Norwegian sales success crosses the Atlantic

27-07-2011

 

One of the strongest European sellers at Cannes market this year, the Norwegian action-thriller HEADHUNTERS has been officially selected for Toronto International Film Festival, where it will screen as Special Presentation.

Based on the bestseller by prize-winning author Jo Nesbø, HEADHUNTERS is an intense action thriller and a provocative investigation into the questions of betrayal, revenge and deadly ambition.
Sales wise, the feature film HEADHUNTERS has so far had a remarkable track record. Even before its international premiere, the film was sold to over 25 countries including key territories such as US, Canada, UK, Australia, Benelux and Germany.

HEADHUNTERS is directed by Morten Tyldum, who introduced a new generation of actors to younger viewers, thereby becoming a turning point in recent Norwegian film history. Additionally, Tyldum is a sought-after commercial director behind some of the most expensive and influential commercials ever produced in Norway.

The two leads are played by Norwegian Aksel Hennie, who is one of Norway´s most popular actors, starring in prize-winning films such as MAX MANUS (2008) and  A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN (2010) , JONNY VANG (2003),  BUDDY (2003), HAWAII, OSLO (2004) and UNO (2004) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who is one of Denmark´s most successful  actors, internationally known for starring in BLACK HAWK DOWN (2001), WIMBLEDON (2004), NEW AMSTERDAM (2008) and the prestigious HBO series GAMES AND THRONES (2011).

Author Jo Nesbø has been lauded by international critics for having expanded framework of the modern crime novel, and is today regarded as one of the foremost European writers in the genre. He´s been published in 140 countries, translated into more than 40 languages and is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, having sold more than 8.5 million books.

Asle Vatn from Friland Film and Marianne Gray from Yellow Bird Norway are producers. Executive producers are Annie Fernandez, Mikael Wallén and Christian Frederik Martin and co-producer is Lone Korslund from Nordisk Film Denmark. Domestic release in Norway is August 26th 2011.

Toronto International Film Festival takes place during September 8th-18th. CEO Rikke Ennis, Head of Sales Susan Wendt and Sales Manager Nicolai Korsgaard will be attending.