News

In one of the most exciting new ventures coming out of Scandinavia, the former Flx CEO Pontus Edgren, Breakable Films’ VP Eleonor Sager (Netflix’s “One More Time”), writer and best-selling novelist Ulf Kvensler have joined forces to deliver prime scripted content for streamers and cinemas, Variety has learned exclusively.

With storytelling at its core, Stockholm-based Ivy Prodco will develop and produce scripted series and films for the Nordic and global markets, tapping into the founding partners’ own materials and the best ideas and content from up-and-coming talents.

All three partners boast impressive track records in film and TV.

As CEO for Jarowskij (2009-2012) and then CEO/managing partner for Sf Studios’ banner Flx (2013-2023), Edgren has more than 40 productions to his credit, including the mega comedy hits “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,” “Solsidan,” “The Bonus Family” and Netflix originals “Quicksand” and “Love & Anarchy.

Netflix has unveiled its roster of Nordic titles, including Jo Nesbø’s Norwegian series “Harry Hole” (working title), a series adaptation of Amanda Romare’s novel “Diary of a Ditched Girl” starring Carla Sehn (“Love & Anarchy”), the female-led “The New Force,” and a film adaptation of Alex Ahndoril’s “The Key Series.”

“Harry Hole” is entirely penned by Nesbø, a bestselling crime novelist best known for “Occupied” and “The Snowman.” Based on Nesbø’s novel “The Devil’s Star,” the series is set in Oslo during the summer and follows police detective Harry Hole who’s just been abandoned by his girlfriend. On his last mission, Hole has to partner with a corrupt cop to investigate the murder of a woman. The series will be directed by Øystein Karlsen (“Exit”)

“Diary of a Ditched Girl,” penned by Tove Eriksen Hillblom (“Solsidan”) and Moa Herngren (“Bonus Family”), stars Sehn as 31-year-old Amanda who,...

Beloved Swedish classic novel “The Scarab Flies at Dusk” is being adapted into a premium family adventure series produced by Nordic Drama Queens, the top-notch production label backed by Fifth Season.

Swedish broadcaster Svt has already commissioned the show whose starry cast will be led by Tomas von Brömssen (“My Life as a Dog”), Pernilla August (“‘The Best Intentions”) Dag Malmberg (“The Bridge”) and Lena Endre (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”). Fifth Season is handling worldwide sales on the series and is introducing it to potential buyers attending the Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision.

“Afterglow” filmmaker Atle Knudsen will be directing the series, which is penned by celebrated authors Ditta Bongenhielm (“Bonus Family“) and Lovisa Milles (“Jordskott“).

“The Scarab Flies at Dusk” will be filmed in Västra Götaland and produced by Nordic Drama Queens in collaboration with Svt, Film i Väst, TV2 Norway, Monster As and Dr...

Michael Porseryd is set to exit Sf Studios, the Nordic powerhouse behind Tom Hanks starrer “A Man Called Otto,” as CEO.

News comes as a shock to everyone as Porseryd recently spoke to Variety about the company’s involvement in “A Man Called Otto,” following a successful press launch of the film with Hanks and Rita Wilson who were on hand in Stockholm.

Sf Studios’ chairman of the board, Jan Bernhardsson, will assume the role as acting CEO in the interim. Sf Studios’ board of directors are now starting the process of recruiting a new permanent CEO.

During Porseryd’s six-year tenure as CEO, the company developed a bigger presence in the local and international production landscape, notably with “Horizon Lines” and most recently with “A Man Called Otto,” as well as some big-budgeted upscale period movies such as Erik Poppe’s “The Emigrants” and Björn Runge’s “Burn All My Letters.

Sf Studios, the 104-year old Nordic giant, has crashed into the awards season with Tom Hanks’ “A Man Called Otto,” which it produced with Playtone and fully financed.

Buzzed about as a potentially strong Oscar candidate since its first official screening in L.A. last week, the Sony Pictures film is a remake of “A Man Called Ove,” the Swedish hit also produced by Sf Studios. The 2015 film, adapted from Fredrik Backman’s global bestseller, earned two Oscar nominations.

Sf Studios’ CEO and president Michael Porseryd told Variety that the 50-million film with Hanks underscores the banner’s commitment to theatrical movies and its drive to own intellectual property rights for content it finances.

“The biggest difficulty we’re facing right now is to get audiences back into theaters, but when a movie works in cinemas, the payback is much bigger than when dealing with a streamer,” said Porseryd, who...

Women in Film and Television International has appointed Dr. Susan Liddy as its new president.

The former chair of Women in Film and Television Ireland will step into the role that has been occupied by Swedish producer Helen Granqvist since 2018. The pair will work together for the coming months as co-presidents until Liddy assumes the helm in August 2023.

Welcoming Dr. Liddy to her new role, Ms.Granqvist said: “I’m looking forward to sharing the leadership of Wifti with Dr. Liddy during the transition period. Susan is a researcher and I am a practitioner but we are both activists who work strategically for change. I couldn’t wish for someone better to take over the leadership for Wifti!”

