THE PROMISED LAND has been selected for the Pearls section at San Sebastián International Film Festival, marking it the third A-list festival to showcase Mads Mikkelsen in Nikolaj Arcels' film about nature, love, evil, great ambitions and sacrifices (September 22- 30, 2023).
Copenhagen, 18 August 2023 – The selection of Nikolaj Arcel's THE PROMISED LAND for the San Sebastian Film Festival Perlak section, adds to the two prestigious line-ups already in place for Arcel's epic feature – Venice Film Festival's Official Selection revealed in July and as part of Toronto Film Festival's Special Presentations programme revealed only a week ago.
Estimated to be one of Zentropa’s biggest feature films in years, THE PROMISED LAND has already received massive attention in Denmark, within the industry and is highly anticipated globally. Spanish distribution through Divisa Red.
Alberto Blanco Raposo, Sales and Acquisitions Manager at Divisa Red comments:
"From the very first moment we assessed the project of the film we found it very interesting, which was only corroborated by our reading of the script and the first viewing of the completed film. Adding to this the incredible direction by Nikolaj Arcel and great casting headed by Mads Mikkelsen—whom we in Spain all know from Another Round and Riders of Justice among many others, — it invites us to believe that film will have a great reception in Spain."
Mads Mikkelsen in the lead
Inspired by true events, the film is about one man's steely quest to create his own fortune and to change the map of Denmark forever. But in his pursuit of wealth and honor, he risks sacrificing love and losing those he cares about. Mads Mikkelsen (INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY, 2023; ANOTHER ROUND, 2020) stars in the leading role of the first explorer to take on the heath, Captain Ludvig Kahlen alongside Amanda Collin (RAISED BY WOLVES, 2020-22), Simon Bennebjerg (BORGEN, 2022) together with Gustav Lindh (RIDERS OF JUSTICE, 2020; QUEEN OF HEARTS, 2019) and Kristine Kujath Thorp (SICK OF MYSELF, 2022). Directed by academy award-nominated director, Nikolaj Arcel (A ROYAL AFFAIR, 2012) and co-scripted with Danish screenwriter and director Anders Thomas Jensen (RIDERS OF JUSTICE, 2020).
THE PROMISED LAND is produced by Louise Vesth (THE KINGDOM EXODUS, 2022; A ROYAL AFFAIR, 2012; MELANCHOLIA, 2011) for Zentropa Entertainments.
Synopsis
In 1755, the impoverished Captain Ludvig Kahlen sets out to conquer the harsh, uninhabitable Danish heath with a seemingly impossible goal; to build a colony in the name of the King. In exchange, he'll receive a desperately desired Royal name for himself. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel, arrogantly believes this land belongs to him. When de Schinkel learns that the maid Ann Barbara and her serve husband have escaped for refuge with Kahlen, the privileged and spiteful ruler swears revenge, doing everything in his power to drive the captain away. Kahlen will not be intimidated and takes up the unequal battle - not only risking his life, but also the family of outsiders that has formed around him.
THE PROMISED LAND is a gripping story about the conquest of the heath, the tale of a proud and uncompromising man, and the woman who becomes his ally in the fight against evil, death and perdition.
Produced by ZENTROPA ENTERTAINMENTS in co-production with ZENTROPA BERLIN, ZENTROPA SWEDEN and FILM I VÄST with support from DANISH FILM INSTITUTE MARKEDSORDNINGEN, DEN VESTDANSKE FILMPULJE, EURIMAGES, CZECH FILM FUND, MITTELDEUTSCHE MEDIENFÖRDERUNG, MOIN FILM FUND HAMBURG SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, MEDIENBOARD BERLIN-BRANDENBURG, DEUTSCHER FILMFÖRDERFONDS, SVENSKA FILMINSTITUTET HEDESELSKABET in cooperation with TV 2, NORDISK FILM & TV FOND, PLAION PICTURES, SVT Developed by THE CREATIVE EUROPE PROGRAMME – MEDIA OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Distribution NORDISK FILM DISTRIBUTION International sales TRUSTNORDISK
© 2023 ZENTROPA ENTERTAINMENTS 4, ZENTROPA BERLIN GMBH and ZENTROPA SWEDEN AB
THE PROMISED LAND has sold to more than 50 territories worldwide and will be released widely in Denmark on 5 October 2023.
International publicist:
Claudia Tomassini / press@claudiatomassini.com