New York (September 18, 2013) - US distributor Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights for Lukas Moodysson´s WE ARE THE BEST! from TrustNordisk, sales agent on behalf of producer Memfis Film. The deal was negotiated between Susan Wendt , Head of Sales at TrustNordisk and Peter Van Steemburg, Director of Acquisitions at Magnolia Pictures.
“WE ARE THE BEST! left all of us grinning from ear to ear,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “It´s sweet, charming and funny, with a punk rock spirit that´s more authentic than all the modern day bands claiming the title. It´s easily one of the exceptionally talented Lukas Moodysson´s best films.”
“We are so happy to be working with Magnolia on this film,” said CEO at TrustNordisk, Rikke Ennis. “I have no doubt that they will do a great job on the film and I am sure that the American audience will embrace the film. Punk is not dead at all!”
World Premiering at Venice International Film Festival last month to excellent reviews and with the success continuing at Toronto International Film Festival this month, WE ARE THE BEST! has been a real attraction for distributors worldwide. Besides the North American deal with Magnolia Pictures, TrustNordisk has also sold the film to more than 25 countries including key territories such as UK, Australia, Benelux and Italy with more territories currently in negotiation.
Following critically acclaimed features such as SHOW ME LOVE AKA FUCKING AMAL,TOGETHER and LILYA 4-EVER, WE ARE THE BEST! is Lukas Moodysson´s 7th feature film and revolves around Bobo, Klara and Hedvig, three young outsiders in 1980s Stockholm who despite their differences find unity in music and form a punk band without having any instruments and even though everybody says that punk is dead.
WE ARE THE BEST! is produced by Lars Jönsson for Memfis Film, co-produced by Film I Väst, SVT and Zentropa in co-operation with Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) and with support from the Swedish Film Institute, The Danish Film Institute and Nordisk Film and TV Fond.
Domestic release in Sweden is set for October 11th 2013. Magnolia will release the film in 2014.