Two Norwegian Film Thrillers to be Distributed by Magnolia in US

Two Norwegian films are headed to the US after being picked up by Magnolia Pictures from TrustNordisk.

The first is the thriller Pioneer, directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg from an original screenplay co-written with Hans Gunnarsson and Nikolaj Frobenius. Set in the early 1980s, at the beginning of the Norwegian oil boom, enormous oil and gas deposits are discovered in the North Sea and the authorities aim to bring the oil ashore through a pipeline from depths of 500 meters. A professional diver, Petter (Aksel Hennie), obsessed with reaching the bottom of the Norwegian Sea has the discipline, strength and courage to take on the world's most dangerous mission. But a sudden, tragic accident changes everything. Petter is sent on a perilous journey where he loses sight of who's pulling the strings. Gradually he realizes that he is in way over his head and that his life is at stake.

The second is the action-adventure film Ragnarok, directed by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose from an original screenplay by John Kåre Raake. Archeologist Sigurd Svendsen (Pål Sverre Hagen) has for years been obsessed with the Oseberg Viking ship. The only inscription found on the ship is the enigmatic "man knows little" written in runes. Sigurd is sure that the Oseberg ship contains the answer to the mystery of Ragnarok, the end of days in Norse mythology. When his friend Allan finds similar runes on a stone from the north of Norway, Sigurd becomes convinced that the runes are in fact a treasure map. Together they mount an expedition group and their adventure leads to "No Man's Land" between Norway and Russia, which has been deserted for decades. Here Sigurd learns the true meaning of the runes — a secret more terrifying than he could possibly imagine.

"After the excellent reception to Headhunters here in the US, we're very excited to be working with the producers and Aksel Hennie again on Pioneer, which is shaping up to be a terrific thriller," said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. "We are [also] very excited about Ragnarok, which has all the makings of a terrific action adventure. We are especially pleased to be working with our friends at TrustNordisk again to bring more great Scandinavian cinema to US audiences."

TrustNordisk plans on releasing Pioneer in Fall 2013 and Ragnarok in October 2013 to its domestic market.