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Swedish actor Gustaf Skarsgård, best known for “Vikings,” has started production on his feature directorial debut, psychological horror film “The Cannibal.”
The film, written by Peter Birro, is a nightmarish journey
into a screenwriter’s mind as he returns to Ingmar Bergman’s home island of Fårö in search of inspiration.
Production started on Tuesday on Fårö, off Sweden’s east coast, and will continue until the end of November. Locations are in and around Bergman’s estate – to which the production team has been granted access by the Bergman Estate on Fårö Foundation – as well as West Sweden.
Ardalan Esmaili (“The Charmer,” “The Helicopter Heist,” “Lockerbie – a Search for Truth”) stars in the role of screenwriter David, who struggles with his creative crisis, his past and Bergman’s demons, while Claes Ljungmark (“Borg McEnroe,” TV series “Top Dog”) is set to portray Bergman.
Skarsgård said, “There is no way to approach Bergman but from deep within the gigantic cinematic shadow the titan casts. Just like the main character David tries to break free from his demonic magnetism, so too the movie itself will attempt to break free in a playful way, by using his own artistic tools.”
Birro said, “When I was a young screenwriter, I got to meet Ingmar Bergman on his desolate island of Fårö. He told me about his demons and showed me where he kept them: locked away in the freezer. For 30 years, I’ve been longing to open that freezer door and let the demons out. Now the time has come.”
Producer Martin Persson said, “ ‘The Cannibal’ is a very exciting, fun and surprising film dealing with how much one would be prepared to sacrifice to make great art.”
In the film, a screenwriter in a creative crisis visits Bergman’s estate on Fårö, seeking inspiration for a film about the legendary director’s life. Twenty years ago, he spent some time on Fårö as Bergman’s guest and he’s convinced that going back to the island, remembering their many personal and sometimes disturbing conversations, will help him write the screenplay.
He soon discovers that there is a demonic presence on the island that seems determined to prevent him from finishing the screenplay.
“In a dark crescendo of bizarre events, the writer is forced to face the demons of his own troubled past,” according to a statement. “When he desperately tries to escape, he realizes that he’s trapped on the island. The only way out is to confront Bergman himself.”
“The Cannibal” is produced by Persson and Mia Welin, executive produced by Miira Paasilinna and Gunnar Carlsson from Anagram and co-produced by Film i Väst, Gotlands Filmfond, Sveriges Television, Just Republic and Can Film, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, Andrea Östlund and Nordisk Film och TV Fond.
Scanbox Entertainment hold distribution rights in Scandinavia. The international sales agency is to be confirmed.
Skarsgård’s other acting credits include Oscar-nominated “Evil,” “Westworld,” “What Remains,” “Oppenheimer” and “Adult Supervision.” Upcoming roles include the “Wallander” reboot for Banijay.
