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
Credits:
Cast: