usually does.