First look at Nils Gaup's new epic drama The Riot
Today SF Studios released the teaser trailer of the upcoming historical action drama The Riot (Norwegian title: Sulis 1907), directed by the Oscar nominated director Nils Gaup’s and produced by Storyline NOR. The film is about the origins of the labor movement and the workers' revolt in the mining city Sulis in the early 20th century that became the inspiration for the creation of the Scandinavian model and changed history. The film stars Swedish actors Otto Fahlgren (Beartown) and Simon J. Berger (Margrete – Queen of the North, Exit) in the leading roles. The cast also includes Norwegian actors Alexandra Gjerpen, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, Stig Henrik Hoff and Heidi Ruud Ellingsen. The film will premiere in cinemas in Norway on October 6, 2023, followed by an international release. SF Studios distributes the film in the Nordics and REinvent handles international sales.
Watch the teaser trailer here.
The Riot tells the story of the struggle against oppression in the mining town of Sulitjelma, called Sulis, at the beginning of the 20th century. Konrad (Otto Fahlgren) and the suppressed workers stand together in the revolt against the mining company and its ruthless leader Wennstrøm (Simon J. Berger). The film deals with actual incidents at Norway's second largest workplace, where the mining company had all the power and where the workers struggled under inhuman conditions in the dangerous and dark mines. This was the Wild West of the Nordic countries. One January day in 1907, the workers had had enough of the oppression, slave labor and the brutality of capitalism and with Kata Dalström and Helene Ugland at the head, the workers founded their own trade union. The action in Sulis 1907 unfolds in the violent prelude to this revolt that later created the Scandinavian model and the modern society we see today. It is an important part of history that has never been told on screen before.
"Sulis was the mining town where the workers were exploited to the maximum in order to deplete as much as possible of the natural resources in the shortest possible time, only to enrich the owners in Helsingborg. The workers did not like it, and it ended in a revolt. People and nature are still brutally exploited today, and the only people who profit from it are the very richest", says Nils Gaup, director.
This is not the first time Gaup has made films related to important historical events. He is previously known for his films such as Pathfinder, The Kautokeino Rebellion and Birkebeinerne. The screenplay is written by the critically acclaimed Christopher Grøndahl, who, among other things, has written the screenplay for Kampen om Narvik.
The stellar cast include both well-established and debuting actors. The young lead role is played by the Swedish rising star Otto Fahlgren, and his antagonist is played by the acclaimed actor Simon J. Berger. The woman who stands on the barricades and fights for justice is portrayed by Alexandra Gjerpen. Mads Sjøgård Pettersen and Stig Henrik Hoff are other well-known names in the cast, in addition to musical star Heidi Ruud Ellingsen who makes her feature film debut.
"The Riot is a film about true solidarity, where people stand together in the fight against oppression to get a better life. Today people are polarized and pitted against each other all over the world. The film is therefore more relevant than ever and a good reminder of what you get together", says producer Tom Vidar Karlsen.
The film is produced by Storyline NOR with producers Tom Vidar Karlsen and Trond Eliassen and financed by SF Studios, Götefilm, Handmade films in Norwegian woods, Studio Locomotive, FIlmCamp, Filmfond Nord, Filminvest, Film i Väst, LO Norge and NFI. SF Studios distributes the film in Norway and REinvent handles international sales.
The Riot is expected to be released in cinemas in Norway in 2023 followed by an international release.
Historical background
Far up in the Arctic mountains lay the place that was popularly called "Lapland's Hell". The copper mines in Sulitjelma were established in 1891 by the Swedish industrial magnate Nils Persson. In record time, the company grew to become Norway's second largest industrial workplace around the year 1900.
For more information, please contact:
Yaba Holst, Head of Nordic Acquisition, SF Studios, yaba.holst@sfstudios.se, +46 73 411 95 35
Malin Strihagen, Vice President Brand & Communications, SF Studios, malin.strihagen@sfstudios.se, +46 70 780 39 35
Helene Aurø, Sales & Marketing Director, Reinvent International Sales, helene.auro@reinvent.dk, +45 23 42 00 07
About SF Studios
SF Studios, established in 1919, is one of the world’s oldest film companies. Today SF Studios is the leading film studio in the Nordic region with its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and offices in Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and London. The company is producing and distributing feature films and TV series as well as providing the streaming service SF Anytime. Alongside its own production operations including Paradox, SF Studios owns the production companies FLX, Filmkameratene and Motion Blur, and is part of the leading Nordic media company Bonnier.
About REinvent Studios
REinvent Studios is a packaging, sales and financing studio all in one. REinvent Studios has extensive knowledge of original trends and sales opportunities in both the Scandinavian and international markets and works with high profile European production companies.