Speaking about her appointment, Liddy said: “I’m honored to be chosen to lead Wifti in the years ahead and I look forward to working with our international colleagues, in uniting chapters and affiliated organisations,...

Leading producer Sabina Arnold (“Irish Crime”) and award-winning filmmaker Züli Aladag (“Nsu – German History X”) are setting up High Fidelity Pictures, a new production company under the Beta Group umbrella.

Felix Zackor, managing director of the production service provider and Beta subsidiary Ffp, will support the new company as a partner in production services.

The filmmakers will produce high-quality fiction series and feature films with a national and international focus. High Fidelity will pay particular attention to the promotion of young talent.

Aladag said: “With High Fidelity Pictures, my focus is shifting from directing to producing. Of course, I will draw on my 20 years of experience as a filmmaker. Developing extraordinary miniseries, series, and feature films together with talented authors is a great pleasure for me. I am in close contact with the next generation and see their immense creativity and energy. To preserve this and carry it forward is a great incentive for me.

Mubi has released new key artwork for Lars von Trier’s hotly anticipated series “The Kingdom Exodus” ahead of its world premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. The series will go on to play at Toronto and New York Film festival.

The third installment of The Kingdom trilogy, the medical horror finale marks Mubi’s first series. It will roll out exclusively on the platform in the fall. TrustNordisk is handling international sales and has also unveiled the opening sequence of the series.

The five-part series, produced by Zentropa, follows the staff and patients of a neurosurgical ward in a Copenhagen hospital. In “The Kingdom Exodus,” sleepwalker Karen will seek answers to the unresolved questions of the series in order to save the hospital from doom.

The new season features an ensemble cast, including Lars Mikkelsen (“The Killing”), Mikael Persbrandt (“Sex Education”), Nikolaj Lie Kaas (“Riders of Justice...

“Fitness advice, gig economy, binge watching Danish crime series, sustainability, sex when the kids watch cartoons, mobile bank ID, personal development 5:2 diet, anti-aging cream, Adobe updates, climate friendly travel, body activism,” Anders rants quietly to the camera, as he walks from his car to home in the equivalent of white picket fence Sweden at the beginning of Swedish Discovery Plus Original “Gotebia,” a half-hour dramedic psychological thriller.

“Exterior renovations, Roblox, mini Rodini hats, dinners from Fedora. Shared family calendar. Find us-time, life with kids, drainage pipes, hot yoga, performance review, changing the plumbing, pub crawls, doggy day care,” he goes on.

43, Anders is out of his depth at work where his company’s motivational speakers are no longer found in the newspaper or on TV but on YouTube, TikTok, Snap and Instagram. And suffering to keep up with the Joneses – in this case tennis player and neighbor Martin’s...

Sf Studios (“Margrete – Queen of the North”) and Swedish broadcaster Svt are partnering up with Beta Film (“Atlantic Crossing”) on “Raoul,” a drama series about the internationally renowned Swedish diplomate Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jewish people during World War II.

The six-part series is based on Ingrid Carlberg‘s August Prize-winning biography “Raoul Wallenberg: The Biography.” Jesper Harrie (“Bonus Family”), Måns Herngren and Carl-Johan Vallgren co-created and penned “Raoul.” The period drama will start shooting next year with Herngren directing. Beta Film is handling international sales on the historical series.

Wallenberg was born into the powerful Swedish Wallenberg family but was never included in the family’s business empire. Perceived as a carefree and socially gifted man, he showed tremendous courage and compassion in 1944, when he was given the rescue mission to protect Jewish people in Nazi-occupied Hungary. Within a few months, he was able to save tens of thousands through unconventional methods.

Variety and the European Film Market are teaming up to host a half-day TV summit as part of this year’s Berlinale Series Market & Conference. Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett will participate in a panel with “Stateless” co-creators Elise McCredie and Tony Ares. Startz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch will participate in a keynote conversation at the summit as well.

“Expanding our thought-leadership summit series to international markets is a key initiative for Variety,” said Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, the company’s group publisher and chief revenue officer. “The Efm at Berlinale is the perfect partner for us to expand our brand globally.”

The summit will feature a series of conversations on international TV production and finance. Netflix will hold a panel on the art of producing with Meta Sørensen, Jantje Friese, Fatima Varhos, Laura Buffoni, Anna Winger, and Rachel Eggebeen, director of international originals.

Also, ITV Studios will present a discussion about the global...

Netflix has confirmed that 44 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in Ju;y including: season 3 of “Stranger Things”; season 4 of “Queer Eye”; season 7 of “Orange is the New Black”; and season 11 of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”

Among the new films on offer are: several installments of “Bangkok Love Stories”; a remake of “Point Blank” starring Anthony Mackie; the documentary “The Great Hack”‘; and the mockumentary “Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein.”

Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in July 2019.

