12/02/2007

Peter Holthausen and Pontus Sjöman, the production duo behind this year’s Guldbagge winner Kidz in Da Hood [+see also:
trailer
film profile], selected at Berlin’s Generation section, have set up a new production company, Casanova Film, to make films with similar production values and appeal.

Ecstatic after yesterday’s warm reception of the film at the Zoo Palast, both producers said: “We want to make films with different elements combined (in the case of Kidz, music and a children’s story with immigration as a backdrop) and a real edginess, films that are made outside the usual 'box', focused on the stories”, said Sjöman.

“For the last two years we worked together on Kidz and not only was our working relationship excellent, we had lots of fun and the final film was very good, which is why we want to go ahead with Casanova Films,” adds Holthausen.

The duo already has several films in development. First up is Small Yellow Lemons, based on a best-selling Swedish novel by Kajsa Ingmarsson. The book, which sold more than JK Rowling’s novels at home, was also published in several other territories, including Holland and Germany. Although the producers did not want to reveal any cast and crew members, they said that the “feel good movie” will be directed by “a very established Swedish female director and a renowned Danish scriptwriter will make the screen adaptation”.

“We need a financial kick in the project from the start and are looking for production partners outside of Sweden”, stressed Holthausen.

Kids in Da Hood nabbed almost all of the country’s top film honours, the Guldbagge awards, a few weeks ago in Stockholm. The film, starring Gustaf Skarsgård (2007 Shooting Star, see interview), was co-directed by first-time filmmaker Ylva Gustavsson (who also co-wrote the script) and veteran children’s director Catti Edfeldt.

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