Scandinavian sales heavyweight TrustNordisk has acquired international rights to Maria Sodal’s “The Last Resort” (“Ø”). The Norwegian writer-director’s previous drama “Hope,” starring Stellan Skarsgård and Andrea Brian Hovig, has secured a place on the 2021 Oscars shortlist.
In her first Danish picture, she is co-written by Eski Troelstrup (“Shadow of Victory”) and Therese Haasmann, and leading actors Danica Korcic (“The Chestnut Man,” “Silent Heart”) and Espen Smed (“Families Like Ours,” “Lucky Man” )” They play a couple vacationing at an exclusive resort on a Greek island with their daughters. When a stranger suddenly approaches them and asks for help, they agree to help him, but when he asks for more, they begin to fear for their safety.
“My previous films are unashamedly autobiographical,” Sudal said. “The Last Resort” begins with a larger story with a more complex world. A story in which our Norse heroes start out as diplomatic humanists, until their xenophobia leads them to act paranoid, primitive, and violent. The suspense is strong, and the outlook is unsentimental, in a story about us, for us, and by us.”
“Your basic humanitarian beliefs are put to the ultimate test in this film, as the act of helping others turns into a moral dilemma,” said Nikolai Korsgaard, TrustNordisk Sales Director. “The film addresses a major global crisis, making it timely and relevant to a wider audience.”
Thomas Robsham, of Nordisk Film Production (“Worst Person in the World”) who previously collaborated with Sødahl on “Hope,” is producing with Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen (“Twin”). Norwegian Eye Eye Pictures (“Armand”) is co-producing, with support from the Danish Film Institute, the Norwegian Film Institute, and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, in collaboration with TV2 Danish.
Other TrustNordisk features to be shown at the Gothenburg Film Festival’s Film Market include works in progress such as “Home” from actress-turned-director Marijana Janković, Mary Storstein’s “My First Love” and four completed films being presented at the market: “The Sundance-selected” “Sauna” by Matthias Brou, “Labours of Love” by Jeppe Runde, and “Three Men and a Velma” by Charlotte Bloom. Göteborg Festival opener entitled “Safe House” by Erik Svensson.
The Nordic Film Market starts in Gothenburg in January. 29-31.