Erik Poppe makes film about Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling
Norwegian director Erik Poppe and Paradox receive euro 1,8 million in production grants from the Norwegian Film Institute for the feature film about WW2 traitor Vidkun Quisling. Two Nordic co-productions receive grants, whereof Norwegian director Christian Lo will direct the Swedish-Norwegian children's film Mini-Zlatan.
Paradox rettigheter AS and director Erik Poppe have been awarded NOK 18,000,000 (Euro 1.800.000) in production grants for the feature film Quisling.
About the film
Five years of occupation end on May 8, 1945. The rebuilding of the nation may begin, but first the last chapter of the war must be written. In a dark cell at Akershus Fortress sits the one who had made on of the greatest betrayals during World War II; Vidkun Quisling. Now he must be held accountable for his actions and the atrocities that the ideology of Nazism led to. In the aftermath of World War II, Quisling was put on trial and executed for his collaboration with Nazis. Since his death, the word “Quisling” is used in Scandinavian and English language to describe a “collaborator” and “traitor”, such is his legacy.
About Erik Poppe and production company
Erik Poppe is one of Norway's most acclaimed and productive directors, having made films like The King`s Choice which was shortlisted for a Best International Feature Oscar, U - July 22 invited for the Berlinale Competition, A Thousand Times Good Night, starring Juliette Binoche and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Troubled Water. Poppe is currently directing the SF Studios production The Emigrants (2021). Quisling will be produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein B. Kvae for Paradox Rettigheter AS.
“A fragile democracy”
- Quisling is Erik Poppe and Paradox's third film in the trilogy «a fragile democracy». This time they want to focus on the abuser's thoughts and motives. The strong script is based on thorough research and is based on hitherto unknown and unique sources. A film about Quisling will obviously provoke debate 75 years after his death, also internationally. I have great faith that this project will be able to attract audiences to the cinemas, and initiate great public debate, says film commissioner at the Norwegian Film Institute, Asle Vatn.
The film has also previously received grants for development from the Norwegian Film Institute.
About Vidkun Quisling
Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945), is a Norwegian army officer and politician whose collaboration with the Germans in their occupation of Norway during World War II established his name as a synonym for “traitor.”
At a meeting with Adolf Hitler in December 1939, Quisling urged a German occupation of Norway. After the German invasion of April 1940, he proclaimed himself head of the government. Quisling’s attempts to convert the church, schools, and youth to National Socialism aroused fervent Norwegian opposition. He was held responsible for sending nearly 1,000 Jews to die in concentration camps. After the liberation of Norway in May 1945, he was arrested, found guilty of treason and other crimes, and executed. *
Grants for co-production
The Norwegian production company Filmbin AS receives NOK 1,500,000 (Euro 150.000) in grants for the Swedish-Norwegian children's film Mini-Zlatan, directed by Norwegian Christian Lo. The film is about about Ella who will spend the summer with her favorite uncle - and his new girlfriend, and is based on the Swedish children's book “Lill-Zlatan och morbror raring” by Pija Lindenbaum. The films is produced by Swedish production company Snowcloud and producers Petter Lindblad and Sara Sjöö.
The Norwegian production company Mer Film AS receives NOK 2,000,000 (Euro 200.000) in grants for the Danish-Norwegian-Swedish co-production Kalak, based on Kim Leine's novel with the same title. The film is directed by Swedish-Danish Isabella Eklöf, and is about the nurse Jan who moves to Nuuk in Greenland with his family. Main producer is the Danish production company Manna Film and producer is Maria Møller Kjeldgaard.
*Source: Britannica