Frenetic Films takes Swiss rights to Locarno Competition entry Solomamma
Zurich-based Frenetic Films has acquired Swiss distribution rights to Janicke Askevold’s feature debut Solomamma, ahead of its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival where it is screening as part of the International Competition. The deal was announced by the film’s international sales agent, Playtime, which also confirmed additional sales to Italy (Teodora), Benelux (Imagine), Israel (New Cinema) and Hungary (Budapest Film), alongside Scanbox which is to release the film in Scandinavia. Discussions are currently underway for additional territories.
"We are delighted that Frenetic is our partner for the distribution of Solomamma in Switzerland,” says Playtime co-CEO Sébastien Beffa. “We have built up a strong relationship over many years and are very confident that they will do an excellent job of promoting this highly contemporary film, with its sharp insight from a director who I believe will continue to build on this promising start."
“Frenetic Films has been following exciting Norwegian filmmaking for several years now,” adds co-director Mischa Schiwow. “After Louder than Bombs and The Worst Person in the World, this year our company is to bring a third Joachim Trier film, Sentimental Value, to cinemas. Following Armand by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, we are delighted to bring Solomamma by Janicke Askevold, another newcomer from Norway, to Swiss cinemas.”
“Frenetic is a high end distributor that also distributes the Trier films and many other high end arthouse films,” conclude Solomamma producers Rebekka Rognøy and Gary Cranner at Bacon Pictures (Norway). “So we feel in the right company and in safe hands.”
PER INFO STAMPA IN ITALIANOStarring Lisa Loven Kongsli (Force Majeure/Turist) and Herbert Nordrum (The Worst Person in The World), Solomamma follows a curiosity-driven journalist (40) who, when the identity of her son’s sperm donor unexpectedly surfaces, decides to seek him out under the false pretence of doing a feature interview about him and his tech company. Getting involved in his life without sharing the true nature of their connection shakes up not only her own life and emotions, but also those of everyone around her.
Solomamma is produced by Rebekka Rognøy, Magnus Nygaard Albertsen and Gary Cranner for Bacon Pictures (Norway), in co-production with Dansu Films (Lithuania), Mistrus Media (Latvia), It’s Alive (Finland) and Bacon Pictures CPH (Denmark). Solomamma marks Janicke Askevold’s feature debut. The film is based on an original screenplay by Jørgen Færøy Flasnes, Mads Stegger and Askevold. Torjus Thesen is DoP, while Patrick Larsgaard signed for the editing.
The film received support from the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) via NEO, a talent and project development initiative aimed at amplifying fresh voices in Norwegian film and series production.
International sales: Playtime
Locarno screenings: 11 August, 14:00, Palexpo/FEVI (World Premiere); 12 August, 18:00, L'Altra Sala; 13 August, 21:00, La Sala
Locarno press screening: 11 August, 09:00, Teatro Kursaal
Distributors: Frenetic (Switzerland); Teodora (Italy); Imagine (Benelux); New Cinema (Israel); Budapest Film Festival (Hungary); Scanbox (Scandinavia)...
