Alicia Vikander in talks for thriller Alina

Alicia Vikander, the Swedish star of Anna Karenina and A Royal Affair, is in talks to play the female lead in IFFR CineMart project Alina, to be directed by Björne Larson and expected to shoot later this year.

The film is produced by Helena Danielsson of Hepp Film International AB

David Dencik, the Swedish-Danish actor who co-starred in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, is also in the frame to appear in the film, which will be executive produced by Daniel Espinosa (Easy Money, Child 44).

Alina is a thriller in the mould of The Godfather. It is based on the play The Fourth Month by Björn Boström. Mogens Rukov (Festen) is the script consultant on the film which is co-scripted by Larson.

The $3m drama is about a young man forced to to choose between his love for his for his sister and the deadly demands of his family.

Vikander is in talks to play the female lead. Matias Varela (Easy Money) is in talks to play the male lead. Dencik is penciled in to play the uncle.

“What we are looking for is to attach a sales agent here at CineMart,” said Danielsson.

Other projects

Danielsson also confirmed that Hepp is in talks with Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) to direct Thomas Quick: The Making Of A Serial Killer, the company’s long gestating drama about Sweden’s most notorious serial killer Thomas Quick.

The project will be made in collaboration with Swedish production company Tre Vänner.

Hepp Film, which recently opened an office in London for its English-language slate, is also preparing a UK-based feature film.

The first film to come through this new offshoot is likely to be Hurt, to be directed by David Stoddart (a former Screen Star Of Tomorrow). The gay-themed thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.

Hepp is also to continuing to develop its Greta Garbo biopic, which will star Carice van Houten.