05/06/2008

The Danish Film Institute has awarded production support to two new feature films: Original by filmmaking duo Antonio Tublén and Alexander Brönstedt, produced by Zentropa, and Superbrother by Birger Larsen, written and produced by Åke Sandgren for Nordisk Film.

The Swedish Tublén and Danish Brönstedt are making their leap from short to feature length with Original, a comedy-drama mixing fantasy and reality. The 35 year-old Henry (Sverrir Gudnason) tries his best to be like anyone else but his family background makes this impossible. The cast also includes Tuva Novotny and David Dencik.

The Swedish/Danish film (awarded DKK 1.4m), is produced by Carsten Holst for Zentropa, in co-production with Film i Väst. Currently filming between Göteborg and Malmö, the film will have its Danish premiere in February 2009.

Superbrother is the fourth feature film by Birger Larsen (Dance with the Polar Bear). His new children’s film, based on Sandgren’s script, tells of 10-year-old Anton who is desperate to have a "real" older brother, instead of his autistic big brother Buller. However, when a Super Trip Remote from outer space lands nearby, Buller suddenly becomes the super brother Anton has always dreamt of.

The Nordisk Film title received a DKK6.4m grant from the DFI. Its domestic release is set for late 2009.