A Royal Affair and The Hunt to Toronto

FESTIVAL. Nikolaj Arcel's "A Royal Affair" and Thomas Vinterberg's "The Hunt" are selected for the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced its first programmes, and the lineup includes two Danish titles.

Nikolaj Arcel's historical drama "A Royal Affair" has been selected for a Gala Presentation, and Thomas Vinterberg's Cannes winner "The Hunt" have been invited to a Special Presentation

A Royal Affair

Nikolaj Arcel's historical drama "A Royal Affair" is based on the dramatic story of love and politics between King Christian VII, his English queen Caroline Mathilde and the king's physician Struensee. A man of Enlightenment, Struensee arrives at the Danish court as the deranged king's physician. He soon becomes the king's confidant and the unofficial regent of Denmark, introducing reforms and diminishing the power of the aristocracy. But it's only a matter of time before the conservative powers regain control. The consequences prove tragic for Struensee and his lover Caroline Mathilde.

"A Royal Affair" features two of Scandinavia's hottest names, with Mads Mikkelsen in the role of Struensee and Alicia Vikander as the young headstrong queen. Playing King Christian VII is newcomer Mikkel Boe Følsgaard.

"A Royal Affair" premiered worldwide at the 62th Berlinale, where it won the Silver Bear for Best Script (Nikolaj Arcel, Rasmus Heisterberg) and Best Actor (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard). The film opened domestically in March this year and went straight to #1. It has been sold to over 78 countries and has recently made B.O. history in Australia and the UK, where it has become the highest grossing Danish language film of all time. Next English-speaking territory to release the film is the US in November with Magnolia on board.

"A Royal Affair" is produced by Louise Vesth, Sisse Graum Jørgensen, and Meta Louise Foldager for Zentropa Entertainments with support from the Danish Film Institute. TrustNordisk handles international sales.

Read interview The Responsibility to Tell a Good Story

The Hunt

Jagten framegrab
Mads Mikkelsen in "The Hunt". Framegrab

Thomas Vinterberg's drama "The Hunt" tells the story of Lucas, played by Mads Mikkelsen, a mild-mannered kindergarten teacher who suddenly becomes the target of hatred from everyone in his small town when a young child makes false accusations against him. In the hysteria that follows, Lucas's life comes crashing down.

Mads Mikkelsen received the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. Cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen received the Vulcain Prize of the Technical Artist for her work on the film, which also received the Ecumenical Jury Award at Cannes.

The cast supporting Mikkelsen includes Susse Wold, Thomas Bo Larsen, Lars Ranthe, Anne Louise Hassing and Bjarne Henriksen. Vinterberg co-scripted the film with Tobias Lindholm.

"The Hunt" has been sold to more than 30 countries. It will open in the US in spring 2013 with Magnolia Pictures as distributor. National release is set for 10 January 2013.

The film is produced by Morten Kaufmann and Sisse Graum Jørgensen for Zentropa. International sales are handled by TrustNordisk. The film has received production support from the Danish Film Institute.

Read interview Sticking with Reality

Toronto International Film Festival

Every year, 300.000 guests attend TIFF, which makes it the leading public film festival in North America.

This year, the festival runs from 6-16 September.

The festival will be announcing more titles over the next weeks.

Toronto International Film Festival