PARIS - Music Box Films has snatched up North American rights to Hannes Holm´s Swedish B.O. hit “A Man Called Ove.”
Based on Fredrik Backman´s bestseller, which has been published in more than 30 countries, “A Man Called Ove” is a dramedy centering on a grumpy old man who has given up on everyone including himself. His life get turned upside down when a new family moves in next door.
Pic had a record-breaking opening in Sweden in December and has so far sold over 1.6 million admissions. It currently ranks as the fifth biggest Swedish film of all time. It´s also earned three Gulbagge awards, including a best actor nod for Rolf Lassgård.
“Following our success with previous Swedish box office hits ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo´ and ‘The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared´ - both also adaptations of internationally best-selling novels - we´re looking forward to bringing ‘A Man Called Ove´ to U.S. audiences,” said Edward Arentz, Music Box Films managing director.
Deal was negotiated at EFM between Music Box Films president, William Schopf and TrustNordisk head of sales Susan Wendt.¨
“Music Box Films did an amazing job on ‘The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared,´ and we are confident that they will bring ‘A Man Called Ove´ to an even higher level” said Wendt.
In Berlin, TrustNordisk sold the movie to Japan (Medallion Media), France (Paradis Films), Spain (Savor), Greece (Videorama), Taiwan (Swallow Wings Films Co.), Lithuania (Scanorama). Previously announced are Germany, Austria (Concorde), Benelux (September Film Rights), Switzerland (Praesens-Film AG), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Estonia (Estin Film) and Korea (Sidus FNH Corporation).
“A Man Called Ove” is produced by Annica Bellander and Nicklas Wikström for Tre Vänner. Film i Väst, SVT, Nordisk Film and Nordsvensk Filmunderhållning Fantefilm co-produced.