Royal drama on film

IN PRODUCTION. Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander star in Zentropa's "A Royal Affair" by Nikolaj Arcel, already sold for distribution in the US.

Production for Nikolaj Arcel's historical period film "A Royal Affair" began in March in the Czech Republic and is scheduled to finish this month.

Changing the course of history 

The film centers on a dramatic love story that changed the course of Danish history in the early 1770s – a love story between Johann Struensee, the German physician of the schizophrenic King Christian VII and a man of enlightenment, and the English-born queen of Denmark, Caroline Mathilda.

"A Royal Affair" is Zentropa's first historical period film. The crew has been shooting on location in the Czech Republic, where they were granted access to a number of historical buildings from the period.

Duo behind Dragon Tattoo

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, a familiar face from recent international productions such as "Casino Royale" and "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky", plays the lead as Johann Struensee. He is joined by Alicia Vikander, Sweden’s young emerging talent, in the role of Caroline Mathilda.

Nikolaj Arcel has scripted "A Royal Affair" with Rasmus Heisterberg. Arcel and Heisterberg have teamed up on several projects, one of their most spectacular achievements being the international thriller hit "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo".

Experienced team

"A Royal Affair" is backed by an experienced producer team: Sisse Graum Jørgensen ("In a Better World"), Meta Louise Foldager ("Antichrist" and "Melancholia") and Zentropa founder Peter Aalbæk Jensen.

The film is produced by Zentropa in cooperation with Trollhättan Film AB and Film i Väst in Sweden, Sirena Film in the Czech Republic and Zentropa Entertainments Berlin.

Domestic release is set for 15 March 2012. TrustNordisk reports to have sold the film for distribution in the US and Australia during Cannes.