25/03/2008

The Finnish Film Foundation has granted €1.1m in production support to four new films, including Sweden’s Rational Solution, scripted by Jens Jönsson, and Norway’s Angel, starring Lena Endre.

Rational Solution, the directing debut of Jörgen Bergmark (co-writer of Kitchen Stories), won the Arte French Cinema Award at Cinemart 2007. The tragicomedy focuses on an active church member who suddenly falls in love with his best friend’s wife and comes up with a rational solution: all concerned should try to live together in his house. Rolf Lassgård and Pernilla August play the leads.

The film is produced by Sweden’s Helena Danielsson (Hepp Film), in co-production with Finland’s Blind Spot Pictures, with co-financing from broadcasters YLE and SVT. Domestic distribution will be handled by Nordisk Film and world sales by The Match Factory. Shooting will take place from April 21 to June 17.

Angel, produced by Norway’s Thomas Robsham (Speranza Film) in co-production with Finland’s Periferia Productions, is the directorial debut of established documentary filmmaker Margreth Olin (Raw Youth). Swedish star Endre plays a drug addict who becomes a mother and has to deal with responsibility and self-respect. The €2.5m film, which starts shooting in April, is co-financed by broadcasters NRK, SVT and YLE TV1.

Last Cowboy Standing, produced by Finland’s Juonifilmi Oy in co-production with Germany’s Niko Film, is the directorial debut of Zaida Bergroth. The story of a family breaking apart in Finland during the 1970s and 80s also received support from YLE TV1, ZDF/Arte and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Shooting will take place from April 22 to June 30. FS Film will handle domestic distribution.

The romantic comedy One Foot Under by Johanna Vuoksenmaa also received support. The €1.1m film produced by Finland’s Dionysos Films, in co-production with YLE, will start shooting on May 5. Sandrew Metronome will handle its domestic release.