‘Vernissage’ selected for the 2023 Palm Springs International Shortfest

The lineup for the prestigious Palm Springs International Shortfest has been unveiled and among carefully curated selection is Arvin Kananian’s film Vernissage.

Vernissage is directed by Arvin Kananian, and written by Kananian together with Nina Mårshagen. In the lead role we see Mårshagen as Siván and Kalled Mustonen as Simon.

Palm Springs International ShortFest, renowned for its predictive power in awards recognition, has showcased more than 100 films over its illustrious 29-year history that later received Academy Award nominations. The festival is set to take place at the Camelot Theatres from June 20-26.

Johnny Wohlin Photo: Johnny Wohlin

Jens Lapidus’ best-selling novel Paradis City to become major Viaplay drama

The Viaplay group is set to adapt Jens Lapidus’ bestseller Paradis City into a major TV-series headlined by some of the Nordic region’s most exciting screen talents. Set in Sweden in a not-too-distant future, the TV-series will star Alexander Abdallah (Snabba Cash) and Julia Ragnarsson, and is directed by Fenar Ahmad.

The six-part TV-series will commence filming this summer, in Stockholm and Vilnius.

Horst & Enger No. 1 in Norway

Scars, the fourth book in the Blix & Ramm series, debuts on the bestseller list for paperbacks this week. This just ahead of the publication of Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger’s fifth jointly written book, Victim.

‘The Night House’ published in Norway

When the voices call, don’t answer.

In the wake of his parents’ tragic deaths in a house fire, fourteen-year-old Richard Elauved has been sent to live with his aunt and uncle in the remote, insular town of Ballantyne. Richard quickly earns a reputation as an outcast, and when a classmate named Tom goes missing, everyone suspects the new, angry boy is responsible for his disappearance. No one believes him when he says the telephone booth out by the edge of the woods sucked Tom into the receiver like something out of a horror movie. No one, that is, except Karen, a beguiling fellow outsider who encourages Richard to pursue clues the police refuse to investigate. He traces the number that Tom prank-called from the phone booth to an abandoned house in the Mirror Forest. There he catches a glimpse of a terrifying face in the window. And then the voices begin to whisper in his ear . . .

She’s going to burn. The girl you love is going to burn. There’s nothing you can do about it.

When another classmate disappears, Richard must find a way to prove his innocence—and preserve his sanity—as he grapples with the dark magic that is possessing Ballantyne and pursuing his destruction.

Then again, Richard may not be the most reliable narrator of his own story . . .

The Night House is Jo Nesbo’s twisted spin on the classic horror story.

‘The Cousin’ published in Sweden

Forty-year-old Fanny has just separated from her partner and feels in some way relieved but is nevertheless without a place to live and in desperate need of a fresh start. At a family reunion, she meets her amiable and successful cousin Ulrika and her wealthy husband. When the couple invites Fanny to spend the summer with them, Fanny surprises herself by accepting.

The summer at the Onsala Peninsula looks promising with a lot of fun and social activities. But as the honeymoon-phase of their friendship turns into everyday trudges, the frictions come creeping. When a night out ends in desperate measures, Fanny soon finds herself caught in a triangle where she questions who Ulrika really is. What’s even worse: she starts questioning herself.

The Cousin is a dark, psychological thriller about trust, guilt, and self-deception. Klas Ekman skillfully depicts people in crucial moments of their lives and can masterfully describe the perception of ourselves in our own eyes as well as in others.

‘Killing Moon’ No. 1 in Hungary

Jo Nesbø’s 13th installment in the Harry Hole series, Killing Moon, has gone straight to No. 1 on the Hungarian bestseller list upon publication.

‘The JerryMaya Detective Agency’ tops list of most borrowed books in Stockholm

Martin Widmark and Helena Willis’ The JerryMaya Detective Agency is the undisputable favorite of the past decade, topping the list of the most borrowed books at the Stockholm City libraries. Six out of ten volumes on the list are titles from the immensely popular series.

‘The Year I Started Masturbating’ released on Netflix

The Year I Started Masturbating is now available to watch on Netflix, worldwide.

The romantic comedy, which premiered in Swedish theaters in October 2022, was Erika Wasserman’s directorial debut and was met with fantastic reviews.

‘The Search for the Viking Treasure’ published in Norway

A thousand years ago there was a Viking village just outside Elvestad. The valuable treasure of the Viking king Hagbard was hidden somewhere nearby and has never been found. Now, the Detective Agency No. 2 have set out on a quest together with Roar Redbeard to find the treasure. Perhaps an old runestone can help them on their way?

Pay close attention and keep your eyes open throughout The Search for the Viking Treasure. The pictures hold traces, clues, codes, and hints for young detectives.

The Search for the Viking Treasure is the eleventh activity book in the Detective Agency No. 2 series.

Frida Kempff to direct ‘The Swedish Torpedo’

Frida Kempff will direct The Swedish Torpedo, a new period drama inspired by the life of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim across the English Channel.

The story is set in 1939, a time when Europe is on the brink of war. Sally, a 30-year-old single mum, dreams of being the first Scandinavian woman to cross the English Channel. While both society and her family urge her to follow her duties as a mother, she breaks conventions to pursue her dreams. The cast is toplined by Josefin Neldén (Border, 438 Days), Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (A Royal Affair, Borgen) and Lisa Carlehed (The Emigrants).

The project will commence filming in August in Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and in the UK.

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