In his new role the former media director of Danish public broadcaster DR will initiate feature film projects as well as boosting TV drama.

Danish major, Nordisk Film, has signed former media director Lars Grarup, of Danish public broadcaster DR, as development director to implement the company’s position as one of the largest production houses in Europe with an annual outlet of 20-25 features.

At DR Grarup was responsible for TV drama and participation in Danish/Nordic film productions. ”Within the Nordisk group, his assignment will include initiating  feature film projects with an international potential, as well as boosting TV drama, which is currently an attractive business area to the film industry,” explained managing director Allan Hansen, of Nordisk.

Nordisk product is already performing well worldwide, per Hansen. Nikolaj Steen’s Old Boys recently won the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and Susanne Bier’s In a Better World (Hævnen) will open next month’s Toronto. Henrik Ruben Genz’s Terribly Happy (Frygtelig lykkelig) was recently sold for a US remake, along with the Lulu & Leon television series.

The co-producer of the Millennium series, Nordisk will shortly (14 October) release Jørgen Lerdam’s Olsen Gang Gets Polished (Olsen Banden – på de bonede gulve), an animated 3D revival of the Danish 1968-1998 series. Among major new productions are Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning’s 3D venture, Kon-Tiki, as well as Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, now shooting in Sweden.

The Nordisk group of Scandinavian production outfits include Denmark’s Zentropa Entertainments (50% owned), A.Film, Copenhagen Bombay, Fine & Mellow; Norway’s Maipo, Neofilm; Sweden’s Fladen; Finland’s Matila Röhr Nordisk and Solar Films.

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