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“Stockholm Bloodbath” is a brave retelling of a dark part of Scandinavian history in the turbulent world of historical action movies. The movie, directed by Mikael Håfström, takes viewers into the harsh world of Sweden in the 1600s, turning a famous historical massacre into a shocking, genre-bending movie experience.

The movie takes place in 1520 and is based on the real-life Stockholm Bloodbath when Danish King Christian II killed many Swedish lords. That being said, this isn’t your average historical thriller. Håfström tells a crazy, stylized story that purposely isn’t very true to history. This makes the movie more like a humorous historical action movie like “Inglourious Basterds” than a typical period piece.

The movie takes a risky approach by combining exploitation film methods with modern storytelling methods. Claes Bang as King Christian II, Sophie Cookson, and Alba August are among the many famous actors in the show. They...

A ruthless political struggle between Sweden and Denmark turns bloody under the tyranny of the mad King Christian II. Caught up in this deadly war, two sisters seek revenge on the men who brutally murdered their family.   Mikael Håfström's action adventure Stockholm Bloodbath comes to cinemas and On Demand tomorrow, Friday, November 8th. We have an exclusive clip from the distributor Brainstorm Media to share with you today. We chose the clip with a fair share of carnage in it, an assault on a wedding.    If anyone has any objections to this marriage speak now - preferably not with a sword - or forever hold your peace. Jakob Oftebro and Claes Bang look on as their soldiers attack a wedding party, then decide...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

“A great deal of this actually happened,” states one of the many opening text cards in Stockholm Bloodbath. This is after giving us the exposition that the Danish King Kristian II has placed himself in Sweden to settle some political issues, and this is putting it kindly. In 1502, the world was still feral, and acted as such, kings leading the way into idiocy and violence in the name of heresy. The “great deal” quote lets us know that the film will be taking liberties in the name of artistic license, and that’s fine. In the initial set up of the Swedish wedding, the Danes declare the Swedes treasonous for having dared to call out a particularly bad apple. The Danes attack and kill most...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

When it comes to nailing the pure entertainment factor, director Mikael Håfström hardly misses, whipping up a frenzy of fun flicks such as Escape Plan and Outside the Wire. Stockholm Bloodbath‘s name alone promises an onslaught of mayhem and carnage, and the action-packed film largely lives up to this; however, one can’t help but feel […]

Stockholm Bloodbath Movie Review – Mikael Håfström’s Historical Action Comedy Suffers an Identity Crisis Written by Sergio Pereira for Fortress of Solitude...

A ruthless political struggle between Sweden and Denmark turns bloody under the tyranny of the mad King Christian II. Caught up in this deadly war, two sisters seek revenge on the men who brutally murdered their family. This looks like a hoot. Mikael Håfström's action-adventure comedy Stockholm Bloodbath is coming to cinemas and On Demand on November 8th from Brainstorm Media. It just looks like one big rollicking adventure flick with big set pieces and smaller melees. Perfect to dive into without much effort. The official trailer and poster have been released, check out the trailer down below.  Inspired by one of the bloodiest and darkest events in Scandinavia, making it an epic portrayal of history. Featuring a star-studded cast of international actors, including Sophie Cookson (Kingsman-The Secret Service), Claes Bang (The...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

"Today's the perfect day for bloodbath." Brainstorm Media has revealed the official US trailer for an action epic about a real moment in history titled Stockholm Bloodbath, yet another new film made by Swedish director Mikael Håfström. He also directed this year's Slingshot, but this film was finished before that one and premiered in Sweden last year - only now getting a US release. Anne and Freja seek revenge on the men who murdered their family. They end up in Stockholm, where they are drawn into a political power struggle between Sweden and Denmark which culminates in a mass execution. Featuring a big cast of international actors, including Sophie Cookson, Claes Bang, and Alba August, Stockholm Bloodbath is an action, adventure, and comedy that follows two sisters who seek revenge on the powerful men who brutally slayed their family. The cast also features Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Jakob Oftebro, Ulrich Thomsen,...

Known for 2003’s “Evil” and the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s short story “1408,” Swedish filmmaker Mikael Håfström follows up 2023’s “Stockholm Bloodbath,” with his new sci-fi film “Slingshot.” The film stars the notable pair of Laurence Fishburne and Casey Affleck, two famous actors who have never been paired up together like this before.

Continue reading ‘Slingshot’ Trailer: Casey Affleck & Laurence Fishburne Star In A New Haunting Space Film at The Playlist.

Copenhagen-based TrustNordisk has just picked up international rights to the Danish drama “Home” by actor-turned director Marijana Jankovic (“The House that Jack Built”).

For her debut feature after 2019’s multi-awarded short film “Maja,” a best short winner at Tribeca, Jankovic has assembled an impressive A-list international cast.

This includes Dejan Cukic (“Snabba Cash”), Nada Sargin (“The Mould”), Zlatko Buric (“Triangle of Sadness”), Claes Bang (“The Square”), Jesper Christensen, Trine Dyrholm (“The Girl With the Needle”) and Lene Maria Christensen (“Unruly”).

