CANNES (May 27, 2022) –Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights from TrustNordisk to KING’S LAND, a thrilling new period epic starring Mads Mikkelsen (FANTASTIC BEASTS, INDIANA JONES 5) and produced by Danish production powerhouse Zentropa. The film will be directed by Nikolaj Arcel, and is written by Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen. Jensen and Mikkelsen most recently collaborated on last year’s action-thriller breakout RIDERS OF JUSTICE, and Arcel and Mikkelsen on the Oscar-nominated A ROYAL AFFAIR. Both films were released by Magnolia. KING’S LAND is set to start production this summer.
In the mid-1700s, Danish King Frederik V declared that the wild heath of Jutland should be tamed, cultivated, and colonized so that civilization could spread, and new taxes be generated for the royal house. However, no one dared to follow the King’s decree. The heath meant certain death – a godforsaken place haunted by ravenous wolves, highwaymen, and brutal and unforgiving nature. But in the late summer of 1755, a lone soldier named Ludvig Kahlen rode into the heath in stubborn pursuit of a lifelong dream, determined to reach his goal: the heath would either bring him the wealth and honor he had long sought…or get the better of him.
“We're truly excited to be back in business with Nikolaj, Anders Thomas and Mads,” said Magnolia Pictures President Eamonn Bowles. “This is a momentous project and we can't wait to bring it to audiences.”
"I had the great pleasure of working with the amazing Magnolia team on A ROYAL AFFAIR, and I'm beyond thrilled that they've boarded KING’S LAND at this early stage,” said Arcel. “It feels like coming home."
Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, KING’S LAND is written by Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen. The film is produced by Zentropa Entertainments ApS, in co-production with Zentropa Berlin GmbH, Zentropa Sweden AB, in cooperation with TV2 Denmark, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, SVT and Koch Films. Film i Väst co-produced with the support from Danish Film Institute Markedsordningen, Eurimages, Den Vestdanske Filmpulje, Deutscher Filmförderfonds, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Czech Film Fund and Swedish Film Institute. Developed by the Creative Europe Media Programme – Media of the European Union.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia EVP Dori Begley and SVP of Acquisitions John Von Thaden, and by Susan Wendt of TrustNordisk on behalf of the filmmakers. TrustNordisk is handling international sales.
About MAGNOLIA PICTURES
A leading independent film studio for 20 years, Magnolia Pictures is the theatrical and home entertainment distribution arm of the Wagner/Cuban Companies, boasting a library of over 500 titles. Recent releases include Cannes Critics Week selection ANAIS IN LOVE; Radu Jude’s Berlin Golden Bear-winner BAD LUCK BANGING OR LOONY PORN; double Oscar nominee COLLECTIVE, Alexander Nanau’s jaw-dropping expose of corruption at the highest levels of government; Spirit Award-nominated film SWAN SONG, starring legendary character actor Udo Kier; Prano Bailey-Bond’s Sundance thriller CENSOR; Roy Andersson’s visually stunning Venice Best Director winner ABOUT ENDLESSNESS; SOME KIND OF HEAVEN, Lance Oppenheim’s documentary chronicling the surreal world of The Villages;ZAPPA, Alex Winter’s unfiltered portrait of the iconic musician and artist; THE FIGHT, following a team of scrappy lawyers inside the ACLU; Dawn Porter’s JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE; Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s Cannes Palme d'Or winner and Oscar-nominated SHOPLIFTERS; Oscar-nominated RBG; Ruben Östlund’s Cannes Palme d'Or winner and Oscar-nominated THE SQUARE; and Raoul Peck and James Baldwin’s Oscar-nominated I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO. Upcoming releases include Concordia Studio and Wavelength’s sweeping American West documentary BITTERBRUSH; Martin Scorsese executive-produced documentary DREAMING WALLS: INSIDE THE CHELSEA HOTEL; stranger-than-fiction Sundance documentary MY OLD SCHOOL, starring Alan Cumming; James Morosini’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award-winning comedy I LOVE MY DAD, starring Patton Oswalt; and Sierra Pettengill’s kaleidoscopic all-archival documentary RIOTSVILLE, USA.
About TRUSTNORDISK
Based in Denmark, TrustNordisk is one of the leading sales agents in Europe with a diverse catalogue and decades of experience and close familiarity with the film business, including some of the most seminal Scandinavian auteurs and film makers, such as Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg, May el-Toukhy, Anders Thomas Jensen, Amanda Kernell and Hans Petter Moland. TrustNordisk offers comprehensive knowledge of the profiles and specific preferences of A-list festivals and also works as a creative partner for both the producer and distributor.
Besides sales, TrustNordisk’s expertise includes project development, in depth knowledge of the demand in territories worldwide, targeted positioning and tailored marketing plans, press relations and more.
