The Swedish family drama Kevlar Soul directed by rising talent Maria Eriksson-Hecht for Zentropa Sweden is among the films to be presented in Cannes.

Marge Liiske, head of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event explained why for the first time, her industry event will take part in the Marché du Film Co-Production Day, July 9.

“Co-production is not always an easy road to travel, especially in the post-Covid world, where the cross-border shooting can be difficult, but each and every one of the projects we have chosen to bring with us to Cannes has the potential and artistic merit to really flourish on the international stage,” she noted.

Explaining the selection process, Liiske said she and her team hand-picked six projects out of 20 that took part in the Co-Production Market at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event last November. “We took a close look at the projects and selected the ones in the most suitable stage of financing and that would benefit the most from the opportunities Cannes Co-Production Day has to offer,” she said.

The selection committee also added Moonika Siimets’ Black-Hole, produced by Estonia’s Riina Sildos (Amrion), co-producer of Juho Kuosmanen’s anticipated Compartment no 6, competing for a Palme d’or.

The Swedish film Kevlar Soul (Kevlarsjäl) is a family drama dealing with addiction. Michail’s life purpose is to look after his little brother Robin and his alcoholic father Bo. That is until he meets Ines. With Michail engulfed by love, Robin loses his footing and begins to freefall.

Director Maria Eriksson-Hecht-a former graduate form Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts, said the film explores the formative years of childhood and young adulthood that help shape a person’s identity, themes already tackled in her short films. The project is produced by Ronny Fritsche of Zentropa Sweden.

Other projects are the following:

  • 8 Views of the Lake Biwa by writer/director Marko Raat (Allfilm, Estonia)
  • Aliya by writer/director Dekel Berenson, Transfax Film Productions, Israel/ AR Content, Russia)
  • Black Hole by writer/director Moonika Siimets (Amrion, Estonia)
  • Spilt Milk written by Cara Loftus, directed by Brian Durnin (925 Productions, Ireland)
  • Maria’s Silence by writer/director Dāvis Sīmanis (Mistrus Media, Latvia)
  • Tasty by writer/director Egle Vertelyte, co-written by Irena Kuneviciute (Inscript, Lithuania).

Partners to the Marché du Film Co-production Day also include New Nordic Films (Norwegian International Film Festival, Norway), CineMart (Rotterdam Film Festival), Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum (San Sebastian Film Festival) and NFDC Film Bazaar, India.