The official programme for the Cannes Festival 2015 (13-24 May) was launched Thursday in Paris. Announced as part of the line-up are two Danish co-productions backed by the Danish Film Institute.
Norway's "Louder than Bombs" by Joachim Trier is selected for Competition, while Icelandic "The Rams" by Grímúr Hákonarson is selected for Un Certain Regard.
Louder Than Bombs
Danish producers Mikkel Jersin and Bo Ehrhardt of Nimbus Film are onboard Norway's "Louder Than Bombs," directed by Joachim Trier and featuring Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert, Jesse Eisenberg and Devin Druid. The film is shot in New York.
"This is probably the best start a film can have," says Mikkel Jersin, who has been involved as co-producer for three years. "What makes 'Louder Than Bombs' special is Joachim's unique Nordic style in an American context. Joachim and the Danish editor, Olivier Bugge Coutté, have edited the film here with us at Nimbus Film in Copenhagen, so I was able to follow the creative process firsthand."
"As co-producer, I think it is hugely rewarding for a film like 'Louder Than Bombs' to have people from many different countries work closely together to meet a common vision. I am really proud of the result."
A Norwegian-French-Danish co-production, "Louder Than Bombs" is a story of breakaway and unity in a modern family. Photographer Isabelle Reed was killed three years ago, apparently in a car accident. Now her widower Gene wants to tell their youngest son Conrad what really happened, and he asks their eldest, Jonah, to come home and help. But instead Jonah turns against him.
In addition to co-producers Mikkel Jersin and Bo Ehrhardt and editor Olivier Bugge Coutté, Danish participation behind the camera includes Ghost VFX on visual effects.
Norway's Thomas Robsahm has produced for Motlys. "Louder Than Bombs" has received minor co-production funding from the Danish Film Institute.
Icelandic Grímúr Hákonarson's "The Rams," co-produced by Profile Pictures of Denmark, is selected for Un Certain Regard. Photo: Sturla Brandth Grøvlen
The Rams
Grímúr Hákonarson's "The Rams" is an Icelandic feature film co-produced with Ditte Milsted and Jacob Jarek of Danish company Profile Pictures.
"It has been a fantastic production to be part of," says Ditte Milsted. "Jacob Jarek and I have had a very close and honest collaboration with Icelandic producer Grímar Jónsson, and it has laid the foundation for a, hopefully, long and continuous cooperation between us."
"In particular, it was important to us that the director and producer were pleased about our choice of cinephotographer Sturla Brandth Grøvlen and gaffer Aslak Lytthans. It means a lot to us as co-producers that our partners are happy about what we bring to the table. And this prestigious selection for Un Certain Regard has certainly whetted our appetite for more co-productions. We already have several interesting projects in the pipeline."
Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, of Norwegian origin, graduated from the National Film School of Denmark in 2011, the same year as Ditte Milsted and Jacob Jarek. He now lives and works in Denmark. Aslak Lytthans, working in Danish cinema since 1990, has numerous films under his belt. Danish participation also includes executive producer Thor Sigurjonsson.
"The Rams," with the title serving as a metaphor for two warring brothers, takes place in a remote Icelandic farming valley and centres on two brothers who haven't spoken in 40 years. Now they have to come together to save what's dearest to them – their sheep.
Grímar Jónsson has produced for Icelandic Netop Films, and the Danish Film Institute supported the film through its co-production scheme.