Following his remarkable success at Karlovy Vary with The Art of Negative Thinking, Norwegian writer/director Bård Breien is about to start production of his second feature film, The Down's Detective. The film, a Norwegian-Czech-Danish-German co-production, will be shot solely in Czech Republic.
Robert Bogerud (28) wants to be a private detective, but it isn't easy when you have Down's syndrome. Once he takes off his detective hat, all his potential customers disappear. Finally, he manages to secure an assignment: Ice-skating legend Olav Star has disappeared, and his mysterious wife hires Robert to solve the case. Robert has his own peculiar method, and so he picks up Olav's life where he left off. Recognizing his family's lack of love, Robert realizes that Olav has become a con artist with serious drinking problems, pushing penis pumps and titty cream to customers with low self-esteem. As the search for Olav and the truth becomes increasingly bizarre, it turns out that Robert is not nearly as stupid as he looks.
"I want to tell an entertaining, exciting and touching story that will challenge the audience. It will be an adventure with one foot planted firmly in a well-known genre where a lonely private detective has to solve a mystery in a cold, dark and hostile world, while the other foot sets out in a completely unknown direction. The Down's Detective is a film that sparkles with laughter as well as strong emotions, while the whole story and the main protagonist in particular are constantly balancing on the thin edge between tragedy and comedy," says director and scriptwriter Bård Breien.
In many ways, Breien and his international success were launched in the Czech Republic, when his debut film, The Art of Negative Thinking, received the 2007 Crystal Globe for best director - followed by the Czech Lion for Best Foreign Film. The film preformed well in other countries, and sold 150,000 tickets in Germany alone.
In 2009, the Czech Republic became even more special to Bård and his work when The Art of Negative Thinking was adapted as a stage production for theatre. For three seasons, the play has been performed to full houses, and it has just been extended for another two years.
As a result, the producers of Bård's next film looked to Prague for the film's production.
"Just before Christmas 2011, we set off to scout the Czech Republic and Hungary as potential destinations. We were hoping that financial possibilities, lower production costs and different locations would enable us to make The Down's Detective in a better way than back home. We knew that Bård had a name in the Czech Republic, but after one intense day in Prague, we realized how strong the Czechs felt about his film, his humour and his writing style. It did not take long before we cancelled our trip to Hungary, stayed a few more days in Prague and decided to make the film in the Czech Republic."
- Pål Røed, Producer
Director Bård Breien laughs when he adds:
"And it wasn't only because of the good Czech beer, which we drank at the bar in Švandovo Theatre right after watching the performance of The Art. The Down's Detective will be based extensively on the film noir genre, which will make the film visually challenging. It is set in Oslo, but Prague with its original atmosphere can offer a lot for the visual style that we want to achieve."
Delegate producer Friland, recently known for the international success Headhunters, is pleased to present Nimbus as the Danish co-producer (a fixture of modern Scandinavian cineam), plus Germany's Unafilm and of course the hard-working Czech co-producers from Evolution Films.
"We are truly grateful for the support we have received in the Czech Republic. The Czech State Fund for the Support and Development of Czech Cinema really understands the potential of Bard Breien's second film. It is a great honour for our company as well as for Czech cinema to be part of such a significant film project", says Evolution Films' producer Pavel Berčík.
The Down's Detective is truly an exceptional project. In addition to its original story and strong directorial concept, it already holds one significant record in the history of cinema. Robert Bogerud will be played by an actor with Down's syndrome, making him the first "Downser" ever to play a leading feature film role.
"In Svein André Hofsø, we found more than we could dream of. His language and social skills are excellent. His ability to learn his lines proved satisfactory, and he shows a strong desire to succeed in the role. In addition to his determined efforts, he also has what I would characterize as a melancholic expression, which is perfect for his character. Moreover, he is extremely photogenic."
- Bård Breien, director
Following their success with The Art of Negative Thinking, Cinemart will be distributing the film in the Czech Republic. The international sales agent is TrustNordisk.
The film has received financial support from the Norwegian Film Institute, the Nordic Film and Television Fund, the Danish Film Institute, the Czech State Fund for the Support and Development of Czech Cinema, and Eurimage.
Principal photography starts in late August. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in the fall of 2013.
Crew:
Director: Bård Breien
Script: Bård Breien and Eske Troelstrup
Director of Photography: Gaute Gunnari
Architect: Jindřich Kočí
Producers: Asle Vatn, Pål Roed, Pavel Berčík, Ondřej Zima, Bo Ehrhardt
Contact in the Czech Republic: Evolution Films, Pavel Berčík, Ph: +420 777 932 957,
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International contact: Friland production, Asle Vatn, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
Pål Roed, Ph: +47 932 13 555
