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Prima Ballerina gets a prima director
Press Release
June 21, 2010
Zentropa Norway signs acclaimed animation director Anita Killi to direct children’s film Prima Ballerina.
Anita was born in Stavanger on February 17, 1968. She studied graphic design and illustration at Kunsthøgskole in Oslo (KHIO), and animation at Volda University College.
After completing her education, she relocated to her family farm on Dovre and established Trollfilm AS, a fully-operational animation studio. Since then, Anita has directed a number of short animated films, mostly adapted from children’s books. Some of those films are: Solens Datter/The Daughter of the Sun (1996), Kongen som ville ha mer enn en Krone/The King who wanted more than a Crown (1999), The Hedge of Thorns (2001).
Her latest film, Sinna Mann/Angry Man (2009), chronicles the heartbreaking story of childhood abuse at the hands a violent father, and one boy’s brave attempt to seek help from Norway’s King. The film was nominated for a number of awards, including an Amanda, Best Animated Short Film at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and recently, 3 awards at the Annency Film Festival.
Anita has begun development on her first feature-length animated film Prima Ballerina with Zentropa Norway and producer Valerie Saunders. This playful and beautiful film has, at its core, an emotional story about a little girl from a small farm who, inspired by her mother, learns to follow her biggest and wildest dreams. The film is aimed at children between the ages of 5-11.
”I first caught sight of Killi’s animation as a jury member at The Grimstad Short Film Festival in 2009,” says Saunders. ”It was clear that she had a distinct artistic voice with a visual flair all her own; poetic justice with heart-filled ethics and a subtle and humble character. I was mesmerized then and in this past year, working with Anita, my respect and admiration has not diminished. Anita is a talent, one in a million. What more can I say? What an honor it is indeed to have Prima Ballerina in her hands.”
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Zentropa Director Ready to Go
Press Release
May 28, 2010
Director Unni Straume
Unni Straume will bring Krzysztof Piesiewicz’s FAITH to the big screen.
Perhaps best known for the DEKALOG television series, and his collaboration with Kieslowski in the Trios Couleurs films, Piesiewicz’s original project FAITH tells the story of 20-year-old Madelaine, who moves from her small hometown on the western coast of Norway to Bergen in search of her biological father. Once she finds him, Lennart denies fatherhood, but nonetheless feels a connection to Madelaine. As their lives intertwine, we come to understand the dark secrets of their past.
Unni Straume, director of critically acclaimed features such as THRANE’S METHOD and MUSIC FOR WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS, has said that FAITH
“Illuminates the eternal conflict between what we know and what we believe.” She’s eager to explore the story in a straightforward manner, using light and shadow as a means of examining character. Originally from the west coast of Norway, Unni is also pleased to bring the production back to the landscape of her childhood.
Producer Valerie Saunders has said, “With artistic forces such as Unni and Piesiewicz behind this project, we are anticipating a beautiful, lyrical film.” Valerie founded Zentropa International Norway in January, 2009, and has since begun collaboration with several prominent Norwegian directors.
Zentropa Director Anita Killi awarded prestigious scholarship
Press Release
April 28, 2010
Director Anita Killi
Animation director Anita Killi has received a three year Art Council scholarship from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture. Anita, who runs Trollfilm studios on her family farm in Dovre, is perhaps best known for her critically-acclaimed animated short Angry Man. Angry Man has won numerous awards, including top prizes at the Aspen Short Film Festival, and the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. Anita is ”thrilled and honored” by the scholarship, and says she plans to use the funding as a means to explore and expand on her creative impulses.
Anita joined Zentropa International Norway last autumn, and is currently in development to direct her first animated feature, Prima Ballerina, which tells the story of a young girl balancing her dreams of dancing with the demands of living on a farm. ”Anitaʼs experiences and sensibilities are perfect for this project,” says ZIN producer Valerie Saunders, ”we couldnʼt ask for a better fit.”
VIP scholarship to Zentropa Norway’s Petter Næss
Press Release
March 22, 2010
The Norwegian Film Institute has awarded a 200.000 NOK scholarship to Zentropa director Petter Næss. The scholarship will allow Petter to explore the techniques of storytelling and narrative. Næss remarked that the funding would allow him the opportunity to take a more “active role” in the initial phases of the story process.
Petter Næss, who has three projects currently in development with Zentropa Norway, is perhaps best known for his 2001 Oscar-nominated film Elling. He has also worked with Millenium Films on the feature Mozart & The Whale, while his last film, Gone with the Woman won first prize at the Hollywood Film Festival. Recently, Petter has directed the stage production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which premiered at Riksteatret to strong critical reviews.
Magne Pettersen to direct adaptation
Press Release
December 11, 2009
Acclaimed director Magne Pettersen to adapt debut novel for Zentropa Norway.
Magne Pettersen, director of the critically acclaimed short film PARAT, has signed on with Zentropa Norway. His first project will be the adaptation of Joachim Førsund’s debut novel JEG KUNNE GÅTT HJEM I BLINDE.
PARAT premiered in Tromsø this year, and told the story of elderly man Isaksen, who was convinced of his own impending death. The film was praised for its absurdist undertones and stylish storytelling. Interestingly, Førsund’s novel also addresses death; this time, however, the protagonist, a successful lawyer from Oslo, returns to his small hometown after the death of his mother. Once there, secrets from his past come back to haunt him.
“Magne is a sophisticated, exciting director,” says Valerie Saunders, producer at Zentropa Norway. “He has an intriguing understanding of human emotions, which makes him an ideal fit for Førsund’s highly intimate novel. Magne is above all creative and inspiring; we are so pleased to have him on board.”
