TrustNordisk is proud to announce that we have picked up the international sales rights for the upcoming Norwegian Viking drama, STIKLESTAD, and will present the project to the international market for the first time at this year’s AFM, which kicks off in Los Angeles on November 10th.
STIKLESTAD is currently in financing, and a script and mood reel will be available for distributors on the project, which is expected to head into production next year with a release currently set for 2029.
Set at the end of the Viking Age and inspired by true events, STIKLESTAD is an epic drama about faith, power, and vengeance. The story traces the inevitable collision between a crusading king determined to conquer Norway in God’s name, and an enslaved pagan blacksmith forced to arm his ranks.
STIKLESTAD will be directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg. Erik Skjoldbjærg had his international break through with the Norwegian thriller INSOMNIA, starring Stellan Skarsgård in 1997. His debut feature was later, in 2022, remade in English under the same name and directed by Christopher Nolan. INSOMNIA was followed by PROZAC NATION starring Christina Ricci. Since then, Skjoldbjærg has directed numerous feature films and episodes for tv-series. His latest film, the epic WWII-feature NARVIK became a huge audience and box office hit in 2022. STIKLESTAD will be Skjoldbjærg’s 8th feature film.
“We are happy to be on board this legendary Viking saga with a fearless female lead and from the director and team behind Narvik. We can’t wait for the world to join this unique battlefield”, says Susan Wendt, Managing Director of TrustNordisk.
SYNOPSIS:
The year is 1030. As King Olav Haraldsson wages a brutal campaign to unite Norway under one throne and one God, Aud, a gifted blacksmith, sees her world torn apart. Captured alongside her sister during Olav’s conquest, she is forced to forge weapons of war for the king who enslaved her. But a burning rage and hunger for vengeance awakens in the flames.
STIKLESTAD will be produced by Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen for Nordisk Film Production, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute and Filminvest. The film is directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg from a screenplay by Kathrine Valen Zeiner and Maren Skolem. Executive producers are Kathrine Vogelsang and Sveinung Golimo. Nordic distribution through Nordisk Film Distribution. International sales by TrustNordisk.