TrustNordisk is proud to announce that we have secured the international sales rights for MY FAIRYTALE LIFE (working title), the upcoming feature from acclaimed director Nikolaj Arcel (A ROYAL AFFAIR, THE PROMISED LAND).
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE is an epic feature film about Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who to this date is one of the most beloved authors and storytellers world-wide. 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.
Nikolaj Arcel states:
“Through the magic of his fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen inspired children all over the world, freeing their imaginations and teaching them to be themselves. But, in yearning for recognition and wanting desperately to be seen as “normal”, he lived in constant fear of showing the world who he truly was. The pursuit of happiness, both materialistic and spiritual, is a recurring theme in my feature films. That's why I am fascinated with Hans Christian Andersen, the troubled genius, who spend the best years of his life desperately trying to get love and recognition from all the wrong people. It is a funny, poignant, and deeply contemporary true story, which I can't wait for people to finally see”.
Susan Wendt, Managing Director of TrustNordisk says: "We are looking very much forward to working with Nikolaj again and can’t wait to present this unique and fresh take on the early years of our beloved writer Hans Christian Andersen."
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE marks Nikolaj Arcel’s 7th feature film as a director. Since his debut with KING’S GAME more than two decades ago, Arcel has consolidated his position as a visionary director with a strong grasp of genres and the director behind feature films of high cinematic quality and with international acclaim and appeal. His previous films A ROYAL AFFAIR 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.
MY FAIRYTALE LIFE is currently in financing, and casting has begun. Principal photography is expected to commence in late 2026.
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 produced by Louise Vesth and Tine Mikkelsen for Zentropa Entertainments4 in co-production with Zentropa Berlin GmbH with support from The Danish Film Institute Market Scheme and FilmFyn in co-operation with TV2, Nordisk Film Distribution and Plaion Pictures. Co-funded by the European Union. Domestic distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. TrustNordisk handles international sales.