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Available July 1

“Designated Survivor: 60 Days” (Netflix Original)

“Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room” (Netflix Original)

“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”

“Astro Boy”

“Caddyshack”

“Caddyshack 2”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005)

“Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke”

“Cloverfield”

“Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain”

“Frozen River”

“Inkheart...

Netflix has everyone’s Fourth of July entertainment covered.

Hitting the streaming platform on July 4 is “Stranger Things” season three, which is finally returning two years after its predecessor. Martin Scorsese fans are also sure to be excited once they see four of the director’s films (“Taxi Driver” “Mean Streets” “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and “Who’s That Knocking at My Door?”) ready to stream on the first day of the month.

Additionally, Fourth of July celebrants can look back on history with Netflix’s own revisionist features such as “Inglourious Basterds” before enjoying some family fun with more kid friendly options like “Megamind” and “Princess and the Frog.”

See the full list of titles below.

July 1

“Designated Survivor: 60 days”

“Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room”

“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”

“Astro Boy”

“Caddyshack”

“Caddyshack 2”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005)

“Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke”

“Cloverfield...

Goteborg, Sweden — Netflix is co-producing its first Icelandic series, “The Valhalla Murders,” a crime show created and directed by newcomer Þórður Pálsson and produced by Truenorth and Mystery Productions for RÚV. The deal was announced today at the Göteborg Festival by Netflix’s director of co-productions and acquisitionsLina Brounéus.

Half-way through its Icelandic shoot, the eight-part crime series “The Valhalla Murders” is produced by Truenorth’s Kristinn Thordarson and Leifur B. Dagfinnsson with Mystery Productions’ David Oskar Olafsson for Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV. Streaming giant Netflix has boarded the €5.5m ($6.3 million) series as co-producer.

Thanks to Netflix’s investment and pre-sales closed earlier by Dr Sales, half the series’ overall cost comes from overseas, according to RÚV.

Truenorth’s Thordarson told Variety: “We are extremely pleased to have signed this ground-breaking deal with Netflix. This is a validation of our efforts to bring the best quality content to the...

ABC’s comedy pilot Steps is staying alive. ABC Studios has picked up the options of the entire cast of the project, starring Once Upon a Time alumna Ginnifer Goodwin alongside Kyle Bornheimer, Barry Rothbart, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Julie Hagerty and Cameron Boyce.

Steps, based on the Swedish format Bonus Family, is currently being retooled by the pilot’s writer Kristin Newman (The Muppets). Picking up the cast certainly is a promising sign though there has been no decision on reshooting the pilot yet.

Steps, from ABC Studios and studio-based Mandeville TV, revolves around four adults in three houses raising three kids after two divorces — together. The pilot was in serious contention for a series pickup in May and was also brought up in the immediate aftermath of ABC’s cancellation of Roseanne, when the network considered picking up another comedy series to fill the void. (ABC ultimately replaced Roseanne with spinoff The Conners.

Lille, France — Beta Film subsidiary Good Friends Filmproduktion, whose groundbreaking TNT Comedy original “Arthur’s Law” plays Saturday at Series Mania, has acquired the German remake rights to hit Swedish format “Bonus Family.”

Good Friends is in final negotiations for a German broadcaster to take the reversion.

“Bonus Family” was produced by Flx, whose credits include “The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window And Disappeared” and its sequel, “The 101-Year Old Man Who Skipped Out on the Bill and Disappeared.”

It was created by these movies’ director, Felix Herngren, and his second wife, Clara Herngren – appropriately enough, given “Bonus Family” turns on people initiating relationships with new partners who already have children.

Netflix acquired the series’ first two seasons, presented outside Sweden, where the series played very well on pubcaster Svt, as a Netflix original outside Sweden, its first totally Swedish show.

“The producers themselves are in a patchwork family,...

World premieres include Fanny Ardant’s Stalin’s Couch [pictured], Elisabeth E. Schuch’s The Book Of Birdie, Erlingur Ottar Thoroddsen’s Rift, and Manuel Concha’s Blind Alley.

Goteborg Film Festival has announced its programme of nearly 450 films from 84 countries to screen during the festival’s 40th anniversary edition (Jan 27-Feb 6).

As reported earlier, the festival will kick off with Dome Karukoski’s Tom Of Finland.

The eight films (all world premieres) competing for the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film – with a prize of $110,500 (Sek 1m) — are as follows:

Tom Of Finland by Dome Karukoski (Finland/Sweden/Denmark/Germany/Us)Beyond Dreams by Rojda Sekersöz (Sweden)The Ex-wife by Katja Wik (Sweden)Heartstone by Gudmundur A. Gudmundsson (Iceland/Denmark)Sámi Blood by Amanda Kernell (Sweden/Denmark/Norway)Little Wing bySelma Vilhunen (Finland)The Man by Charlotte Sieling (Denmark)Handle With Care by Arild Andresen (Norway)

The Nordic documentary competition includes:

Citizen Schein by Maud Nycander, [link...