UK distributor Metrodome has acquired all rights to Finnish drama PURGE, director Antti Jokinen´s adaption of Sofi Oksanen´s international bestseller.
PURGE is the official entry of Finland for the Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film and it has to date grossed over 2.4 million US dollars in its home country. One of its main stars Laura Birn has just been announced as one of the 10 European shooting stars celebrated at next year´s Berlinale and a recent review from The Hollywood Reporter states:
“Based on a best-selling novel by Finnish-Estonian writer Sofi Oksanen, PURGE is a gripping and polished hybrid of contemporary thriller and historical melodrama. A sensational literary success in Nordic nations and beyond, PURGE has been translated into 38 languages, won multiple prizes and spawned an opera. Combining the romantic sweep of DOCTOR ZHIVAGO with the sexually charged violence and feminist-revenge action-thriller elements of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO, Finnish director Antti Jokinen´s lavish screen adaptation has plenty of potential crossover appeal in foreign markets, particularly if it makes the Oscars shortlist.”
Sofi Oksanen's book PURGE has also received much acclaim internationally. In France alone it has sold 353.000 copies and it´s currently shortlisted for Le Prix des lecteurs du Livre de Poche. Sunday Times in the UK chose PURGE as one of the best books of 2010. PURGE has won the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2010, the European Book Prize 2010, Prix Femina Ètranger 2010 as well as the 2010 FNAC prize and it has been translated into 40 languages.
Produced by Marcus Selin from Finland´s leading production house Solar Films, PURGE spans over 50 years, telling the story of two women from two different eras, who are linked by separate tales of deceit, desperation and fear. PURGE stars some of the most respected Finnish actors and actresses such as Liisi Tandefelt, Laura Birn, Amanda Pilke and Peter Franzén.