04/10/2013 - Norwegian director Katarina Launing returns to family films with the true story of a 12-year-old lively and tough girl, who loves soccer – but suffers from leukaemia

After delivering several episodes for Norwegian commercial broadcaster TV2’s long-running Hotel Cesar series, Norwegian director Katarina Launing (photo) has returned to family films: Cool Kids Don’t Cry, her second after Magic Silver [+see also:
trailer
interview: Roar Uthaug
film profile] (2009), which exceeded 350,000 admissions domestically, will be released on January 10 by SF Norge.

“A film about wanting to live - full of joy, love and friendship,” said Launing, who has directed Norwegian writer Linda May Kallestein’s first script for a feature, from Dutch author Jacques Vriens’ book based on a true story.

Anja, a 12-year-old lively and tough girl, loves football; Jonas, her classmate, does not like girls playing soccer, especially not when they are as good at it as she is. But Anja is also ill; although diagnosed with leukaemia, she keeps her optimism and energy, and is engaged in school tournaments while still in hospital. When her physical condition no longer allows it, Jonas has a special surprise in store for her. School kids include Mia Brekke as Anja, Victor Papadopoulos Jacobsen as Jonas, with Sigrid Welde, Ulrik William Græsli, Magnus Elias Gusevik Skotland, as well as Aslag Guttormsgaard, Dagrunn Anholt, Kristin Zachariassen, Jeppe Beck Laursen and Ingjerd Egeberg in the grown-up parts.

“It both makes you laugh and cry – it could become this winter’s must-see family film in cinemas,” added Norwegian producers Silje Hopland Eik and Tanya Nanette Badendyck, who staged the project for their Cinenord Kidstory outfit. There it will compete with their Casper & Emma On Holiday, by Arne Lindter Næss, which will be out on January 24.