The Mountain is one of ten projects selected for the Gap Financing session at the Brussels International Film Festival co-production market June 29-30 2022.

LittleBig Productions AB har optionsrätt till filmatiseringen av författaren Mikael Strömbergs skräckroman De förjagade.

Filmmanus är skrivet av Jonas Tarestad och regissör blir Anders Banke som bl.a. regisserade den svenska genrefilmen Frostbiten (2006) och nu senast Enemy Lines (2020) som utspelar sig i Polen under andra världskriget.

Produktionsstart för De förjagade beräknas bli under vårvintern 2021.

Boken De förjagade handlar om en grupp svenska soldater som under första världskriget skickas till en utpost i Norrbotten där en hemlig transaktion med Ryssland ska äga rum nära gränsen till Finland. Det dröjer inte länge efter deras ankomst innan de förstår att något är fel och att ett okänt hot lurar i skogarna.

Mer om författaren:
Mikael Strömberg (f. 1976) är uppvuxen i Norrtälje och bor i dag i södra Stockholm med sin fru och deras två barn. Efter mångårigt musicerande där han skrev ca tvåhundra låttexter, många med skräcktema, debuterade han 2011 med den kritikerhyllade skräckromanen Vätten och har sedan dess kommit ut med flera böcker i samma genre. Den militärhistoriska skräckromanen De förjagade kom ut i september 2017.
Förutom sina böcker har Strömberg även medverkat med novellen Flockdjur i antologin 13 Svarta Sagor, utgiven av Swedish Zombie, samt fått de två skräcknovellerna Stenfoster och Isadora Cordée inlästa i en av Sveriges populäraste podcasts – Sveriges Radios Creepypodden, som även finns på Spotify.

Mer om filmbolaget:
Filmbolaget LittleBig Productions AB med delägarna Anna G. Magnúsdóttir och Anders Granström har bl.a. producerat den svensk/isländska dramakomedin Stackars älskande/Pity the Lovers (2019) som spelades in på Island hösten 2017, genrefilmerna American Burger (2014) och Operation Ragnarök ( 2018), samt det prisbelönta romantiska dramat Hemma (2014). LittleBig Productions är även en av initiativtagarna och grundarna av Nordic Genre Invasion, ett nätverk för nordiska filmproducenter i syfte att profilera och marknadsföra nordisk genrefilm på den internationella marknaden.

Dir. Maximilian Hult with actors (sitting from left) Jóel I Sæmundsson, Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir and Björn Thórs. Photo: Sigga Ella, Copyright: LittleBig Productions.

SWEDISH DIRECTOR MAXIMILIAN HULT DIRECTS FEATURE WITH AN ALL-ICELANDIC CAST.

Maximilian Hult, director of award-winning feature HEMMA, now makes a romantic drama comedy Pity the Lovers, set in Iceland with an all Icelandic cast. The film, produced by Swedish LittleBig Productions, is currently in shooting on location in Reykjavík. Besides directing, Maximilian Hult also wrote the screenplay and original story about the somewhat dysfunctional brothers, their longing for love and their everyday struggles towards a balanced life.

Boasting some of Iceland's finest actors Pity the Lovers started principal photography in Iceland on the 24th of August and is planned for release in 2018. The film is shot in the Icelandic language and the main roles are held by Björn Thórs, Jóel I Sæmundsson, Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir, Sigurður Karlsson, Edda Björgvinsdóttir, Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir and  Hafdís Helga Helgadóttir.
Producer Anna G Magnúsdóttir says “The film was originally planned for production in Sweden but faced with the prospect of postponing the production for a whole year, waiting for the last bit of financing in Sweden, we opted for going to Iceland and bridge the financial gap with the 25% reimbursement for filming in Iceland.”

This is not the first time Hult directs a film in Iceland. His first film HEMMA, although set in Sweden was also shot in Iceland with Swedish cast. Director Hult says “I have to admit to a certain nervousness regarding directing Icelandic actors in a language I do not speak myself. But that concern disappeared as soon as the main cast was in place and we started working.”

