SF Studios announces the horror film Leave
Copyright: Photo credit: Sjur Aarthun
Today SF Studios announces the new Norwegian/US feature film Leave with seasoned director Alex Herron’s feature film debut based on a script by award-winning screenwriter Thomas Moldestad (Cold Pray 1 & 2). Leave is a classic horror film and stars acclaimed actress Alicia von Rittberg (Becoming Elizabeth, Charité, Fury) in the lead role portraying a daughter searching for her mother who abandoned her at a cemetery as an infant. The cast also includes Ellen Dorrit Petersen (Thelma) and Herman Tømmeraas (Skam). The film is produced by Dave Spilde (Lilyhammer) and Ilana Pinker-Spilde for Trollbound Entertainment with Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters) and SF Studios as co-producers. The film is expected to premiere in cinemas in Norway in fall 2022 followed by an international release. SF Studios distributes the film in the Nordics and REinvent handles international sales.
Hunter, 20, from the United States, is searching for the mother who abandoned her at a cemetery as an infant. She finds dark clues that take her to the other side of the world to Norway, but as she gets closer to answers, she feels a presence is asking her to leave.
The cast includes acclaimed actress Alicia von Rittberg (Becoming Elizabeth, 2022; Charité, 2017; Fury, 2014) in the role as Hunter and Ellen Dorrit Petersen (Thelma, 2017; Three Wishes for Cinderella, 2021) and Herman Tømmeraas (Skam, 2017; Ragnarok, 2021) in supporting roles.
The debuting feature film director Alex Herron’s previous work includes award-winning work with renowned artists such as Kylie Minogue, Aviici, Kesha and Taio Cruz.
“I want to pull you in, make you care and wonder, then drag you through the hell of my main character and experience the torment she faces on her journey to find who she is”, says Alex Herron, director.
Leave is based on script by award-winning screenwriter Thomas Moldestad, who is the writer behind the successful Norwegian horror films Cold Prey 1 & 2. Moldestad is versatile in his work, having had substantial success in a variety of genres such as horror, thriller, fantasy, and children’s films.
The film is produced by Dave Spilde and Ilana Pinker-Spilde for Trollbound Entertainment with Tommy Wirkola and SF Studios as co-producers. Spilde is one of the producers on Netflix Original Lilyhammer (2012). Tommy Wirkola is behind the global box office successes Dead Snow (2009, 2013) and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013).
“Director Alex Herron has, with a steady hand and with a great eye, shepherded this exceptional script into a genuinely unique genre movie, capturing both frights and a deeply emotional story”, says Dave Spilde, producer at Trollbound Entertainment.
Leave was filmed in Norway during fall 2021 and is expected to be released in cinemas in Norway in October 2022 followed by an international release. SF Studios handles Nordic distribution and REinvent handles international sales.
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.
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