Shooting has officially begun on Nikolaj Arcel’s upcoming MY FAIRYTALE LIFE (working title) as a first glimpse and behind the scenes shot of Casper Kjær Jensen as Hans Christian Andersen is revealed. More cast has also been added to the project.
Danica Curcic (SECRETS WE KEEP, THE KINGDOM, THE CHESTNUT MAN), Jacob Lohmann (THE PROMISED LAND, SONS), Simon Bennebjerg (THE PROMISED LAND, THE GUEST) and Thomas Gabrielsson (THE PROMISED LAND) round out the full cast, joining the already announced cast consisting of Nikolaj Lie Kaas (THE LAST VIKING), Ulrich Thomsen (IN A BETTER WORLD), David Dencik (CLAYFACE), Clara Dessau (LOW EXPECTATIONS), Clint Ruben (BULLSHIT), Josephine Højbjerg (DARK HORSE) and Anna Søgaard Fransen (WOMAN UNKNOWN).
With Casper Kjær Jensen in the leading role, as Hans Christian Andersen, My Fairytale Life unfolds a modern period drama about a young and idealistic author to be, searching for recognition and desperately trying to fit in.
SYNOPSIS
Hans Christian Andersen, a socially awkward nobody, moves to Copenhagen with dreams of conquering Denmark’s cultural elite and becoming a famous artist. In a colourful and merciless world of actors, playwrights and snobbish benefactors, Christian fiercely fights to get the recognition and love he so desperately craves. But his own delusions of grandeur may turn out to be his greatest weakness; the last thing he wants is to be known as a children’s fairytale writer
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE will be Nikolaj Arcel’s 7th feature film as a director. Since his debut with KING’S GAME (2004), more than two decades ago, Arcel has consolidated his position as a visionary director with a strong grasp of genres with films of high cinematic quality that attract international acclaim and appeal widely to both critics and audiences alike. His previous film A ROYAL AFFAIR celebrated its world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2012, winning the Silver Berlin Bear for Best Actor and Best Screenplay and was nominated for an Academy Award® in 2013. His latest film, THE PROMISED LAND (2023), world premiered at the Venice Film Festival, took home three awards at the European Film Awards and was shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards®.
For his upcoming feature Arcel will team up once again with co-writer Anders Thomas Jensen (THE LAST VIKING) with whom he also wrote THE PROMISED LAND.
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE is produced by Louise Vesth and Tine Mikkelsen for Zentropa. Louise Vesth also produced Arcel’s previous films A ROYAL AFFAIR and THE PROMISED LAND.
Produced by Zentropa Entertainments in co-production with Zentropa Germany. With support from The Danish Film Institute Market Scheme, FilmFyn, The Danish Production Incentive Scheme, Eurimages – Council of Europe, German Federal Film Fund (DFFF), MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFA German Federal Film Funding in co-production with Film i Väst. In co-operation with TV 2, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and NRK. Co-funded by the European Union. Distribution Nordisk Film Distribution. International sales TrustNordisk.