Producer Anders Granström said “We're thrilled to be back in Iceland working with a highly professional, near all Icelandic production crew and all Icelandic cast.  It´s amazing to watch the project come to life through a combination of Maximilian´s directorial skills, the talented actor performances, a creative and professional contribution from the crew and, not to forget, the exceptional locations. It’s also wonderful to be able to in this way contribute to and further strengthen the ties between Swedish and Icelandic filmmaking.

Synopsis
Brothers Óskar (Björn Thórs)) and Maggi (Jóel Sæmundsson) are easy going but both have a hard time with close relationships, a problem they deal with in different ways. Óskar tries to stay clear of emotional ties while Maggi jumps into a series of short-lived relationships. Their absentminded father (Sigurður Karlsson) has similar problems but has miraculously managed to hold on to his relationship with Guðrún (Edda Björgvinsdóttir) whom he met after his first wife, the mother of his sons, died when the boys were young.
The veterinary Anna (Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir) is facing a life-changing decision, unwittingly influenced by Óskar. The young wanna-be artist Ingibjörg (Hafdís Helga Helgadóttir) tries to become a grown-up as fast as she can and the 13-year-old friends Danni T and Danni M plod on with their daily lives, which increasingly take place in Óskar’s house.

With Pity the Lovers, producers Anna G Magnúsdóttir and Anders Granström of Stockholm based LittleBig Productions AB join forces again with Icelandic producers, Guðrún Edda Þórhannesdóttir and Friðrik Þór Friðriksson of Spellbound Productions ehf, Reykjavík, repeating a successful cooperation on director Hult´s acclaimed first feature, award-winning romantic drama HEMMA (2013).
Distribution in Iceland is done by Sena ehf while International Sales & Distribution is taken care of by Swedish Green Lighting Studio AB.

About the Actors:
Björn Thors plays ÓSKAR the slightly depressed main character doing his best to avoid complicated relationships. He is known for Paris of the North (2014), The Deep (2012) and Þetta Reddast (2013).

Jóel Sæmundsson plays Óskar´s younger brother MAGGI, who on the other hand, unlike his brother, is an eager candidate for complicated relationships. Sæmundsson is known for Borgríki 2 (2014), Life in a Fishbowl (2014) and Astrópía (2007).

Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir plays veterinarian ANNA, Óskar´s childhood sweetheart who´s life he unintentionally does complicate somewhat. Ásgerisdóttir is known for Pressa (2007), Cold Light (2004).

Sigurður Karlsson plays ÁRNI, Óskar and Maggi´s absentminded father, a dedicated repairman more adept at dismanteling things than putting them together. Karlsson is known for Virgin Mountain (2015) Trapped (2015-16) Fangar (2017).

Edda Björgvinsdóttir plays GUÐRÚN, Árni´s caring second wife, who maybe took on a heavier burden than she expected marrying him. Björgvinsdóttir is known for Under the Tree (2017), Stella í orlofi (1986) and The Raven Flies (1984).

Hafdís Helga Helgadóttir plays INGIBJÖRG, a young wannabe artist in a big rush to grow up and become somebody. Helgadóttir is known for In Front of Others (2016), XL (2013) and Íslenski draumurinn (2000).

About the film HEMMA
Swedish/Icelandic Romantic Drama HEMMA (Home) by Maximilian Hult, received fine reviews and was awarded The South Korean 2013 Busan Audience Bank Award as Best Film, was Opening Film at Mannheim Heidelberg and awarded the Ecumenical Award as Best Film. The film was awarded the Grand Prix as Best Film in Febio Fest Prague, young Erik Lundqvist was awarded as Best Male Actor at Peace & Love Film Festival Sweden and actress Anita Wall won the Guldbaggen 2015 for Best Female Supporting Role. Icelandic Film Awards EDDAN 2015 also nominated Maximilian Hult as Best Director, as well as Valdís Óskarsdóttir and Sigurður Eyþórsson for Best Editing.

