THE HALF BROTHER

It’s not what you see that matters, but what you think you see

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY LARS SAABYE CHRISTENSEN

FOTO&DESIGN: KJERAND NESVIK

A SUSPENSE SERIES OF 8X45 MIN

MONSTER FILM AS PRESENTS “THE HALF BROTHER” STARRING NICOLAI CLEVE BROCH FRANK KJOSÅS JON ØIGARDEN GHITA NØRBY AGNES KITTELSEN MARIANN HOLE MARIANNE NILSEN BASED ON THE NOVEL THE HALF BROTHER BY LARS SAABYE CHRISTENSEN DIRECTED BY PER-OLAV SØRENSEN SCREENPLAY BY METTE MARIT BØLSTAD DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN CHRISTIAN ROSENLUND FNF AND LARS VESTERGAARD DFF PRODUCTION DESIGN ANNA ASP COSTUME DESIGN KAREN FABRITIUS GRAM SUPERVISING EDITOR WIBECKE RØNSET SOUND DESIGN GISLE TVEITO COMPOSER KRISTIAN EIDNES ANDERSEN CO-PRODUCERS TONE RØNNING NRK PRODUCERS OLAV ØEN AND HÅKON BRISEID IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH NRK SVT YLE RUV SUPPORTED BY NORWEGIAN FILM INSTITUTE NORDISK FILM & TV FOND FUZZ MEDIA NORDIC DISTRIBUTOR SF NORGE A/S WORLD SALES SF INTERNATIONAL

SYNOPSIS The Half Brother is a drama series of eight 45-minute episodes, based on Lars Saabye Christensen’s novel by the same name, being developed by Monster Film for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).

Revolving around the life of un-produced screenwriter Barnum Nilsen, The Half Brother is a dramatic family saga that offers a historical parable of 20th century Europe.

On V-Day, May 1945, as a continent emerges from war, Barnum’s mother Vera is raped in her attic in Oslo by an unknown man, leading to the birth of Barnum’s half brother, Fred. When Barnum is born five years later, fathered by the man that Vera has since met and married, the Nilsen family, like Europe, is already splitting in two. Growing up together during the Cold War – Barnum with his father, Fred searching for his – the half brothers become estranged and Fred eventually disappears. At the film festival in Berlin in 1990, as the Wall is still coming down, Barnum learns that Fred has returned. Finally, as the true identity of Fred’s father comes to light, the two half brothers may once again be reunited.

EPISODES 1.

Liberation day, 1945. The three women residing in Kirkeveien, Vera, Boletta and the Elder, prepare for a celebration of the peace.

However, when Vera heads to the attic to fetch dresses suitable for the occasion, she is assaulted and raped. Nine months later Fred is born in a taxi. 43 years have passed when Vera’s other son, Barnum and his girlfriend Vivian, is back in the attic in search of furniture for their new apartment.

Here, they stumble upon Vera’s old camera, still intact.

On the film they find a picture of Barnum’s half-brother Fred, who disappeared 22 years ago. Mysteriously, at some stage it seems he returned here. Why?

2.

Arnold, peddler and professional clown, move in with the women.

After a few years Arnold and Vera have Barnum, their son. Due to the controversial nature of the boy’s name, the priest in Oslo refuses to baptize him. Thus, the newly formed family head back to the more liberal Røst, whom Arnold left as a young boy, to get Barnum baptized.

Adult Barnum continues the search for his long lost halfbrother Fred, and his endeavors propels him to a journalist who wrote about Fred when he was a young, promising boxer many years ago.

3.

Fred is searching for his biological father. A short while after the Elder reveals what she knows, his grandmother dies and Fred is struck mute. An old acquaintance of the Elder prompts the family towards a vacation to Denmark, and Fred’s voice returns once again.

Adult Barnum continues the search for Fred. In order to draw attention to his disappearance, he has a fake article printed in a major newspaper, regarding two murders Fred supposedly is guilty of, to Vivian’s great disapproval.

4.

When Vera realizes that young Barnum doesn’t have any friends, she sends her son off to dancing school. Barnum, upon following Fred’s advice on acting the complete opposite of normal, is consequently kicked out of school. His abnormal behavior is noticed by Peder and Vivian, who like Barnum, is there against their will. Fred continues his search for the man who entered the gates of the apartment complex on liberation day, his father, whilst adult Barnum stumbles upon new clues concerning Fred’s last where-abouts before he disappeared.

EPISODES 5.

The friendship between Vivian, Peder and young Barnum is flourishing, and Barnum has never been happier. As it were, Barnum has quite the pitching arm, and when Arnold rents Bislet stadium to teach the lads how to throw the discus, Fred’s accuracy is more precise than Arnold ever could have imagined. The discus hits Arnold in the head, killing him instantly.

