Internationally acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Eric Poppe (“Yutoya – July 22nd”, “Quisling”, “1,000 Goodnights”) has begun filming in Norway.
“John is a big name in the US, Japan and Europe. It’s exciting to work with him and my regular producer at Paradox (Finn Gjerdrum) and SF Studios,” Poppe told Variety.
The story turns on Asuru and Guard, a couple in their early 30s. Athul and Gard live with their son in a small coastal town in western Norway. For a while their relationship is perfect, but soon the sailors are restless and portrayed by the sea’s call, leaving only Gerudo with the children in the village. Cracks begin to appear in the relationships tested by distance.
“When I first read John’s script, I was surprised,” Poppe said. “It’s a typical Fosse of every line, but at the same time it’s more open and appealing than some of his (literary) drama.” For the filmmaker, the challenge here is to “telling things are not said when they gradually halt between people who are closer to each other.
In the title roles as ASLE and GERD, they are two relative newcomers: Leo de La Nues, who appeared in NRK’s romcom “Evy & Always” and HBO’s “Four Signer,” and Theater actress Christy Helly Engberg, who is seen in Gunnarviken’s “War Sailor.”
“Leo and Christy Helene are younger and relatively unknown to a larger audience, but they are the enormous talents that I have continued to be interested in over time,” Poppe said. “Through their delicate but wise approach to John Fosse’s worldview, they bring out the naturalness of the rhythm and dialogue that opens Fosse’s drama to even more people.”
Another important element for the director of “immigration” is the dramatic environment of Hargangarfjord, the world’s fifth-longest fjord, and the incredible landscape of the winds of Stadland (West Norway), who become his own character. Not as a postcard, but as a universal story and a universal background.”
The film is produced by longtime Poppe partner Finn Gjerdrum for SF Studios’ Norwegian Banner Paradox and is supported by Norwegian Film Institute, Zefyr Media Fund, Film IVäst, and Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Storyline. The Nordic rights-holding science fiction studio will release the film in 2026.
Rinvent International handles global sales.
“We are extremely proud to represent Bad Moon Rising on the international stage. Eric Poppe is one of Scandinavian cinema’s most distinctive voices, and this new film highlights his ambition and artistry.
Poppe’s previous film, Quisling-The Fantial Days, about the infamous Norwegian Prime Minister and Nazi collaborator Vidkun Kisling, was sold by Linevent to multiple territories, including the US, Canada, Venellax and Australia.
Bad Moon Rising
Credits: Helge Skodvin, Paradox, SF Studios
