The Norwegian film inspired by the true story of boxing brothers Erling and Magne Havnaa, has just started filming for Maipo Film and distribution group Nordisk Film.
Director Bård Breien ofThe Art of Negative Thinking fame, has teamed up with writer Ravn Lanesskog (Quisling, Amundsen) and Eske Troelstrup, co-writer of his last feature Detective Downs, to bring to the screens the notorious story of the Havnaa brothers from Arendal, Norway. The siblings made headlines in Norway both for their boxing achievements and a criminal case. The younger of the two - Magne Havnaa - was a professional boxer who became world champion in cruiserweight, before passing away aged 40 in 2004. His elder brother Erling Havnaa won numerous kickboxing European and world medals, until he participated in the notorious NOKAS armed robbery in 2004 for which he was charged and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The film follows Magne Havnaa, as he struggles to reach his unlikely goal to become the first Norwegian world champion in professional boxing. His elder brother Erling puts his own ambitions aside to stand by Magne's dream. But fate has it that Erling also ends up in the history books as participant in the biggest robbery in Norwegian history.
Erling is played by seasoned actor Tobias Santelmann (Exit, Atlantic Crossing, Out Stealing Horses) and Magne by Odin Waage who will be making his feature film debut after high-profile performances in the NRK series Rod Knock and Eyewitness.
“We are looking forward to giving the audience this captivating story about these two brothers,” said producer and Maipo Film CEO Synnøve Hørsdal.
The NOK 48.5m (€4.1m) film is a co-production between Norway, the Czech Republic's FilmKollectiv and Slovakia's PubRes.
The character-driven family drama was granted NOK 13m (€1.1m) from the Norwegian Film Institute.
Nordisk Film Distribution will handle the Norwegian release, set for 2025.