Adult Barnum and Vivian receive a pleasant surprise, but simultaneously their relationship is ridden with dishonesty.

6.

On Arnold’s burial, the arrival of the circus director Mundus causes quite a stir amongst the family. He reveals bits of their late father’s past, and the bereaved are in for a surprise or two. Under the memorial they also learn that the disappearance of a valued family treasure, a letter from the Elder’s former boyfriend written in Greenland before he disappeared in the glacier, was Arnold’s doing. Fred wants it back. Adult Barnum realizes that if he is to find Fred, he must find the letter.

7.

Young Barnum receives a typewriter from Fred for his birthday, and a writer is born.

Barnum’s feelings for Vivian grow ever fonder, but when he realizes that Fred likes her as well and confronts him, the half-brother disappears.

Several years later they find Fred’s jacket in Nyhavn, Copenhagen, and the family arrange a funeral for the missing brother and son.

8.

Barnum decides to leave Vivian, and heads back to Røst to get on the wagon. Incidentally, Røst is precisely where he at last finds the answers to the halfbrother riddle. When Peder invites him over to Berlin to sell screenplays, Barnum joins him. However, Boletta quickly sends for his immediate return. Fred’s back.

MAIN CAST NICOLAI CLEVE BROCH as adult Barnum

Nicolai Cleve Broch is one of Norway’s most popular actors. He trained at the Academy of Theatre in Oslo and has worked on several stages in Norway. He also has a long career working on television series and feature films, such as Buddy, URO, Max Manus, and Lønsj.

Oskar Sandven Lundevold plays the young Barnum.

FRANK KJOSÅS as Fred

After graduating from the Academy of Theatre in Oslo, Frank Kjosås made his debut in Hair at Det Norske Teatret in 2006. He has since appeared in a number of lead roles at that same theatre including Peter Pan, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Gabe in Next to Normal, and Che in Evita. He has also starred in features such as Erik Poppe’s Troubled Water, House of Fools and 5 Lies.

AGNES KITTELSEN as Viv ian

The award-winning actress Agnes Kittelsen trained at the Academy of Theatre in Oslo, and has performed on various stages in Norway. She has appeared in many TV series and feature films such as Max Manus (for which she won an Amanda (Norwegian Oscar) and Kanonsprisen for her role as Tikken Manus), Happy Happy and the popular TV series Dag. She plays a leading role in the feature Kon Tiki.

Vibeke Bugge plays the young Vivian.

MARIANN HOLE as Vera

After graduating from the Academy of Theatre in 2007, Mariann Hole made her debut as Ophelia in Hamlet at Riksteatret. She is currently employed at the National Theatre in Oslo where she has performed in a number of lead roles.

JON ØIGARDEN as Arnold

Jon Øigarden is one of Norway’s most popular actors.

He is known for his performances on the stage, television and in feature films. He has played in the popular TV series Berlinerpoplene and the comedy Helt Perfekt, as well as the feature films Comrade Pedersen, Curling King, Norwegian Ninja, People in the Sun, Fuck Up, and A Somewhat Gentle Man.

GHITA NØRBY as The Elder

The well-known and award-winning Danish actress Ghita Nørby has a long career behind her. She made her debut in 1956 and has appeared in over 100 different films and several TV series. She won the Bodil Award (the Danish equivalent of the Oscar) four times, making her the most awarded actress in the history of the Bodil Award.

MARIANNE NIELSEN as Bolet ta

Marianne Nielsen trained at the Academy of Theatre in Oslo and has been working at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen since 1988. She has received several awards for her performances. She has also appeared in Norwegian TV series and feature films such as Varg Veum-Sleeping Beauty and Comrade Pedersen.

OLA G. FURUSETH as Peder

Ola G. Furuseth trained at the Arts Educational Schools in London. He performed on the stage in Trondheim before moving to the Oslo Nye Teater, where he currently works.

Henrik Holm plays the young Peder.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Per Olav Sørensen

The Half Brother is a literary work that in many ways is wellsuited for TV dramatization (adaptation). The novel is filled with interesting situations, exciting characters, spectacular events, wonderful locations, and dramatic turning points.

Moreover, the main characters must struggle through so much to achieve their realization toward the end of thestory that the basic dramaturgical engine could hardly be any better.

When making a TV-series out of a novel it is not as easy as just cutting the book in eight half’s. Since we wanted to keep the novels jumping in time and not tell it as a traditional chronological story, we had to take some dramaturgical and director choices in the writing phase. The novels driving force is the myth around the main character’s half brother. Who is the half brother’s father? And does the brother actually live?

Therefor we have reinforced the story of the main character’s search for answers.

The TV- series includes elements from crime stories in both the script and in the director choices. We want the viewers to take part in the search, both back in time, and in the present.

