In their newest purchase, Neon is reuniting with an old duo. The independent film distributor has acquired the rights to distribute Handling the Undead, a new film directed by Thea Hvistendahl and starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World). In addition to Bahars Pars, an Oscar contender, the picture also features Bjrn Sundquist (Witch Hunters) and Bente Brsum (Exit) (A Man Called Ove).
John Ajvide Lindqvist, author of the novel and screenplay for the Neon-distributed film Border and the novel and screenplay for the critically acclaimed Let the Right One In, which has already been adapted into two films and will soon be adapted into a series on Showtime, is the inspiration for Handling the Undead. The events in Handling the Undead take place on one particularly hot day in Oslo. An unusual electrical field has encircled the city as its residents seek refuge from the heat indoors, giving everyone a headache and wreaking havoc on the city’s electrical infrastructure.
During the upheaval, the dead come back to life, forcing their grieving loved ones to face with the shock of seeing them again, often in horrifying conditions. Lindqvist’s narrative is a more character-focused take on the zombie genre, uniting three families in a fight against loss and the things they can’t control. Rather than portraying the dead as dangerous, the film focuses on the reactions of the living to the return of their long-lost loved ones and the efforts of the authorities to maintain order.
Also released alongside the news of Neon’s acquisition of the adaptation was a still from the film, which teases the return of one of the dead only to have them lazily recline on the sofa. Hvistendahl, who is making her film debut with this project, co-wrote the screenplay with veteran screenwriter Lindqvist. She has directed mostly short films, but she is also known for the documentary The Monkey and the Mouth. Her earlier short film, Virgins4Lyfe, was in contention for SXSW’s Grand Jury Award.
Produced by Kristin Emblem and Guri Neby under their Einar Film label, with assistance from the Norwegian Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, Film I Väst, the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, and the Oslo Film Fond. After the critically acclaimed run of The Worst Person in the World, distributor Neon is putting its faith in the talents of Reinsve, Lie, and company to bring in new customers.
The two leads received a lot of the film’s plaudits, as well as nominations for an Oscar and a British Academy Film Award. Reinsve won Best Actress at Cannes for her portrayal of the character, and she, Lie, and renowned filmmaker Joachim Trier all took home many awards at Norway’s Amanda Awards as well. The production of Handling the Dead has officially begun.