Few cinematic traditions are more enduring than thinking up new and inventive ways to beat up Nazis. From “Inglourious Basterds” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to “Dead Snow” and “Sisu,” such projects run the gamut: prestige pictures, blockbusters, low-rent genre fare and everything in between. Icelandic helmer Óskar Thór Axelsson’s “Operation Napoleon,” an adaptation of the bestseller by Arnaldur Indriðason, is the latest offshoot of that storied subgenre: the alt-history thriller that imagines the long-lasting effects of a heretofore untold Third Reich conspiracy.
With such first-act intrigue as a shadowy CIA official instructing a subordinate to “initiate phase one” over the phone and the discovery of an intact Nazi aircraft on Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier in the present day, the film is sure to endear itself to a certain kind of genre-loving movie buff. As the plot fails to truly thicken and the film settles into something unexpectedly self-serious,...
With such first-act intrigue as a shadowy CIA official instructing a subordinate to “initiate phase one” over the phone and the discovery of an intact Nazi aircraft on Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier in the present day, the film is sure to endear itself to a certain kind of genre-loving movie buff. As the plot fails to truly thicken and the film settles into something unexpectedly self-serious,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Michael Nordine
- Variety Film + TV
Operation Napoleon, an Iceland-set conspiracy thriller from director Óskar Þór Axelsson (Black’s Game) has racked up international sales ahead of its market bow at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin later this month.
Sales outfit Beta Cinema unveiled on Thursday that the film has been picked up by Mediawan for France, Twelve Oaks in Spain, Hagi Film in Poland and by Tohokushinsha for Japan. Smaller sales include the territories of the former Yugoslavia (MegaCom) and Taiwan (Av-Jet).
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Icelandic crime author Arnaldur Indriðason, Operation Napoleon is a high-concept conspiracy thriller centered on an old German World War II plane containing dangerous secrets, is discovered as it emerges from a melting glacier in Iceland, where it crossed back in 1945.
Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (It Hatched) stars in the English-language adaptation alongside an international cast including Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen, Riviera...
Sales outfit Beta Cinema unveiled on Thursday that the film has been picked up by Mediawan for France, Twelve Oaks in Spain, Hagi Film in Poland and by Tohokushinsha for Japan. Smaller sales include the territories of the former Yugoslavia (MegaCom) and Taiwan (Av-Jet).
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Icelandic crime author Arnaldur Indriðason, Operation Napoleon is a high-concept conspiracy thriller centered on an old German World War II plane containing dangerous secrets, is discovered as it emerges from a melting glacier in Iceland, where it crossed back in 1945.
Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (It Hatched) stars in the English-language adaptation alongside an international cast including Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen, Riviera...
- 2/2/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ahead of the film’s market premiere at Berlin’s European Film Market, Beta Cinema has announced first deals for “Operation Napoleon” to France (Mediawan), Spain (Twelve Oaks), Poland (Hagi Film), Former Yugoslavia (MegaCom), Japan (Tohokushinsha) and Taiwan (Av-Jet).
The English-language thriller is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Icelandic crime author Arnaldur Indriðason and stars Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (“It Hatched”) and Iain Glen, best known for his role as Dr. Alexander Isaacs in the “Resident Evil” film series and as Ser Jorah Mormont in “Game of Thrones.”
The sweeping story takes us from modern Iceland to America and Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. It centers on young Icelandic lawyer Kristin, who gets drawn into the vortex of an international conspiracy when she receives grainy footage of an old airplane wreck, recently revealed by the melting of one of Iceland’s largest glaciers.
The...
The English-language thriller is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Icelandic crime author Arnaldur Indriðason and stars Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (“It Hatched”) and Iain Glen, best known for his role as Dr. Alexander Isaacs in the “Resident Evil” film series and as Ser Jorah Mormont in “Game of Thrones.”
The sweeping story takes us from modern Iceland to America and Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. It centers on young Icelandic lawyer Kristin, who gets drawn into the vortex of an international conspiracy when she receives grainy footage of an old airplane wreck, recently revealed by the melting of one of Iceland’s largest glaciers.
The...
- 2/2/2023
- by Leo Barraclough and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
“Gun on set! Gun on set! Everyone, gun on set!”