Based on a script co-penned by Jankovic with the seasoned Bo Hr. Hansen, behind Thomas Vinterberg’s upcoming series “Families like Ours,” a hit at MipTV, and Babak Vakili (“Outlaw”), the story is inspired by the director’s own experience, and feelings of and reflections on uprootedness.

Aged six, she moved from Montenegro to Denmark with her parents, but feeling homesick, she returned to her grandmother’s care. A year later,...

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.

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...

Copenhagen-based TrustNordisk has inked multiple deals on the Danish thriller “Boundless,” based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s “Department Q” novel, which is currently dominating the Danish box office.

Ahead of the pic’s market screening Feb 17 at the Berlin European Film Market, the title, helmed by Ole Christian Madsen has sold to Wild Bunch Distribution for France, Vértigo Films for Spain, Frenetic Films for Switzerland, Film Europe Slovakia for Czech Republic, Vertigo Media for Hungary and Contents Panda for Korea.

“Boundless” is the second of six Department Q thrillers produced by Nordisk Film Production Denmark, after “The Marco Effect,” headlining Ulrich Thomsen as maverick detective Carl Mørck.

“It’s such a pleasure to handle this amazing ‘Department Q’ saga for Vértigo, and “Boundless” confirms again the power and seduction of this perfect thriller,” said Spanish distributor Andres Martín from Vértigo Films, who also acquired “The Marco Effect” from TrustNordisk.

In “Boundless,...

The box office performance of buzzy awards season frontrunners like Poor Things and The Holdovers have taken a significant dent in Sweden as the AMC-owned Filmstaden, the country’s largest cinema chain, was unable to sell tickets to patrons due to a malicious cyber-attack.

Filmstaden and several local companies were struck down by the hack, which had originally been aimed at Swedish It provider Tietoevry. Local media reports have identified the Russian-backed hacker group Akira as the perpetrator.

From January 19-27, Filmstaden cinema locations were unable to sell tickets to screenings online or through its popular online app. The option to purchase snacks and soft drinks was also down. Visitors to Svenska Bio, a smaller boutique subsidiary of Filmstaden and Sweden’s second-largest chain, faced similar disruptions as their computers fell to the hack.

Guests who pre-booked tickets before the hack were not affected and could still use their tickets.

Line-up for the 25th edition of the market includes 16 completed features, 15 Wip, 17 films in development.

Films by Sweat director Magnus von Horn and Margrete: Queen of the North filmmaker Charlotte Sieling will be presented at the 25th Nordic Film Market (January 31-February 2), the film marketplace of Goteborg Film Festival.

The projects are among the 15 Nordic films in post-production being showcased in the Works in Progress strand.

Scroll down for the full Market selection

Swedish director von Horn attends with The Girl With The Needle, a horror story set in 1910s Denmark, starring Trine Dyrholm and produced by Creative Alliance’s Malene Blenkov.

Industry talks include masterclass with David F Sandberg and Stockholm Bloodbath case study.

The Stockholm International Film Festival will honour filmmakers including Ken Loach (lifetime achievement award), Ethan Hawke (achievement award) and Catherine Breillat (visionary award) at its 2023 festival, which runs Nov 8-19.

The festival will open with Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, winner of Venice’s Golden Lion.

In all, the festival will screen 130 films from 50 countries. The country focus this year is the UK – with selections including How To Have Sex by Molly Manning Walker, In Camera by Naqqash Khalid, and All Of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh.

Other...

Jessica Chastain To Head Marrakech Film Festival Jury

Jessica Chastain has been set as the head of the competition jury at this year’s Marrakech Film Festival, running November 24 to December 2. The jury awards the Étoile d’Or award to one of the fourteen films by first- or second-time directors in the festival’s international competition. “I am honored to serve as the jury president for the esteemed Marrakech International Film Festival, marking its 20th edition this year, and am excited to return to the Festival having last attended in 2011,” Chastain said. “Being entrusted with this role is a privilege, and I look forward to celebrating incredible global talent within the world of cinema.” Marrakech returns this year with a bumper schedule, including a special appearance by Killers Of The Flower Moon filmmaker.

Kedoo Hires Former New Regency Exec

Kedoo Entertainment has hired former New Regency, Lionsgate, and Entertainment One...

Viaplay Group has unveiled its new operating model and executive management team for the Nordics as it anticipates an economic downturn. Earlier this month, Viaplay issued a warning over its second-quarter results and told employees that it would merge the Swedish and Norwegian units of its production arm into a new entity named Viaplay Studios.

The listed banner also has new leadership — Anders Jensen stepped down and was replaced by Jorgen Madsen Lindemann as Viaplay’s CEO and president.

Under the new operating model, which will be effective on July 1, the daily operation and strategic development of the businesses will be spearheaded by country management teams. Madsen Lindemann will be interim CEO of the Swedish and Finnish operations; Lars Bo Jeppesen has been appointed as EVP and CEO of the Danish and Icelandic operations and will join on Aug. 1.; and Kenneth Andresen has been appointed as interim CEO of the Norwegian operation.

