15/12/2022 - The movie, staged by The Film Company, will star Alfred Ekker Strande, Mattis Herman Nyquist, Ola G Furuseth and Anne Krigsvoll playing the great artist through four different stages of his life

Henrik M Dahlsbakken’s feature Munch [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Henrik M Dahlsbakken
film profile] is set to hit Norwegian cinemas on 27 January and the streaming platform Viaplay two months later, on 24 March. In detail, the picture focuses on four periods in the life of Edvard Munch (1863-1944), one of the world’s greatest artists, best known for artworks such as The Scream, The Sick Child and Madonna.

Four actors will play the Norwegian painter through four different stages of his existence – namely, Alfred Ekker Strande (the TV series Ida Takes Charge), Mattis Herman Nyquist (Headhunters [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Ola G Furuseth (the TV series Made in Oslo) and Anne Krigsvoll (the TV series Lilyhammer). Flanking the four leads are Anders Baasmo (The King’s Choice [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Erik Poppe
film profile]) and Jesper Christensen (Spectre [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile]) in other central roles. The picture was penned by Fredrik Høyer, Mattis Herman Nyquist, Gine Cornelia Pedersen and Eivind Sæther.

Before embarking on this feature, Dahlsbakken wrote and directed the 1920s-set drama The Outlaws [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2021) and the horror flick Possession (2022).

His new picture opens with the story of Munch’s first love, before showing the controversy around one of his early exhibitions. Viewers will then follow Munch’s admission to a psychiatric clinic, wherein he is forced to make the biggest decision of his life. Moreover, the film relates the artist’s battle at the end of his life to save his works from the Nazis during World War II.

One of the main cast members playing the painter, Anne Krigsvoll, said about the project: “I’ve tried to bring different shades to Munch from my palette as an actor. It’s been a fantastic challenge, carried out with a lot of love and great respect.”

Director Henrik M Dahlsbakken commented: “We wanted to explore what drove Munch, what inspired him and what kept his inner flame alive. I’m very happy to be collaborating with Viaplay on this film.”

Finally, Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group’s chief content officer, added: “Our latest Norwegian feature paints a sensitive portrait of one of history’s most enigmatic artists. Munch’s work is famed around the world, but his equally fascinating life is much less well known. This is a passion project for everyone involved – and a great example of Viaplay’s commitment to bringing the best Nordic stories to audiences everywhere.”

Munch is being executive-produced by Trond Kvernstrøm and Åsmund Kjos Fjell for Norway’s The Film Company, and Kari Moen Kristiansen for Viaplay Group. The film is being sold internationally by Viaplay Content Distribution, with Scandinavian Film Distribution holding theatrical rights in Norway.