SØRFOND grants support for 7 new projects
SØRFOND are happy to announce that NOK 3 million (EUR 383.510) has now been divided between 7 film projects. This year - as any year - the jury had a difficult task selecting the projects. Among these years supported films we are happy to see a great variety of established and first time feature directors.
Of 63 applications received, 7 productions were granted support by an international jury consisting of Amra Bakšić Čamo (Bosnia), Bård Breien (Norway), and Kalle Løchen (Norway).
Jury´s comment
- This year, as any year we suppose, the Sørfond jury had a quite difficult task. Among eligible projects, there were many compelling new voices and great names of contemporary cinema. We read important stories from different parts of the world. Our final selection of 7 projects takes us to Asia, South America, Europe and Africa, and we are looking forward watching finished films.
The following productions received funding:
THE UNTAMED
Country: Mexico
Director: Amat Escalante
Script: Amat Escalante and Gibran Portela
Norwegian Co-producer: MER Film AS / by Maria Ekerhovd
Main producer: Mantarraya Producciones SA de CV
Amount of support: NOK 500 000 / EUR 59 200
Project brief:
Amat Escalante's new film tells the story of a young woman and her two children who want to free themselves from a male chauvinistic, misogynistic and homophobic society. It is a strong and violent tale, which is almost anarchic in its expression.
LUXEMBOURG
Country: Ukraine
Director: Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy
Script: Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy
Norwegian co-producer: DUOfilm AS / by Linda Bolstad og Marie Fuglestein
Main producer: Garmata Film
Amount of support: NOK 500 000 / EUR 59 200
Project brief:
Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy tells a dramatic jealousy drama about a police man who works as a watchman in the shuttered zone after the Chernobyl disaster - an area the size of the state of Luxembourg. The film is a stone cold drama, which further develops the director aesthetic film universe from his award winning film, "The Tribe”.
I HATE MY LIFE
Country: Tunisia
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Script: Kaouther Ben Hania
Norwegian co-producer: Integralfilm AS/ by Jørgen and Nefise Özkal Lorentzen
Main producer: Cinetelefilms
Amount of support: NOK 500 000 / EUR 59 200
Project brief:
Kaouther Ben Hania is a first time feature director with a project that evolves around a contemporary situation in Tunisia. We follow a woman from the point of rape, through the meeting with the hospital and the police. A tale of resistance, ignorance, suspicion and arrogance in the health and security institutions unfolds. This is an uncompromising and compelling narrative, which stands strongly behind its main character.
SAMUI SONG
Country: Thailand
Director: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Script: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Norwegian co-producer: Tenk.tv / by Frode Søbstad
Main producer: Bluering Company Limited
Amount of support: NOK 400 000/ EUR 47 300
Project brief:
Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is a prestigious filmmaker, who is telling the story about a woman who wants out of her relationship with a man affiliated with a religious sect. A mystery mixing tale with inspiration from Hitchcock's thrillers, Buñuel surrealism and Bollywood song and dance.
LA FAMILIA
Country: Venezuela
Director: Gustavo Rondón
Script: Gustavo Rondón
Norwegian co-producer: Dag Hoel Filmproduksjon AS / by Dag Hoel
Main producer: La Pandilla Producciones
Amount of support: NOK 400 000/ EUR 47 300
Project brief:
Gustavo Rondóns feature debut is a strong father-son story. The son is forced to kill a band member in self-defence, and the both of them must flee the city. It is a strong and emotional tale of two characters trying to escape a fated existence.
CEMETERY LIFE
Country: Philippines
Director: Barbara Politsch
Script: Barbara Politsch
Norwegian co-producer: Merkur Filmproduksjon AS / by Petter Vennerød
Main producer: Southern Lantern Studios
Amount of support: NOK 400.000 / EUR 47 300
Project brief:
Barbara Politsch makes her first feature length documentary about a group of characters that have chosen to live and stay in a large Catholic cemetery in Manila. The choice of characters is varied, showing a micro society where tombs serve as home.
SELLING HUMANS
Country: India
Director: Pankaj Johar
Script: Pankaj Johar
Norwegian co-producer: Lightsource Film Productions AS / by Arne Dahr
Main producer: Pennywise Films PVT LTD
Amount of support: NOK 300 000 / EUR 35 500
Project brief:
Pankaj Johar is making a documentary about an important, strong and relevant topic; forced child labour in India, where one follows young girls who have to work as housekeepers. A movie that is relevant to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Kailash Satyiarti.