Beta Film Boards Series Mania Standout ‘Cecilie Mars’ From ‘Warrior’s’ Christoffer Boe, Double Oscar Winner Zentropa (EXCLUSIVE)

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In a notable deal at Series Mania, the esteemed European television company Beta Film has joined forces with the crime series “Cecilie Mars,” which is spearheaded by Christoffer Boe, one of Denmark’s top-tier directors known for works like “Warrior” and “Face to Face.” This series is being produced by Karoline Leth, who has previously worked on projects such as “DNA” and “The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen.” Notably, Zentropa Entertainments, a two-time Oscar winner for productions like “In a Better World” and “Another Drink,” is also involved in this project.

I’m thrilled to share that Beta Film has obtained worldwide distribution rights for a series I can hardly wait to see! This extraordinary project will be showcased by Boe and Leth at Series Mania’s Co-Production Pitching Sessions on March 25, right in the grandeur of Lille’s Grand Palais Grand Théâtre – a venue that always fills up swiftly for these sessions.

Cecilie Mars” is among the most anticipated titles for Sessions in 2025, known as a “refreshing and unexpected twist within the thriller genre.” This six-part series revolves around Cecilie Mars, an ambitious and seemingly perfect new police commissioner who harbors a deep, hidden trauma from her past. When a case tragically mirrors her own experience – one of the members on her self-defense team is sexually assaulted – Mars finds herself taking matters into her own hands, stepping beyond the boundaries of law enforcement and venturing into vigilantism.

Under the coercion of an enigmatic character known as Lazarus, I find myself compelled to mete out justice to those rapists who have evaded legal punishment. Caught in a lethal game of hide-and-seek, the boundaries between justice and vengeance become increasingly blurred as I strive to unmask Lazarus, all while my colleagues inch closer to exposing my actions.

Boe expressed that ‘Cecilie Mars’ offers him the opportunity to stir up the thriller genre by immersing deeply into a less explored aspect of Copenhagen – a world brimming with obscure nooks, untold tales, and enigmas concealed beneath the bright facade, hinting at secrets lurking in the shadows.

The upcoming series titled ‘Cecilie Mars’ follows Zentropa’s recent productions such as Lars Von Trier’s “The Kingdom: Exodus”, Dunja Gry Jensen’s “The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen” and Thomas Vinterberg’s “Families Like Ours”. This series premiered at Venice Film Festival alongside works by Alfonso Cuarón, Joe Wright and Rodrigo Sorogoyen. The story is adapted from the first book of the Danish trilogy ‘Cecilie Mars’ by Michael Katz Krefeld, titled “Darkness Calls”. Future seasons are planned to be based on the remaining two books of this successful franchise, namely ‘Beast in the Night’ and ‘Dawn of the Executioners’.

Leth found himself immediately drawn to the lead character, Cecilie Mars, upon reading the book. She’s certainly bold! And there’s no denying she’s a true champion. A hero who bravely tackles immense struggles that threaten to overwhelm her, all while striving to maintain fairness in a system that often appears to shield the guilty over the innocent.

At one of our initial encounters, Karoline handed me a book, and upon reading it, I realized that this was a project we simply had to be involved in,” stated Anais de Neergard from Beta Film. “Cecilie Mars” is an intriguing tale about a female police inspector who consistently challenges the boundaries of right and wrong, unlike anything I’ve encountered before. We are honored to serve as co-producers for “Cecilie Mars” and eagerly anticipate sharing this unique Danish crime series, directed by Mr. Boe, with the global market,” she further mentioned.

Krefeld’s detective inspector Cecilie Mars books have been a bestseller in Denmark, with over 300,000 copies sold. These books are now being distributed to countries like Germany, Finland, Holland, Poland, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK. Most recently, Cecilie Mars has made her debut on Amazon streaming in the United States.

Leading up to Series Mania, EbMaster held a conversation with Boe and Leth where he inquired about the distinctive elements of “Cecilie Mars”.

It seems likely that Ampere Analysis will reveal on Tuesday that approximately one-third of all European scripted commissions in the second half of 2024 were crime thrillers. But what makes “Cecilie Mars” stand out among these?