It’s April, 2022 and we’re in Mmc Studios in Cologne for the shooting of European conspiracy thriller Operation Napoleon. It’s 5,000 miles and six months distant from the events of Oct. 2021 on the New Mexico set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin, discharged a live round from a revolver used as a prop gun killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But the warning still chills.
Not that anyone here seems bothered.
Director Óskar Þór Axelsson is too busy setting up what will be the climax of Operation Napoleon: as a team of investigators prepare to board an old German World War II plane that has recently emerged from one of Iceland’s largest glaciers. The plane is at the center of the film, and the best-selling novel it’s based on, by Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason.
“Gun on set! Gun on set! Everyone, gun on set!”
It’s April, 2022 and we’re in Mmc Studios in Cologne for the shooting of European conspiracy thriller Operation Napoleon. It’s 5,000 miles and six months distant from the events of Oct. 2021 on the New Mexico set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin, discharged a live round from a revolver used as a prop gun killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But the warning still chills.
Not that anyone here seems bothered.
Director Óskar Þór Axelsson is too busy setting up what will be the climax of Operation Napoleon: as a team of investigators prepare to board an old German World War II plane that has recently emerged from one of Iceland’s largest glaciers. The plane is at the center of the film, and the best-selling novel it’s based on, by Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason.
- 11/3/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Munich-based sales agency Beta Cinema has picked up international thriller “Operation Napoleon,” and will kick off presales at the Cannes Film Market.
Shooting wrapped recently at the Langjökull glacier in Iceland, and the production has now moved to Mmc Studios in Cologne, Germany.
The Icelandic-German co-production is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Iceland’s Arnaldur Indriðason, and features a stellar cast, led by Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (“It Hatched”), Jack Fox and Scottish actor Iain Glen, best known for his role as Dr. Alexander Isaacs in the “Resident Evil” film series and as Ser Jorah Mormont in “Game of Thrones.”
The sweeping story takes the viewer from modern Iceland to America and Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. It centers on young Icelandic lawyer Kristin, who gets drawn into the vortex of an international conspiracy when she receives grainy footage of an old airplane wreck,...
Shooting wrapped recently at the Langjökull glacier in Iceland, and the production has now moved to Mmc Studios in Cologne, Germany.
The Icelandic-German co-production is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Iceland’s Arnaldur Indriðason, and features a stellar cast, led by Icelandic newcomer Vivian Ólafsdóttir (“It Hatched”), Jack Fox and Scottish actor Iain Glen, best known for his role as Dr. Alexander Isaacs in the “Resident Evil” film series and as Ser Jorah Mormont in “Game of Thrones.”
The sweeping story takes the viewer from modern Iceland to America and Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. It centers on young Icelandic lawyer Kristin, who gets drawn into the vortex of an international conspiracy when she receives grainy footage of an old airplane wreck,...
- 4/28/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Icelandic production powerhouse Sagafilm and Germany’s Splendid Film are teaming on the major feature project “Operation Napoleon,” to be lensed mostly in English.
Budgeted at around €6 million ($7.2 million), the thriller is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Iceland’s crime master Arnaldur Indriðason, whose earlier novel “Jar City” was successfully filmed by Baltasar Kormákur.
Published locally in 2009 and translated into English in 2011, “Operation Napoleon” was awarded a Crime Dagger by the Crime Writers’ Association.
The story centers on a young Icelandic female lawyer who’s suddenly sucked into the vortex of an international conspiracy after being accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Her only chance of survival lies in uncovering the secret of an old German World War II airplane, recently discovered on Iceland’s largest glacier.
The project is the biggest film commitment in more than a decade for Sagafilm, behind some of Iceland’s top selling-shows in recent years,...
Budgeted at around €6 million ($7.2 million), the thriller is based on the eponymous best-selling novel by Iceland’s crime master Arnaldur Indriðason, whose earlier novel “Jar City” was successfully filmed by Baltasar Kormákur.
Published locally in 2009 and translated into English in 2011, “Operation Napoleon” was awarded a Crime Dagger by the Crime Writers’ Association.
The story centers on a young Icelandic female lawyer who’s suddenly sucked into the vortex of an international conspiracy after being accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Her only chance of survival lies in uncovering the secret of an old German World War II airplane, recently discovered on Iceland’s largest glacier.
