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Strand Acquires North American Rights to Venice Film ‘Love’ by Dag Johan Haugerud
Arthouse distributor Strand Releasing has secured North American rights for the Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud’s “Love.” The film is set to make its world premiere on September 6th in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival. M-Appeal is managing world sales for this intriguing film.
“Love” is the most recent installment in Haugerud’s insightful trilogy, which includes “Sex” and “Dreams.” The trilogy delves into the complexities of modern relationships and intimacy. The first installment, “Sex,” premiered at the Berlinale. Strand Releasing, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, had previously acquired “Sex” and plans to release both films theatrically in spring 2025.
Jon Gerrans, co-president of Strand, expressed his admiration for Haugerud’s work by stating, “Haugerud has crafted a wonderfully intelligent, provocative, and unique approach to personal, adult relationships, with a sly wink toward our own attitudes toward sex, love and desire.”
The narrative of “Love” revolves around Marianne, a pragmatic doctor, and Tor, a compassionate nurse, both of whom avoid conventional relationships. One evening, after a blind date, Marianne encounters Tor on a ferry. Tor, who often spends his nights there seeking casual encounters with men, shares his experiences of spontaneous intimacy. Intrigued by his perspective, Marianne begins to explore the potential of casual intimacy for herself.
The film stars Andrea Bræin Hovig as Marianne and Tayo Cittadella Jacobsen as Tor.
M-Appeal has already brokered deals for the film in multiple territories including France (Pyramide), U.K. and Ireland (Modern Films), Germany and Austria (Alamode), Italy (Wanted Cinema), Benelux (September Film), Spain (Filmin), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Pilot Film), and Switzerland (Xenix Film). Notably, all these distributors had previously acquired “Sex” and are planning theatrical releases in their respective regions.
“Love” is produced by Yngve Sæther and Hege Hauff Hvattum for Motlys, with co-production by Oslo Filmfond.
Strand’s recent acquisitions also include “Wild Diamond,” which premiered in Cannes competition, “Viet and Nam,” featured in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, and “Young Hearts,” part of Berlinale Generation.
Source: Variety
