Arthouse distributor Strand Releasing has taken North American rights for Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud‘s “Love,” which makes its world premiere on Sept. 6 in the main competition of the Venice Film Festival. M-Appeal is handling world sales for the film.
“Love” is the latest entry in Haugerud’s “Sex,” “Love” and “Dreams” trilogy, which delves into modern relationships and intimacy. “Sex,” the first instalment, premiered at the Berlinale.
Strand, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, previously acquired “Sex,” and will release both films theatrically in spring 2025.
Jon Gerrans, co-president of Strand, said: “Haugerud has crafted a wonderfully intelligent, provocative and unique approach to personal, adult relationships, with a sly wink toward our own attitudes toward sex, love and desire.”
“Love” tells the story of Marianne, a pragmatic doctor, and Tor, a compassionate nurse, who both avoid conventional relationships. One evening, after a blind date, Marianne encounters Tor on the ferry. Tor, who often spends his nights there seeking casual encounters with men, shares his experiences of spontaneous intimacy. Intrigued by his perspective, Marianne begins to explore whether casual intimacy could also be an option for her.
Marianne is played by Andrea Bræin Hovig, and Tor is played by Tayo Cittadella Jacobsen.
M-Appeal has already closed deals for the film in France (Pyramide), U.K. and Ireland (Modern Films), Germany and Austria (Alamode), Italy (Wanted Cinema), Benelux (September Film), Spain (Filmin), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Pilot Film), and Switzerland (Xenix Film). All these distributors previously acquired “Sex,” and are planning theatrical releases in their territories.
“Love” is produced by Yngve Sæther and Hege Hauff Hvattum for Motlys, and is coproduced by Oslo Filmfond.
Strand’s other recently acquired titles include “Wild Diamond,” which debuted in Cannes competition, “Viet and Nam,” which was in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, and “Young Hearts,” which was in Berlinale Generation.
Source Agencies
