28. August 2013
Rewarding Swedish Partnerships
Nimbus Film is increasing its focus on co-productions within the Swedish-Danish Oresund region and the up-and-coming Swedish director Lisa Langseth's second feature Hotel, starring Alicia Vikander, is a successful example of that. The international element and the new creative constellations that emerge are what make co-productions interesting, Danish co-producer Mikkel Jersin says about the partnership with B-Reel of Sweden.
Q: How did the partnership between Nimbus and B-Reel develop?
Nimbus Film and B-Reel have been trying to establish a partnership for some time and now, fortunately, we have succeeded with Hotel.
When B-Reel introduced us to the project in 2012, taking it on was easy. The screenplay was unique and written by a super interesting director, Lisa Langseth. Like Nimbus, B-Reel works with a number of interesting Nordic arthouse profiles and has several exciting films in the pipeline. We hope to cooperate on several of these projects.
Q: Why is Nimbus Film interested in a Swedish project?
Nimbus Film has always co-produced with Nordic countries and we plan to keep that up. The TV series The Bridge, for instance, has proved how rewarding it can be to co-produce within the Oresund region (Southern Sweden and Greater Copenhagen, ed.). We have an ongoing relationship with several Swedish companies.
There is much to be gained from co-producing, in terms of creative talent and financial advantages, as well. We have built up a lot of expertise in the area at Nimbus Film and we greatly benefit from our partnerships, both in the Nordic region and in other European countries. Big projects can be complicated, of course, because many companies and countries must agree on everything, but it’s also one of the aspects of film production I personally, as a producer, love most.
Q: What is B-Reel’s interest in the Danish partnership?
B-Reels interest in collaborating with Nimbus is both creative and financial. The project gets a creative shot in the arm from the Danish crew, combined with a financial boost. Plus, the film will be released theatrically in Denmark. Danish audiences will have a chance to get reacquainted with the beautiful Alicia Vikander, who is almost considered Danish now after the impression she made as the queen in A Royal Affair.
In my opinion, co-productions often end up with a greater scope and an international format that make the film more exciting in many respects. Moreover, it’s always interesting to see how the director’s vision is impacted by new creative constellations in the crew.
Q: Tell us about the Danish cast and crew …
B-Reel chose Danish-Swedish actors because it was important that the characters speak Swedish. David Dencik has a leading role as a rather humorous character. Lisa Carlehed, who lives and works in Denmark, also does an excellent job. Furthermore, I’d like to bring attention to the editor, Elin Pröjts, who edited Borgen, and the make-up artist, Sofie de Mylius.
Assembling the team for a co-production is always more difficult, but Nimbus Film has a huge Nordic network and I think it came together very well. The Danish contribution, I hope, has helped make the film even better.
Hotel is selected for the Toronto International Film Festival.
Photos: B-Reel
Hotel
Hotel is Swedish Lisa Langseth’s second film and is a playful drama about a woman undergoing an identity crisis. Erika has it all: a good job, scores of friends and a secure relationship. Until suddenly, it all falls apart and her perfect life means nothing. She goes into group therapy, and one day a question is raised in the group: Why not allow ourselves to feel good? The group decides to go to a place of complete anonymity, a place where you can become whoever you want – they check into a hotel. Hotel is selected for the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lisa Langseth, Director of Hotel
Film director, playwright and stage director. Born 1975, Sweden. Graduated from University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre in 2002. Her first feature, Pure (2010), won the Swedish Guldbagge Award for Best Screenplay and Alicia Vikander won for Best Actress.
What’s the Danish Angle
Hotel is a co-production between B-Reel of Sweden and Nimbus Film of Denmark. The Danish co-producer is Mikkel Jersin, David Dencik (A Royal Affair, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) has a leading role, Elin Pröjts is editor, and Sofie de Mylius is the make-up artist.
The film received minor co-production support from the Danish Film Institute.
Nimbus Film
Founded in 1993 by producers Birgitte Hald and Bo Ehrhardt. The producing staff also includes Lars Bredo Rahbek, Mikkel Jersin, Jonas Frederiksen and Eva Jakobsen.
Famed for the Dogme films The Celebration (Thomas Vinterberg, 1998) and Mifune (Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, 1999). Films include King’s Game (Nikolaj Arcel, 2004), A Soap (Pernille Fischer Christensen, 2006), Fighter (Natasha Arthy, 2007) and Superclásico (Ole Christian Madsen, 2011). Producers of the TV series success The Bridge I and II.
Out in 2013 is Søren Kragh-Jacobsen’s The Hour of the Lynx and Antboy (Toronto International Film Festival) by Ask Hasselbalch. Upcoming titles include Ole Christian Madsen’s Itsi Bitsi and Dagur Kári’s Fúsi (co-production).
The Oresund Region is located by the shores of the Oresund strait and embraces the area of Greater Copenhagen and Southern Sweden. The region is an important hub for economic activity in Scandinavia as well as a vital centre for film production. To learn more about shooting in the region, contact the Oresund Film Commission.