Christoffer Boe: The central figure in our story is Cecilie Mars, who single-handedly drives the entire series. She’s captivating, possessing an extraordinary charisma that allows her to be both raw and brutal, yet amusing and endearing. Her unique trait is her profound empathy, which allows her to resonate deeply with the victims. This emotional connection is so intense that she becomes unstoppable when she perceives an injustice done to a young woman. This characteristic, while making her relatable and identifiable, also creates numerous difficulties for her, making her a compelling character to follow as a viewer.

In a unique twist on traditional crime narratives, “Cecilie Mars” puts the criminal in the spotlight. Unlike most investigators, Cecilie empathizes with the victims rather than the perpetrators. However, she finds herself becoming the subject of scrutiny as an investigator, and even commits acts that are typically associated with the wrongdoers.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always been captivated by the depth TV series bring to their characters. They delve deep into their personalities, revealing complexities and tough decisions that resonate with us viewers. The best shows put their characters in morally ambiguous situations where there are no easy answers or clear right choices – sometimes, the wrong path is the only one available.

In the gripping series I recently watched, the protagonist, Cecilie Mars, finds herself in such a predicament. Despite being a cop, she makes an illegal move. Now, she must grapple with a blackmailer while leading an investigation where she herself is the prime suspect! This intricate weaving of plotlines keeps viewers hooked, immersing us in Cecilie’s struggles and offering a fresh, innovative take on female-led narratives that feel remarkably novel.

What audience are you targeting?

My dad, Jorgen Leth, was a renowned documentary filmmaker in Denmark, specializing in niche audiences. Contrarily, my aim for this show is to reach the farthest corners of the globe, hoping it will be enjoyed by millions upon millions of people worldwide.

Regarding sales, are you considering a strategy that includes offering your content through both windows (separate periods for different platforms) and combining streaming services with traditional broadcasters?

Absolutely, broadcasters prefer to show their content in specific regions rather than worldwide nowadays. This is why Beta Film has partnered with us. Additionally, I will collaborate with Kasper Dissing, a producer who worked on Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” and “Families Like Ours,” who will assist me in managing the intricate financing aspects of our projects.

In 2018, I had the pleasure of interviewing you, Christoffer, during a period when there was a feeling of revolution in the world of television. You discussed how “Warrior” utilized shallow focus. Could you share with us what unique shooting style elements you plan to apply to “Cecilie Mars,” drawing from the vast toolkit of cinematic techniques?

Me as a Movie Buff: “I’m diving headfirst into the world of ‘Cecilie Mars’, a series that revolves around its protagonist so deeply it feels like an old-school cinematic masterpiece. I’m capturing this tale through the lens of tradition, using vintage optics reminiscent of Joseph Petzval’s century-old portrait lenses. These lenses, now reborn as film lenses, have a unique focus plane where sharpness is predominantly found in the center of the frame, adding an intriguing depth and emphasis to each scene.

And other stylistic effects?

Boe’s Suggestion: By blending contemporary lighting techniques with a unique electric score and a dash of modern music, we can achieve an in-camera movie-like feel while leveraging today’s special effects. I believe we can craft a production that exudes a tangible quality, one which many current TV series lack due to their overly plastic appearance stemming from lighting and grading choices. Our creation could be highly marketable, deeply character-driven, brimming with narrative energy, and possessing an intriguing fusion of contemporary and vintage cinematic elements.

Leth: The style will make the series feel more authentic, as if we are there with the characters.

In the context of crime-related stories, many people envision a procedural. However, this particular story leans more towards being a thriller.

The story unfolds as a typical thriller, with Cecilie Mars unwittingly becoming the prime suspect. Now, everyone seems to be closing in on her. A blunder has made her vulnerable, and someone is using it against her, turning her into the hunted. Even her own colleagues are attempting to arrest her. In essence, she’s a fugitive in this classic thriller scenario.

Karoline, could you put “Cecilie Mars” in the context of Zentropa’s burgeoning TV output?

In 2019, I became a part of Zentropa to enhance its television production. Since then, we’ve completed projects like “The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen” for Viaplay and “Families Like Ours,” in collaboration with Studiocanal, Canal+, and TV2. When it comes to series, our approach is the same as filmmaking: crafting compelling narratives with top-tier creative minds involved. Zentropa is all about fostering an atmosphere that empowers artists to pursue ambitious artistic endeavors.

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2025-03-25 10:18