Zentropa Entertainments28 presents Nikolaj Arcel’s epic A ROYAL AFFAIR

27-04-2011

 

In Danish history, there probably

isn´t a more dramatic love story than the affair between Chr. VII´s German

physician, Johan Struensee, and the English born queen of Denmark, Caroline Mathilda in the early 1770´s. During the

past 40 years, several screen adaptations of this emotional chapter in Danish history

have been on the drawing board, but it isn´t until now, with Nikolaj Arce´s A

ROYAL AFFAIR, that a Danish feature film about one of the country´s most

fascinating dramas reaches the silver screen.

 

Zentropa Entertainments25 proudly presents Nikolaj

Arce´s upcoming epic A ROYAL AFFAIR, currently under production in The Czech Republic.

The drama of Struensee, Caroline Mathilda and Chr. VII, starring Mads Mikkelsen as Johan Struensee and

Alicia Vikander as Caroline Mathilda. Also featuring Trine Dyrholm and David

Dencik  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A ROYAL AFFAIR is

Zentropa´s first historical period film and one of the company´s most ambitious

feature film productions to date - a royal drama - about faith in all that is

good and dreams of a new beginning.

 

Centering on the intriguing love triangle between the

ever more insane Christian VII, the man of enlightenment and idealism

Struensee, and the young but strong queen Caroline Mathilda, A ROYAL AFFAIR

is the gripping tale of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an

entire nation, but also a drama about brave idealists that risked everything in

their pursuit of freedom for an entire people.

 

 

 

Mikkelsen and shooting star Vikander in the

front

 

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who has just

finished UK

director Paul Anderson´s new version of THE THREE MUSKETEERS, will play the

lead as Johan Struensee.  Mads Mikkelsen is well know

and highly acclaimed for his international roles in films such as CASINOE

ROYALE, COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY and CLASH OF THE TITANS. He will be

joined by the beautiful, Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, portraying Caroline

Mathilda, who in her relationship with Struensee grows from a young, vulnerable

virgin to a mature and socially aware woman and queen. Alicia Vikander was

recently selected as an EFP Shooting Star at the Berlinale and

has just landed a considerable role in the new blockbuster adventure film THE

SEVENTH SON from Warner Brothers, starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

 

Substantial supporting roles are also

played by well know actors. Following her award-winning effort

in the Oscar-winning IN A BETTER WORLD, Danish actor Trine Dyrholm will portray

the scheming queen mother Julianne Marie, and in the role of the religious and

power-lusting Ove Goldberg is David Dencik who will be seen later this year in

Spielberg´s upcoming war drama WAR HORSE as well as David Fincher´s American

remake of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY with

Oscar-winner Colin Firth.

 

 

 

Experienced forces behind the lens

 

It is experienced hands that are brining A ROYAL

AFFAIR to the screen. Following his success with award-winning KING´S GAME,

ISLAND

OF LOST SOULS

and most recently the comedy TRUTH ABOUT MEN, Nikolaj Arcel is ready to direct

his first period film. Penned together with Rasmus Heisterberg, who co-wrote

Arce´s award-winning King´s Game

(KING´S GAME) and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO amongst

others. Nikolaj Arcel surrounds himself with his regular creative staff.

 

The producing trio of A ROYAL AFFAIR consists

of Sisse Graum Jørgensen, Meta Louise Foldager and Peter Aalbæk Jensen. Foldager

produced Lars von Trier´s Antichrist and upcoming Palme d´Or nominee

MELANCHOLIA, while Jørgensen produced Susanne Bier´s Golden Globe

and Oscar-winner IN A BETTER WORLD.

 

The film is shooting on location in The Czech

Republic (with a short trip to Dresden), where the production has been granted

access to a number of impressive, historical buildings from the period - and

where streets still exist that can be dressed to a 18th century look. The

historical Christiansborg

Castle,

which burned to the ground, will be digitally rebuilt for the film in 3D.

 

The film is being produced by Zentropa

Entertainments28 in cooperation with Trollhättan Film AB and Film i Väst in Sweden, Sirena

Film in The Czech Republic and Zentropa Entertainments Berlin.  The film

is also supported by West Danish Film Fund, Swedish Television, Czech Film

Commission under Ministerstvo Kultury, MDM Leipzig Film Fund, Nordisk Film

& TV-Fond, Eurimages and The Media Programme of the European Union. 

 

A ROYAL

AFFAIR is budgeted at €6m and has been supported by The Danish Film Institute and

Eurimages with €0.8m and €0.5m, respectively. Nordisk Film Distribution will

release domestically, while TrustNordisk handles international sales.

 

 

Domestic release: March 15th, 2012

 

For more information, please contact:

 

PR &

Marketing Manager / TrustNordisk

 

Alexandra

Emilia Kida

 

+45 2172

4326

 

alexandra(at)trustnordisk.com

 

 

 

 

 

Credits:

 

 

 

  • Director: Nikolaj Arcel
  • Screenplay: Nikolaj Arcel and Rasmus Heisterberg
  • Producers: Sisse Graum Jørgensen, Peter Aalbæk and Meta Louise Foldager
  • Director of Photography: Rasmus Videbæk
  • Set Desiger: Niels Sejer
  • Costume Designer: Manon Rasmussen
  • Editors: Mikkel E.G. Nielsen and Kasper Leick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Financiers, Denmark: Zentropa Entertainments25, the Danish Film Institute and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation
  • Financiers, Sweden: Trollhättan Film AB, Film i Väst, Swedish Television
  • Financiers, The Czech Republic: Sirena Film, Czech Film Commission under Ministerstvo Kultury
  • Financiers, Germany: Zentropa Entertainments Berlin, MDM Leipzig Film Fund
  • Supported by: Nordisk Film & TV-Fond, Eurimages, and EU´s Media program
  • Distribution: Nordisk Film Distribution
  • International sales: TrustNordisk
  • Budget: DKK 45.5 mio. (with a DKK 7.5 mio. subsidy from the Danish Film Institute)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast:

 

  • Johan Struensee - Mads Mikkelsen
  • Caroline Mathilda - Alicia Vikander
  • Christian VII - Mikkel Boe Følsgaard
  • Julianne Marie - Trine Dyrholm
  • Goldberg - David Dencik
  • Bernstorff - Bent Mejding
  • Enevold Brandt - Cyron Melville
  • Rantzau - Thomas Gabrielsson
  • Reventlow - John Martinus
  • Von Plessen - Laura Bro
  • Natasha - Rosaline Mynster
  • Hartmann - Søren Malling
  • Munster - Søren Spanning
  • The prince heir - Frederik Christian Johansen
  • Frederik, 15 years - William Jøhnk Nielsen
  • Louise Augusta, 12 years - Julia W. Olsen
  • Catherine the Boot - Nikol Koukllová
  • Moranti - Eyob Nielsen
  • Also appearing: Jacob Lohmann, Frank Rubæk, Søren Poppel, Klaus Tange, Karin Rørbech and a large international ensemble