BERLIN: MUSIC BOX FILMS TAKES SWEDISH HIT 'A MAN CALLED OVE' FOR NORTH AMERICA

By Scott Roxborough / The Hollywood Reporter

02-03-2016

 

The grumpy old man comedy has grossed $20 million in Sweden.

 

Music Box Films is taking another bet on Swedish comedy.

 

Following the success of Oscar-nominated The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, which grossed close to $1 million for Music Box in the U.S. last year, the indie distributor has picked up North American rights to A Man Called Ove.

 

The comedy, based on a best-selling book by Fredrik Backman, is the story of a dedicated curmudgeon, played by Rolf Lassgard, who finds his misanthropy put to the test when a new family moves in next door. Hannes Holm directed the film.

 

A Man Called Ove has grossed $20 million in Sweden, making it one of the most successful films of all time in the territory. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, by comparison, earned $21 million in Sweden.

 

The deal for A Man Called Ove was negotiated at Berlin's European Film Market between EFM between Music Box Films President William Schopf and Susan Wendt, head of sales at TrustNordisk, who are handling international sales on the title.