The project is the biggest film commitment in more than a decade for Sagafilm, behind some of Iceland’s top selling-shows in recent years,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Having helmed key episodes of such heralded TV dramas as Dexter, Luther, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones, Brian Kirk is a hotly sought director in both television and film. Within the past year he's been a contender for the director's chair on Thor 2 and then for a fresh adaptation of Robert Ludlum's The Osterman Weekend as well as a possible Tom Cruise vehicle titled Paper Wings. Talk on the latter two has subsided, and Thor: The Dark World ultimately went to another Game of Thrones director, Alan Taylor, but Kirk is poised to finally make a follow-up to his film debut, 2006's Middleton, with Universal's English-language remake of the Icelandic crime drama Jar City. The La Times calls Jar City a "cold-case-in-a-cold-place tale" in the vein of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Based on Arnaldur Indriðason's best-selling novel, the film focused on a detective who...
- 9/24/2012
- cinemablend.com
Game of Thrones director Brian Kirk has a new job. This time, he will bring us a remake of the Icelandic crime drama titled Jar City. Originally directed by Baltasar Kormakur in 2006, this movie definitely has it all, and by all I mean – a detective, an unsolved rape and a new murder. You know, the usual criminal stuff…
Actually, the original movie centered on a world-weary cop who believes that a recent murder of an elderly man is linked to a case of rape three decades earlier. He must try to solve that puzzle and put the pieces together, and that, my friends, is not an easy job for our detective.
The whole thing is based on an Icelandic bestseller Mýrin, which is a novel written by Arnaldur Indriðason.
And, just in case this already sounds familiar to you, I will just remind you that Jar City remake has already...
Actually, the original movie centered on a world-weary cop who believes that a recent murder of an elderly man is linked to a case of rape three decades earlier. He must try to solve that puzzle and put the pieces together, and that, my friends, is not an easy job for our detective.
The whole thing is based on an Icelandic bestseller Mýrin, which is a novel written by Arnaldur Indriðason.
And, just in case this already sounds familiar to you, I will just remind you that Jar City remake has already...
- 9/21/2012
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
Chicago – In our latest action/crime edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Blu-ray, we have 5 Blu-rays up for grabs for the highly anticipated home entertainment release of “Contraband” starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale! Universal Pictures is bringing “Contraband” to Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012.
“Contraband” also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Robert Wahlberg, Lukas Haas, Jaqueline Fleming, Caleb Landry Jones, William Lucking, Monica Acosta, Michael Beasley, James Rawlings and Connor Hill from director Baltasar Kormákur and writers Aaron Guzikowski and Arnaldur Indriðason.
To win your free “Contraband” Blu-ray courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this Hookup and win are below.
“Contraband” with Mark Wahlberg comes to Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012.
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Here is the synopsis for “Contraband”:
Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of “Contraband”: a white-knuckled action...
“Contraband” also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Robert Wahlberg, Lukas Haas, Jaqueline Fleming, Caleb Landry Jones, William Lucking, Monica Acosta, Michael Beasley, James Rawlings and Connor Hill from director Baltasar Kormákur and writers Aaron Guzikowski and Arnaldur Indriðason.
To win your free “Contraband” Blu-ray courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this Hookup and win are below.
“Contraband” with Mark Wahlberg comes to Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012.
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Here is the synopsis for “Contraband”:
Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of “Contraband”: a white-knuckled action...
- 4/20/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Reykjavik Rotterdam
Stars: Baltasar Kormákur, Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, Lilja Nótt Þórarinsdóttir | Written by Óskar Jónasson, Arnaldur Indriðason | Directed by Óskar Jónasson
The funny thing about reviewing films not in the English language is that it can be all too easy to assume that just because you’re reading subtitles, you’re watching a work of major artistic quality. This can simply be because somewhere in your mind you make the equation ‘subtitles = clever’, or in slightly more complex terms, why would distributors bother releasing a film in a foreign territory if there wasn’t something special about it that will attract an audience?
Reykjavík-Rotterdam is an Icelandic thriller about a former smuggler who takes on ‘one last job’ when faced with considerable financial difficulties. The thing is, whilst it’s a fairly competent film in its own right, it’s not really clear what makes it stands out from your...
