TrustNordisk has picked up international sales rights for PIONEER - a new Norwegian thriller produced by Christian Fredrik Martin from Friland Produksjon AS, whose latest production was Morten Tyldum's HEADHUNTERS (2011) and Jens Lien´s SONS OF NORWAY (2011).
PIONEER is set in the early 80's, the beginning of the Norwegian Oil Rush. Enormous oil and gas deposits are discovered in the North Sea and the authorities aim to bring it ashore through a pipeline running at depths of 500 meters. Professional diver Petter is obsessed with reaching the bottom of the Norwegian Sea and has the discipline, strength and courage to take on the world's most dangerous job. But a sudden, tragic accident changes everything, and Petter is sent on a perilous journey where he loses sight of who's pulling which strings. Gradually he realizes that he is in way over his head and that his life is at stake. PIONEER is a high-octane conspiracy thriller inspired by 70's classics such as THE CONVERSATION (1974), THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975) and CHINATOWN (1974).
Director of PIONEER, Erik Skjoldbærg, gained international acclaim with his debut feature film INSOMNIA (1997), which sold to over 20 countries and later remade in Hollywood by director Christopher Nolan. In 2001 Skjoldbærg directed the American feature film PROZAC NATION, starring Christina Ricci, Jessica Lange and Anne Heche. His latest film NOKAS (2010) was a local B.O. hit with 275.000 admissions.
The lead role of Petter is played by Aksel Hennie, best known for his turn in HEADHUNTERS (2011), A SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN (2010) and MAX MANUS (2008). Other cast members include Wes Bentley (THE HUNGER GAMES; 2012, AMERICAN BEAUTY; 1999), Stephen Lang (AVATAR, 2009) along with Stephanie Sigman from Mexican sensation MISS BALA (2011), Jonathan LaPaglia, known from his extensive work in numerous American hit series such as NCSI (2003) and COLD CASE (2003-2010) along with Andre Eriksen, Jørgen Langhelle, Ane Dahl Torp, Eirik Stubø and David A. Jørgensen.
Co-producers are Pandora Filmproduktion, Garagefilm International AB, Film i Väst, Les Films d'Antoine, MRP Matila Röhr Productions and Nordisk Film. The film is supported by Eurimages, Nordisk Film & TV Fund, Filmstiftung NRW, Filmförderung HSH, Norwegian Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, CNC - Aide aux Films en Langue Etrangère and MEDIA.
Budget is EUR 6m. PIONEER will be released in the fall of 2013. Nordisk Film is distributing the film in Scandinavia and TrustNordisk handles international sales.