As AFM kicks off, SF Studios is launching the first teaser for Jesper Ganslandt’s 438 Days, which is now in post production. 

Gustaf Skarsgård (Vikings, Westworld) and Matias Varela (Narcos, Easy Money) lead the cast.

The drama/thriller is based on the true story of Swedish journalist Martin Schibbye and photographer Johan Persson, who were on assignment in Ethiopia (researching the impact of the hunt for oil on the local population) in 2011 when they were captured, accused of terrorism and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

They were pardoned and released from jail after 438 days inside the notorious Kality prison in Addis Ababa; they wrote an award-winning book about their experiences in 2013. 

Karl Fredrik Ulfung and Sandra Harms produce for Miso Film Sweden; the film shot this summer in South Africa and west Sweden. Peter Birro wrote the script.

SF Studios will handle the Nordic release in 2019 as well as international sales. 

Co-producers are SVT and Film i Väst in cooperation with DO Productions and support from the Swedish Film Institute.

Ganslandt’s credits include Falkenberg Farewell, The Ape, Blondie, and Jimmie, which opened this year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam. Ganslandt has shot his first English-language film, Beast Of Burden, starring Daniel Radcliffe.

SF Studios’ AFM slate also includes Britt-Marie Was Here, directed by Tuva Novotny and starring Pernilla August; Epsen Sandberg’s adventure biopic Amundsen; and erotic drama An Affair by Henrik M Dahlsbakken.

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