Stars: Baltasar Kormákur, Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, Lilja Nótt Þórarinsdóttir | Written by Óskar Jónasson, Arnaldur Indriðason | Directed by Óskar Jónasson
The funny thing about reviewing films not in the English language is that it can be all too easy to assume that just because you’re reading subtitles, you’re watching a work of major artistic quality. This can simply be because somewhere in your mind you make the equation ‘subtitles = clever’, or in slightly more complex terms, why would distributors bother releasing a film in a foreign territory if there wasn’t something special about it that will attract an audience?
Reykjavík-Rotterdam is an Icelandic thriller about a former smuggler who takes on ‘one last job’ when faced with considerable financial difficulties. The thing is, whilst it’s a fairly competent film in its own right, it’s not really clear what makes it stands out from your...
- 3/3/2012
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
Chicago – One way to craft an unforgettable, undeniably adept film is to make a new one. Hollywood views that as financially risky, though, and it often doesn’t happen without being based on a book with a built-in audience or a film that’s already an international box-office success.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Just like the Swedish smash hit “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” was recently remade for U.S. audiences by David Fincher of “The Social Network” fame, producer and star Mark Wahlberg found financial worth – and he’d sell you on artistic, too – in the international remake route. He’s hoping he’d earn U.S. assurance from what recently worked in Iceland.
While U.S. audiences were well aware of Fincher’s hijacking from Sweden, “Contraband” being a U.S. remake of Iceland’s “Reykjavík-Rotterdam” is lesser known. That film most Americans can’t pronounce is one of the...
Rating: 2.5/5.0
Just like the Swedish smash hit “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” was recently remade for U.S. audiences by David Fincher of “The Social Network” fame, producer and star Mark Wahlberg found financial worth – and he’d sell you on artistic, too – in the international remake route. He’s hoping he’d earn U.S. assurance from what recently worked in Iceland.
While U.S. audiences were well aware of Fincher’s hijacking from Sweden, “Contraband” being a U.S. remake of Iceland’s “Reykjavík-Rotterdam” is lesser known. That film most Americans can’t pronounce is one of the...
- 1/14/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – In our latest action/crime edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the highly anticipated new film “Contraband” starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale!
“Contraband” also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Robert Wahlberg, Lukas Haas, Jaqueline Fleming, Caleb Landry Jones, William Lucking, Monica Acosta, Michael Beasley, James Rawlings and Connor Hill from director Baltasar Kormákur and writers Aaron Guzikowski and Arnaldur Indriðason.
To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Contraband” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This advance screening is on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2011 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “Contraband” with Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale.
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Here is the synopsis for “Contraband”:...
“Contraband” also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Foster, J.K. Simmons, Diego Luna, Robert Wahlberg, Lukas Haas, Jaqueline Fleming, Caleb Landry Jones, William Lucking, Monica Acosta, Michael Beasley, James Rawlings and Connor Hill from director Baltasar Kormákur and writers Aaron Guzikowski and Arnaldur Indriðason.
To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “Contraband” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This advance screening is on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2011 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “Contraband” with Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale.
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Here is the synopsis for “Contraband”:...
- 1/8/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of Contraband, a fast-paced thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he.ll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling.full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs.where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away
Wamg is giving away passes to see Contraband early! The screening will take place on January 10th at 7 Pm at Ronnie.s 20 Cine.
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be In The St. Louis Area The Day Of The Screening.
2. Fill Out Your Name And E-mail Address Below. Real First Name Required.
3. Answer The Following Question: What is your favorite Mark Wahlberg movie?
Winners Will Be Chosen Through A Random Drawing Of Qualifying Contestants. No Purchase Necessary. Passes Will Not Be Substituted Or Exchanged.
Wamg is giving away passes to see Contraband early! The screening will take place on January 10th at 7 Pm at Ronnie.s 20 Cine.
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be In The St. Louis Area The Day Of The Screening.
2. Fill Out Your Name And E-mail Address Below. Real First Name Required.
3. Answer The Following Question: What is your favorite Mark Wahlberg movie?
Winners Will Be Chosen Through A Random Drawing Of Qualifying Contestants. No Purchase Necessary. Passes Will Not Be Substituted Or Exchanged.
- 12/21/2011
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Watch Mark Wahlberg in the new trailer for Contraband, a fast-paced thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he.ll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling.full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs.where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.
