Pernilla August and Lone Scherfig join forces on an adaptation of Hjalmar Söderberg’s 1912 novel.

The Serious Game

Swedish actor Sverrir Gudnason (Monica Z) and Karin Franz Körlof (Nobody Owns Me) are to play the leading roles in The Serious Game.  

The film will be directed by Pernilla August (Beyond) and has been scripted by Lone Scherfig (An Education, The Riot Club).

Based on Hjalmar Söderberg’s novel, published in 1912, the story centres on a man and a woman who fall in love when young, and remain in love, but stay separated and marry others.

The book was previously adapted for a 1945 film directed by Rune Carlsten and a 1977 feature, titled Games of Love and Loneliness, directed by Anja Breien.

August said: “The Serious Game is about the dream and longing for the one great love. About Lydia and Arvid who say no, when we want them to say yes.”

Producers are Patrik Andersson and Frida Bargo for B-reel in cooperation with Film i Väst, SVT, Motlys, Nordsvensk Filmunderhållning and Nimbus Film with support from the Swedish Film Institute, the Danish Film Institute, the Norwegian Film Institute, Media Desk and Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Nordic theatrical distribution will be handled in collaboration with Nordisk Film Distribution with domestic release set for spring 2016.

TrustNordisk handles international sales.