We want “everybody” to join us finding the half brother, and who his father really is.

As for the visual plan, the history has given the photographers John Christian Rosenlund and Lars Vestergaard, set designer Anna Asp and myself the possibility to go both epic, wide and beautiful. But this is not on the expenses of what The Half Brother really is all about; which is the heartbreaking portrait of a handful amazing characters.

DIRECTOR Per Olav Sørensen

The director, writer and producer Per Olav Sørensen has a long career within feature films, TV and the theatre.

He has directed TV series such as Seks som oss and Honningfellen (NRK), and the feature People in the Sun. Several of his theatre productions have become international successes (“TanGhost” and “KOM!”) and have toured around the world. Sørensen is the only Norwegian director to have won or been nominated for all the most prestigious Norwegian awards; Amandaprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of the Oscar), Heddaprisen, Komiprisen, and Gullruten (the Norwegian equivalent of the Emmy).

CINEMATOGRAPHERS

John Christian Rosenlund & Lars Vestergaard John Christian Rosenlund has been working with feature films for over 25 years. He has photographed 20 features and some 800-1000 commercials for countries all over the world.

Several of the features have been included in the official program in both Cannes and Berlin. Beside “classic” film awards, John has received “the golden clapperboard”, twice won the Kodak Cameraman of the Year and the “Aamot Statuette” (one of the highest ranking awards in the Norwegian film industry).

Lars Vestergaard is an award-winning Danish cinematographer who has shot many TV series, feature films and commercials.

He has worked on Norwegian TV series such as Harry and Charles, for which he won the Norwegian Gullruten award.

Further works include Emmy-winners The Eagle and The Unit, and the feature film We Shall Overcome, which received over 25 international awards.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER Anna Asp

The Swedish art director Anna Asp designed many of the later films of famed director Ingmar Bergman. She began her career after graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, and has worked with several other prominent Scandinavian directors, including Billie August and Andrei Tarkovsky. In 1983, Asp won an Oscar for her work in Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander.

PRODUCERS

Olav Øen & Håkon Briseid Olav Øen started the entertainment house MONSTER and has worked as its CEO for many years. He produced the TV series Kalle and Molo, the Emmy-nominated series Boys Will Be Boys, and the features Weekend, Gone with the Woman, and Orps - The Movie.

Producer Håkon Briseid is manager for the department Monster Film. He has worked on several productions such as Orps, Gone with the Woman and Kunsten å tenke negativt.

He has produced the TV series NAV and Nattskiftet.

PRODUCTION COMPANY Monster Film AS

The companies were established by Trond Kvernstrøm and Olav Øen in the fall of 2001. Today, Monster is an Entertainment House that creates and produces television programs, commercials, feature films and experiences.

Monster is part of NICE Entertainment Group, the last group of independent production companies in the Nordic region.

INTERNATIONAL SALES Svensk Filmindustri AB

Svensk Filmindustri is Scandinavia’s largest film company operating in every major Scandinavian territory. A market leader for more than 90 years, Svensk Filmindustri is active in all facets of the industry i.e. production, exhibition, theatrical distribution, home video distribution, television distribution and multimedia distribution. Svensk Filmindustri is a subsidiary of the Bonnier Group - the major media company in the Nordic region.

MAIN CAST Nicolai Cleve Broch Oskar Sandven Lundevold Frank Kjosås Jon Øigarden Ghita Nørby Agnes Kittelsen Vibeke Bugge Mariann Hole Marianne Nielsen Ola G. Furuseth Henrik Holm

CREW Directed by: Per-Olav Sørensen Screenplay by: Mette Marit Bølstad Director of Photography: John Christian Rosenlund, FNF / Lars Vestergaard, DFF Production Design: Anna Asp Costume Design: Karen Fabritius Gram Supervising Editor: Wibecke Rønseth (NFK) Sound Design: Gisle Tveito Composer: Kristian Selin Eidnes Andersen Co-producers: Tone Rønning, NRK Delegate Producer: Nina B. Andersson Producers: Olav Øen & Håkon Briseid Production Company: Monster Film In co-production with: NRK, SVT, YLE, RUV Supported by: Norwegian Film Institute / Nordisk Film & TV Fond / Fuzz / Media International Sales: AB Svensk Filmindustri

PRODUCTION FACTS Genre: Suspense / Drama Based on the novel by: Lars Saabye Christensen Country of Origin: Norway Production Year: 2012 First Release: January 2013 Format: 16:9 Sound: 5.1 Duration: 8x45 min.

Credits not contractual

International Sales: AB Svensk Filmindustri SE-169 86 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 8 680 35 00 / Fax: + 46 8 710 44 60 international@sf.se / www.sfinternational.se