TrustNordisk Closes North America on ‘Stockholm Bloodbath’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Scandinavia’s top sales agent TrustNordisk has scored major deals on the English-language epic “Stockholm Bloodbath” by Oscar-nominated Mikael Håfström (‘Evil”), which has sold to Brainstorm Media and Sunrise Films for the US and Canada, The Jokers for France and Divisa Red for Spain.
The Claes Bang-vehicle, produced by Helena Danielsson for Viaplay Studios Sweden, is due to screen at the Cannes Market May 18, in a new international version.
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Commenting on their joint acquisition for North America, Brainstorm Media CEO, Michelle Shwarzstein said: “Håfström has infused his elaborate period epic with amazing wit and a sense of humor. We’re excited for audiences to discover this thrill ride of a movie, and to kick off our partnership with Sunrise Films.”
“We are thrilled to be working with our friends at Brainstorm Media to bring Stockholm Bloodbath” to audiences across North America,” added Sunrise Films CEO Rupert Preston and head of US and international distribution Andrew Nerger. “With its frenetic energy, incredible cast and insane action sequences “Stockholm Bloodbath” should prove to be a winner with audiences everywhere.”
Inspired by true events, the large-scale Swedish feature explores a dark chapter in Sweden and Denmark’s history, when nearly 100 nobles and civilians were murdered in Stockholm. Bang of “The Square” fame plays the power-hungry Danish King Christian II, who is determined to seize the Swedish crown at any cost. At the same time, sisters Freja [Alba August of Netflix’s “The Rain”) and Anne (Sophie Cookson of “Kingsman-The Secret Service”) seek revenge on the men who brutally murdered their family. The battle for power and revenge culminates in the infamous mass execution, known as the ‘Stockholm Bloodbath’.
TrustNordisk, which picked up the sales duties from Viaplay Content Distribution last fall, will be negotiating remaining rights at the Cannes market.
Discussing the new cut for the international market, Susan Wendt, TrustNordisk managing director told Variety: “We have been following the project for a very long time, and have been very intrigued by it. But when we came on board, the editing was already closed. Knowing how challenging it can be with a 150-minute film, we opened the talks with the producer.
The international version was developed in close collaboration with both the producer and director to assure the essence and vibe – so distinct in this film- – was kept.”
Rights to the movie were sold earlier by Viaplay Content Distribution to Scanbox Entertainment for the Nordics and Splendid for Germany, Switzerland and Australia.
Alongside “Stockholm Bloodbath,” TrustNordisk is screening at the Cannes market Georg Maas and Judith Kaufmann’s period romance “The Glory of Life” about the celebrated Czech author Franz Kafka’s last love. New clips and scenes will also be unveiled on a dozen upcoming features including Frederik Louis Hviid’s action drama “The Quiet Ones,” the monster movie “Kraken” by genre specialist På Øie, and the animation pic “The Polar Bear Prince”.
Ahead of the Cannes Film Market, sales veteran Wendt underscored the “general optimism from distributors in terms of theatrical in most territories, and the fact that the theatrical window is back on track.”
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