Synopsis:
Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best.running contraband.to settle Andy.s debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), to head to Panama and return with millions in counterfeit bills.
Synopsis:
Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best.running contraband.to settle Andy.s debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), to head to Panama and return with millions in counterfeit bills.
- 9/29/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
First images and a trailer for Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi and Lukas Haas Baltasar Kormákur (Inhale, A Little Trip to Heaven) directs the English-language remake of Reykjavik-Rotterdam from the script by Aaron Buzikowski and original screenplay by Arnaldur Indriðason and Óskar Jónasson. The film opens January 13th next year via Universal Pictures and is rated R for violence, pervasive language and brief drug use. Contraband is a white-knuckle action-thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling—full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs—where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.
- 9/29/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
First images and a trailer for Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi and Lukas Haas Baltasar Kormákur (Inhale, A Little Trip to Heaven) directs the English-language remake of Reykjavik-Rotterdam from the script by Aaron Buzikowski and original screenplay by Arnaldur Indriðason and Óskar Jónasson. The film opens January 13th next year via Universal Pictures and is rated R for violence, pervasive language and brief drug use. Contraband is a white-knuckle action-thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling—full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs—where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.
- 9/29/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Arnaldur Indriðason is an almost-legendary crime novelist from Iceland, and one of his novels, Jar City (also known as Tainted Blood and Mýrin in Iceland), was brought to film (as Jar City) back in 2006 and is now getting a remake for the U.S. Another film from the mind of Indriðason is also getting the American treatment. This remake, based on the Icelandic hit Reykjavik-rotterdam, which Indriðason co-scripted, is now called Contraband.
Read more on Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale to star in Contraband…...
Read more on Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale to star in Contraband…...
- 9/17/2010
- by Symon Cordova
- GordonandtheWhale
The bleak Scandinavian landscapes have inspired a series of hit books about dour detectives, and more writers are now lining up to claim the Nordic crime crown
Among the growing band of the faithful – the millions of readers drawn to the bleak tradition of Swedish crime fiction – the litany can be recited with ease: Inspector Martin Beck, created by Sjöwall and Wahlöö in the 1960s, begat Henning Mankell's Wallander, and then Wallander begat Stieg Larsson's Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo.
With new episodes of Kenneth Branagh's Wallander promised and big-screen versions of Larsson's Millennium Trilogy due out soon in English as well as Swedish, what started as a genre with cult appeal has become part of the money-making mainstream.
Yet well before Mankell and Larsson's crime-solving anti-heroes reached our cinema screens, true aficionados of this Scandinavian genre understood that the family tree was more complex.
Among the growing band of the faithful – the millions of readers drawn to the bleak tradition of Swedish crime fiction – the litany can be recited with ease: Inspector Martin Beck, created by Sjöwall and Wahlöö in the 1960s, begat Henning Mankell's Wallander, and then Wallander begat Stieg Larsson's Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo.
With new episodes of Kenneth Branagh's Wallander promised and big-screen versions of Larsson's Millennium Trilogy due out soon in English as well as Swedish, what started as a genre with cult appeal has become part of the money-making mainstream.
Yet well before Mankell and Larsson's crime-solving anti-heroes reached our cinema screens, true aficionados of this Scandinavian genre understood that the family tree was more complex.
- 9/11/2010
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
Director Óskar Jónasson is mostly known here in Iceland as a comedy director, having made the film Sódóma Reykjavík (Remote Control) in the early 90’s that shot him up to fame and the film has become a true comedy classic over here. He followed that up with another comedy and then went on to direct some of the more popular comedy sketch shows over here. So it came as a surprise that he was writing and slated to direct a straight thriller, co-written by the author of Jar City, Arnaldur Indriðason and starring the director of that film Baltasar Kormákur and even the lead actor Ingvar E. Sigurðsson (it’s a small country).
Now Icelandic thrillers do not have what you would call a rosy history. All past attempts have failed miserably so when Jar City came along and showed us that it could be done, if you put your mind to it,...
Now Icelandic thrillers do not have what you would call a rosy history. All past attempts have failed miserably so when Jar City came along and showed us that it could be done, if you put your mind to it,...
- 10/14/2008
- by Swarez
- Screen Anarchy
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