Five new Norwegian TV dramas and a feature film have just received backing from the Norwegian Film Institute. Heading the slate with the largest budget is Oljefondet (‘The Oil Fund’) directed by Hollywood celebrity Harald Zwart (pictured).
The Norwegian director of US hit Karate Kid is both concept director and writer of the first episode of Oljefondet, a comedy drama that follows the inner circles of Norway’s oil fund. Scriptwriter Tom Guldbrandsen (Captain Sabertooth) is main writer and producer with Espen Horn from Zwart Arbeid AS. The 10x23’ series budgeted at NOK 23.5 million is set to air on TVNorge.
Aber Bergen (10x43’) is written by Mammon creator Gjermund Stenberg Eriksen for ITV Studios Norway AS. The NOK 19.3 million drama series tells of two lawyers, former couple Erik Aber and Elea Bergen who share offices and a son. King Curling’s Ole Endresen directs. The series will air on TV3.
Førti, feit og ferdig (10x23’) is a sitcom about a break up directed by Line Fougner Christensen and co-written by Terje Solli. The actress and TV personality Linn Skåber will play the main part. Seefood TV is producing the NOK18.5 million series for TV2.
Unge Lovende (6x29’) is directed by Eirik Svensson (One Night in Oslo) for Monster TV. The trio Siri Seljeseth, Birgitte Ruustad Wegener and Mads Loken share writing credits. The series focuses on three female friends in their mid-20s. The NOK 13.7 million series is set to air on NRK in September 2015.
The TV series Nilam & Banden (8x13’) is an adventure show for kids aged 4-8. Kirsten Bonnen Rask and Carl Gunnar Eltervaag have co-written the show about three detective kids who sort things out in their community. TMM Produksjon AS produces for NRK Super.
Finally the feature film Hjertestarter is an adoption drama directed by Arild Andresen (The Orheim Company) for Motlys AS. The NOK 20 million project is set to start filming this fall. Norsk Filmdistribusjon handles domestic distribution.