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PRODUCTION Norway

Norwegian Film Institute believes in spy and robbery movies

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New Norwegian Hope, a satirical take on Norwegian politics through the true story of former Soviet spy Arne Treholt, and NOKAS, a reconstruction of the biggest robbery ever in Norway, were awarded around NOK 10m (€1m) each by the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) in its latest round of production support.

New Norwegian Hope will follow Norwegian commander Treholt and his ninja troops as they “rescue” Norway during the Cold War. Treholt, who worked for Norway's Foreign Ministry, was accused of spying for the Soviet Union and Iraq and sentenced to prison in 1985. He was released in 1992.

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The story, written and directed by first-timer Thomas Cappelen Malling, is based on his cult novel Kommander Arne Treholt Ninjateknikk II-Usynligget i Strid 1978. Both the novel and the film have Treholt’s approval.

NFI film consultant Vera Michaelsen describes the project as “one of the most original ever in Norwegian cinema… A film about a political conspiracy that ridicules our recent political history.” The NOK 19m (€2m) film is produced by Eric Vogel from Torden Film (Producer on the Move 2007). Shooting will start on May, 25, and delivery is set for August 2010.

NOKAS will reconstruct the largest robbery ever in Norwegian history when the NOKAS cash service in the town of Stavanger was robbed on April 5, 2004 of NOK 57.4m. The script is written by Christopher Grøndahl (Dark Woods) and director Erik Skjoldbærg (Insomnia, Prozac Nation) will begin starting March 17, 2009.

The NOK 24m (€2.5m) film is produced by Jan Aksel Angeltvedt for Alligator Film. The Norwegian premiere is set for February 1, 2010.

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