Ville Virtanen, Birthe Wingren Penning Hitchcockian Drama ‘The Wednesday Club’

Welcome to “The Wednesday Club,” where even good friends hide dark secrets.

The film, set to shoot in 2026, will be directed by Zaida Bergroth, known for “Tove.” Ville Virtanen and Birthe Wingren are handling the script. Virtanen, recognized for Netflix’s “Bordertown,” will also appear in Klaus Härö’s upcoming drama “Never Alone.”

Based on Kjell Westö’s award-winning novel, the story takes place in 1938 Helsinki, just before the outbreak of World War II. Amidst varying reactions to Hitler’s actions, members of the titular gentleman’s club gather, their discussions ranging from anger to admiration.

In the midst of these gatherings is lawyer Claes Thune and his new secretary, Matilda Wiik. Matilda recognizes a voice from her haunting past during the Finnish Civil War, but her tormentor remains unaware of her identity.

“Kjell Westö is one of the most appreciated authors in Finland: he’s a living legend,” stated Oskari Huttu, who is producing the film for Helsinki-based Lucy Loves Drama.

“Adapting this novel is significant for us. Working with Zaida Bergroth on such an ambitious project feels right. It’s a ‘natural’ pan-Scandinavian co-production, to be shot in Swedish, and international actors have already shown interest,” added Huttu.

The “intelligent suspense drama” will be showcased at Haugesund’s Nordic Co-Production Market during the New Nordic Films industry event. This project presents a fresh challenge for Bergroth, known for her character-driven works like the 2020 Tove Jansson biopic, “The Good Son,” and “Miami.”

“I usually focus on character studies. Here, we have a group of childhood friends and an exciting female lead, intermixed with a classic whodunnit framework, which is new for me,” Bergroth revealed.

Despite its historical setting, “The Wednesday Club” raises timely and thought-provoking questions.

“I want it to feel as close to us as possible,” Bergroth emphasized.

“I always need to make a film personal and feel like my own. There are many parallels to the present day; war feels so near. It’s compelling to observe current political climates where principles, including human rights, are often compromised,” she shared, referencing a new Finnish law allowing the denial of asylum seekers at the Russian border, which she finds troubling.

“What are we willing to sacrifice? It’s a complex question, but we need to remain clear-headed even when national safety is at stake. That’s why this film is so intriguing. We often don’t realize the historical ‘edge’ we are standing on, similar to people back then,” Bergroth remarked.

“These edgy elements make the film feel modern. It’s not a ‘dusty’ period film. The friends incessantly argue about politics, reflecting current divides seen everywhere,” Huttu noted.

Huttu recalled his upbringing in a place known as the “skinhead capital of Finland.” It was a constant ‘us versus them’ battle, making him reflect on how he chose sides. “Had I been in Europe during the 1930s, knowing what people knew then, which side would I choose?” he pondered.

Matilda, the protagonist, torn and considering revenge, faces her dilemma.

“When threatened, responding with violence seems easy. So, what will Matilda do?” teased Huttu, while Bergroth looks to Alfred Hitchcock for inspiration.

“Hitchcock was significant to me when I began filmmaking. Working on this project feels like a new and important challenge,” Bergroth reflected.

“I believe this story will resonate because, although set locally, the nationalistic forces are universal, reflecting the global political climate,” she concluded.

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