19/12/2007

The Norwegian Film Fund (NFF) has granted a total of NOK43.5m (€5.4m) in production support to three feature films and three TV series, including NOK13.8m (€1.7m) to the ambitious, epic WWII movie Max Manus.

Max Manus is described by NFF Drama and Feature Film Consultant Ivar Køhn as a film that could well become a “reference project [for] its artistic ambition combined with the commercial appeal of its story”. The film is based on Norwegian Resistance hero Max Manus’ autobiographical accounts adapted for the screen by Thomas Nordseth.

Aksel Hennie will play the title role for directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, making their second feature film after the Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz vehicle Bandidas [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. The creative team will also include DoP Geir Hartly Andreassen (Darling [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Production Designer Karl Juliusson (Dancer in the Dark).

The NOK50m (€6.2m) project will be produced by John M. Jacobsen (Pathfinder) and Sveinung Golimo for Filmkameratene. Principal photography will start on February 12, 2008 and Nordisk Film will handle domestic distribution.

Two other feature films will start filming in February. The NOK 12.5m (€1.5m) Nord will be directed by Rune D. Langlos from a script by Erlend Loe (Gone with the Woman [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). The project is described as an existential comedy about a former athlete who after five years of isolation induced by a mental breakdown decides to get his life back together and travels back home, heading north. The film will be produced by Sigve Endresen and Brede Hovland (Motlys AS).

Sammen (“Together”) will be the feature debut for director Matias Armand Jordal and producer Tom Rysstad (Mirmar Film Production). The NOK12.7m (€1.5m) project tells the story of a father and a son who try to get over the loss of their beloved wife and mother.

Both Nord and Sammenwill be released domestically by Sandrew Metronome.