Copenhagen-based sales company LevelK has taken on world sales responsibilities for the Norwegian psychological thriller “Anathema,” directed by emerging filmmakers Ea Johanne Sandberg and Alpha Nord. The project marks one of 21 films in development being presented at the Nordic Co-Production Market in Haugesund, and is being produced by Janne Hjeltnes and Anne Borgaard Sørensen under their newly established production company Empathitude Pictures.
“Anathema” follows a character named Dafne living in an isolated valley with her mother and a man named Bror. When Bror disappears and later returns as a corpse, the community descends into collective denial, insisting on proceeding with his wedding as though he were alive. The film explores themes of repression, denial, and shared delusion through what the filmmakers describe as a visceral and unsettling narrative that blends genre conventions in unconventional ways.
The production operates as a three-way co-production involving companies in Norway, Denmark, and Germany, with funding support from the Norwegian Film Institute. With a budget of approximately $1.7 million, the producers are actively seeking additional co-financiers and distributors for both this project and their broader slate of upcoming films and television series.
LevelK’s involvement reflects their strategy to expand their portfolio with genre-focused titles while maintaining creative collaboration with filmmakers from development through worldwide distribution. The company highlighted the directors’ distinctive Gen Z sensibility and willingness to challenge conventional storytelling approaches.
Originally reported by Variety →
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