Sweden's Tre Vanner sets up in Norway with Fossum books deal

Sweden’s most expansive independent production company, Stockholm-based Tre Vänner, is setting up shop in Norway, having acquired the film rights for 10 thrillers by Norwegian author Karin Fossum [pictured]. Already with a foothold in Bergen, headed by producer Sara Waldeck, the company will shortly open offices in Oslo, while negotiating other Norwegian literary properties to film.

Currently shooting the fourth title in the $46.7 million (SEK 282 million) The Fjällbacka Murders (Fjällbackamorden) series – two features, 10 TV movies from Swedish writer Camilla Läckberg – Tre Vänner is in post with the second instalment in the Easy Money (Snabba Cash) franchise. Directed by Sweden’s Babak Najafi, it will be launched on Aug 17.

”There is a strong international interest for Fossum’s books following the investigations of detective inspector Konrad Sejer – we are in talks with several potental foreign partners for the package, and 70% of the financing is already in place,” explained publicity manager Gilda Romero of Tre Vänner.

”The Fossum cycle is likely to be adapted both for theatrical and television, like Läckberg’s series - all films will be shot in Norway, to emphasise the Norwegian milieu which we know from the books, and make extensive use of the Norwegian landscape and nature,” she added. The first premiere is planned for autumn 2013.

Named Norway’s Queen of Crime, Fossum has won several awards for her crime novels which have been translated into 25 languages. Some of them have already been filmed – House of Fools (De gales hus/Norwegian director Eva Isaksen/2008), The Girl by the Lake (La ragazza del lago/Italian director Andrea Molaioli/2007), He Who Fears the Wolf (Den som frykter ulven/Austrian director Erich Hörtnagl/2004) – or adapted for TV.