HEMMA was shot in Iceland in the summer of 2012, with support from the Icelandic Film Centre and The Ministry of Industry. The film is produced by Swedish Producers Anna G Magnúsdóttir & Anders Granström and co-produced by Icelandic Guðrún Edda Þórhannesdóttir & Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. The Film was released in cinemas in Sweden and Iceland and has been sold to various territories in Europe and Asia.

Contact:
Anna G Magnúsdóttir, anna@littlebig.se
0046 70 261 6465 / 00354 779 1656
LittleBig Productions AB, www.littlebig.se

Actress Anita Wall was Awarded a Guldbagge for her role as Frida Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Maximilian Hult's international award winning feature Home / Hemma.

The Guldbagge Awards ceremony was held 26 January 2015 at Cirkus in Stockholm and broadcasted live by Swedish Television (SVT).

"Awarded annually since 1964, the Guldbagge ("Golden Beetle") is the name of the Swedish Film Institute's award for achievements during the previous year. The award itself, in the form of a flower chafer beetle, was designed by the artist Karl Axel Pehrson." - Swedish Film Institute

Great News!

American Burger is entusiastic to meet France through the screenings in La Nuit Décalée at the Gerardmer International Fantastic Film Festival 2015 Jan 28th - Feb 1st.

American Burger screens at Monsters of film festival in Stockholm, 8th-12th of Oct 2014!

Passa på och se American Burger på Monsters of film festivalen i Stockholm, visas den 10 okt.på bio Victoria på Södermalm.

HEMMA takes part in New Perspectives at the International Film Festival in Edinburgh 18th - 29th of June 2014!

Established in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, EIFF seeks to spotlight the  most exciting and innovative new international film talent.

American Burger is completed and ready to be served to hungry audiences! Let's get together in Cannes and feast!

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Once more we, as one of the founders of new platform, Nordic Genre Invasion are opening shop in Cannes and presenting the best of Nordic Genre Films! Following last years great success we'll be open for business for five days at the best possible location right opposite the market!

From XXI Prague International Film Festival:

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Ladies and gentlemen ... The winner of the Grand Prix this year's Febiofest is.. a Swedish-Icelandic film Home (Hemma)! Its director Maximilian Hult will receive the Grand Prix at the Closing Ceremony today (28th of March 2014) along with € 5,000 as a reward. Another € 5,000 will be given to promote the distribution of the film.

The prize will be handed to the Director by the honorary chairman of this year's jury, Oscar-winning costume designer, Mr. Theodor Pištěk.

The jury praised the deeply human story, great acting and humor of the film. Among the views of jury evaluation, appeared these comments:

"Superbly rendered the characters that are very different and yet the director then connects them as a cure for loneliness."

"Precise and metered work with conventions. The romantic comedy, which was sensitive and funny as the main heroine.”

"Great civilian performances and quirky humor."

"Living film with an emphasis on the love between people and understanding the differences between people."

HEMMA takes part in New Europe Competition at the  XXI International Film Festival Prague 20-28. March 2014.

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International Film Festival Prague – FEBIOFEST was founded in 1993 and has grown during the past years into one of the largest film festivals in the Czech Republic, which nevertheless still maintains its original profile as an audience-friendly festival.

The festival is oriented to full length films, bringing to Czech audiences the best of the last year, distribution premieres, retrospectives and tributes. It also discovers new territories and unknown filmmakers, and features special sections dedicated to gay and lesbian cinema, children’s films (FEBIOFEST JUNIOR), and even experimental films.

In recent years, FEBIOFEST has hosted renowned directors and actors such as Nanni Moretti, Claude Lelouch, Peter Weir, Olivier Assayas Roman Polanski, Volker Schloendorff, Isztvan Szabo, Tsai Ming-Liang, Tom Tykwer, Hal Hartley, Andrey Konchalovski, Armin Mueller Stahl, Nikita Michalkov, Carlos Saura and Claudia Cardinale.