Days before Viaplay issued a warning over its second-quarter results, the listed Scandinavian streaming giant told employees on June 1 in an internal memo that it would merge the Swedish and Norwegian units of its production arm, Viaplay Studios, into a new entity, effective immediately.

The new umbrella, named Viaplay Studios Nordics, is headed by Ørjan Karlsen, the producer of “The Wave,” who was previously CEO of Viaplay Studios Norway. Under the strategic move, Alexander Tanno, who headed Viaplay Studios Sweden, has left the company, Variety has confirmed. The company also proceeded with layoffs, representing a “single-digit cut,” according to a source close to the company.

On June 8, Viaplay announced that its short-term outlook for 2023 was down. Viaplay said it expects to close the second quarter with 7.7 million subscribers, with sales between $414 million and $395 million; and a negative Ebit between $23 million and $27 million. Advertising revenues are expected to be down between...

Exclusive: Viaplay has merged its in-house Swedish and Norwegian studios, leading to several layoffs.

The group stressed that the move, which has led to the creation of the newly-titled Viaplay Studios Nordics, is unrelated to the shock news that emerged earlier this week when Group CEO Anders Jensen resigned with immediate effect amidst poorer-than expected financials and a rapidly deteriorating ad market.

Viaplay Studios Sweden and Norway produced numerous in-house shows and movies for the Nordic streamer such as Oscar-winner Lasse Hallström’s Hilma biopic and upcoming feature Stockholm Bloodbath.

The newly-combined outfit will be led by former Viaplay Studios Norway boss Ørjan Karlsen, who reports into Azra Osmancevic, VP Operations Nordics. Alexander Tanno, who ran Viaplay Studios Sweden, is one of several layoffs. Viaplay continues to run Cee-based indie Paprika Studios.

The plan had been in the offing for some time, a spokesman stressed, becoming effective June 1, a few...

Viaplay Content Distribution has closed the first raft of deals for its ambitious action drama film “Stockholm Bloodbath” directed by Mikael Håfström.

Ahead of Viaplay’s official streaming premiere in 2024, “Stockholm Bloodbath” will be distributed in the Nordics by Scanbox Entertainment. It will roll out in Denmark on Jan. 18th and in Sweden and Norway on Jan. 19. Splendid Film, meanwhile, has acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland.

“Stockholm Bloodbath” is part of Viaplay Content Distribution’s roster which will be unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival to international buyers. The company will present new and exclusive material from the film.

Set in 1520, “Stockholm Bloodbath” explores a dark chapter in Sweden’s history, which saw the infamous massacre of nearly 100 nobles and civilians in the Swedish capital. The film follows Anne (Sophie Cookson) and her foster sister Freja (Alba August) as they seek revenge on the men who...

Scandinavian storytelling is looking to grow its North American fanbase further as streamer Viaplay launched in the U.S. on Wednesday and is next setting its eyes on Canada.

The streaming service ended 2022 with more than 7.3 million subscribers, with 37 percent, or nearly 2.7 million, of them being outside the Nordics, namely the Baltic countries, the U.K., Poland and the Netherlands. Now, Viaplay has debuted in the U.S. and will further expand to Canada on March 7.

Overseeing the latest international expansion is Vanda Rapti, Viaplay Group Chief Commercial Officer, North America & Viaplay Select. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she explained the appeal of Nordic Noir, why Viaplay has more than that to offer and how the service will fit into a competitive streaming landscape.

Viaplay is known as a big player in the genre of Nordic Noir. How appealing is that to people in North America and is that your main selling point?...

The award comes with 38,000, making it one of the world’s largest film prizes.

Goteborg’s lucrative Dragon Award for best Nordic film has gone to Danish director Malou Reymann’s second feature Unruly.

The drama premiered at Toronto and had its Swedish premiere at Goteborg. TrustNordisk handles sales and the Danish cinema release is planned for spring 2023.

Reymann previously directed Rotterdam Big Screen winner A Perfectly Normal Family.

Unruly is about the Sprogø Women’s Institution in the 1930s, when “morally feeble” girls and women were sent to the island to become more compliant. The story focuses on Maren,...

Lorne Balfe, the Grammy Award winning score composer of “Dark Knight,” “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” has joined the top notch key crew of “Stockholm Bloodbath,” Mikael Håfström’s epic adventure movie produced by Viaplay Studios.

Balfe, whose prestigious credits also include “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” “His Dark Materials” and “Genius,” is creating the score for “Stockholm Bloodbath” in collaboration with Steffen Thum, an up-and-coming German composer.

The female-led epic adventure movie, which marks Viaplay’s second English-language film original following “Hilma,” lensed in Prague and Budapest, and wrapped shooting two weeks ago. The prominent cast includes Sophie Cookson (“Kingsman: The Golden Circle”), Claes Bang, Emily Beecham (“Cruella”) and Alba August (“Becoming Astrid”). Adam Pålsson (“Young Wallander”), Matias Varela (“Assassin’s Creed”), Ulrich Thomsen (“The Blacklist”) and Jakob Oftebro (“Black Crab”) complete the cast.

Set in 1520, “Stockholm Bloodbath” explores a dark chapter in Sweden’s history, which saw the infamous...