As I delve into this captivating narrative of Scandinavian television production, I find myself awestruck by the resilience and ambition displayed by these creative powerhouses. The story of SAM Productions, in particular, strikes a chord with my own experiences as a woman navigating the tumultuous waters of the entertainment industry.
SAM Productions, a powerhouse in Scandinavian storytelling co-founded by renowned writers like Adam Price (“Borgen,” “Ride Upon the Storm”) and Søren Sveistrup (“The Killing,” “The Chestnut Man”), along with producer Meta Louise Føldager Sørensen, is preparing a wide array of high-impact series. These productions are expected to create quite a stir within the Kingdom of Denmark and captivate global audiences.
As a cinephile myself, I’m thrilled to share that we’re embarking on our grandest cinematic journey yet. With over 60 films and series under my belt, including the Oscar-nominated “A Royal Affair” and “The Wife,” featuring the exceptional Glenn Close, as well as Lars von Trier’s Cannes-winning masterpiece “Melancholia,” I can’t wait to bring more captivating stories to life.
Producing SAM’s upcoming TV series is “By the Grace of God,” a Danish adaptation comparable to “The Crown,” chronicling the life of Queen Margrethe II from her birth in 1940 up until her recent abdication. This highly-anticipated series, commissioned by Danish commercial public broadcaster TV2, is set to begin filming in August 2025. Sara Namer, known for her work on “The Orchestra” and “In Your Arms,” will serve as the producer.
According to the original concept by Sveistrup, this upcoming fiction drama – the largest in scale focusing on Danish ruling monarchs – will delve into their lives from various viewpoints, including both royal family members and court employees, all while incorporating political machinations. However, at its core, it will primarily be a narrative about “a girl and her family,” as stated by TV2. Thor Bjørn Krebs, the creative mind behind SAM’s “Pros and Cons” (represented internationally by Studiocanal), takes on the role of head writer for this production.
According to Sørensen, narrating the tale of a royal family is equivalent to recounting the history of a nation. Despite not being a supporter of the monarchy, CEO SAM found herself captivated by Sveistrup’s concept. “The intrigue surrounding the Palace, where everything hangs in balance, will be captivating,” she said, “especially as we delve into the birth of Queen Margrethe II in 1940, just seven days after Denmark was occupied by the Germans.
She emphasized that the crucial aspect lies in “maintaining a connection with the genuine individuals, the everyday people who stand beneath the royal title.
Sørensen mentioned that her attire had come into proximity with Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence in Copenhagen, but she hasn’t had a direct conversation with Queen Margrethe II yet. It’s worth noting that Queen Margrethe II is renowned not only as a monarch, but also as an accomplished illustrator, painter, and production designer, contributing to Bille August’s Netflix film “Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction.
The TV executive, who’s currently funding a massive project, remarked that the woman is indeed an artist, yet she can’t contribute to it. When asked about the budget, Sørensen was vague but stated that the project is extremely costly and is among the most expensive ever for TV2. He explained they would need to seek funding from every available source because, as there are no tax incentives in Denmark, they likely will have to film outside of Denmark, which he finds unfair.
Concerning the selection of actors for portraying the royals at different stages in their lives, similar to “The Crown,” Sørensen mentioned: “We’re dealing with a broad time frame. We haven’t decided yet how we will choose our cast or if we will employ AI to make actors appear older. It could be a combination of both.” As executive producer, Sørensen added that TV2 presently holds the international distribution rights.
True Crime
After SAM Productions and TV2 Denmark, the upcoming project is “Britta,” a gripping true crime series penned by the BAFTA-winning creator Price. It’s inspired by one of Denmark’s most significant cases of embezzlement of public funds.
The four-part documentary focuses around the criminal case of Britta Nielsen, a Danish social worker who was found guilty in 2020 for stealing approximately DKK 117 million ($17 million) in public funds intended for vulnerable individuals. She was apprehended in South Africa, where her family had multiple properties, and subsequently returned to Denmark for trial.
Price, the creator of ‘Borgen’, expressed his intrigue upon learning about Britta Nielsen’s case, particularly since the million-dollar fraud she was involved in seemed to contrast sharply with her image as an office clerk and the Queen’s Medal of Merit she received only a year prior, just before her deceit was uncovered,” he stated.
Sørensen stated that it’s also about a true account of a woman who started with humble beginnings, aspiring to provide a better future for her three kids,” or
2025 will mark the beginning of production, with veteran collaborator Mogens Hagedom, known for his work on Netflix’s “Ragnarok,” taking charge.
Following work on authentic royal and criminal series, SAM is now venturing into the realm of espionage. As stated, they are producing multiple shows based on undercover operations in Denmark, and have recently obtained the book “Shadows on the Silk Road,” penned by former spy chief Lars Findsen. Findsen collaborated with experienced author Jacob Weinreich on this John le Carré-esque spy novel. Weinreich is renowned for his work on the Netflix hit movie “Loving Adults” and numerous bestselling novels co-written with Anders Rønnow Klarlund under the pseudonym A. J. Kazinski.
In the interim before several other major productions receive approval, SAM is deeply engrossed in the creation of Netflix’s Season 2 of “The Chestnut Man,” a thriller adapted from Sveistrup’s popular novel bearing the same title. Danica Curcic and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard return to their roles as detectives Mark Hess and Naia Thulin in this continuation.
Milad Alami (“When the Dust Settles,” “The Opponent”) takes on the role of concept director, while Dorte Warnøe Høgh and Emilie Lebech Kaae contribute to the scriptwriting. The planned standalone sequel series is slated for release in 2026.
Nordic expansion
Regarding her close partnership with Netflix, Sørensen expressed: “They’re wonderful companions. They’re one of the largest entities globally, yet they never bulldoze over me during negotiations or creative discussions. Instead, they listen attentively and hold a special place in my heart.
In reference to the collaboration with the French company Studiocanal, which owns a 25% share in the Copenhagen/Stockholm-based label, Sørensen stated, “Everything seemed to fall into place perfectly when we began working together ten years ago. We didn’t fully appreciate it at the time, but it’s turned out to be incredibly beneficial for us, enabling us to become one of the major players in Scandinavia.
Amidst the need for many Danish content providers to reduce their staff and expenses to navigate tougher market conditions, SAM has streamlined its operations, becoming more efficient and focused. Notably, co-founder Sveistrup chose to depart from the company to pursue his writing aspirations. Regarding ‘The Chestnut Man,’ Sørensen reassured that this departure doesn’t affect our rights to the production.
Moving ahead, the experienced producer intends to broaden her horizons by collaborating with SAM Productions in the Nordics for series, with Meta Film for feature films, and with Price’s A&M Productions for non-scripted content. Notably, Price’s A&M Productions is recognized for DR’s show “Famous Meals” where Price plays a TV chef alongside Frederikke Legaard.
Sørensen stated that the market has shrunk by half over the past five years, yet we’ve taken this as an opportunity to hone our abilities. We’re exceptional at formulating strategies, closing deals, and the current situation has presented us with a multitude of opportunities.
At Mipcom, Studiocanal is presenting a variety of SAM series, including the comedy “The Orchestra.” This show was previously acquired by France Televisions for broadcast in France, SBS for Australia, Lumiere Group for the Benelux region, and Filmin for both Spain and Portugal.
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2024-10-23 14:47