Reykjavik Fusion to Premiere at Renowned Cannes Series Festival
The Icelandic television series, “Reykjavik Fusion,” is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Series festival in late April. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first Icelandic series selected for a premiere at the Cannes Series. Produced by the Icelandic company ACT4, the series will be aired on Síminn Premium in the fall.
ACT4: A New Player in Icelandic Television Production
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, an acclaimed actor, and Milla Ósk Magnúsdóttir, the executive producer at ACT4, recently discussed the series on the radio show “Síðdegisútvarpið” with hosts Guðrún Dís Emilsdóttir and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson. The company name ACT4 was derived from a strategic decision to ensure their visibility at sales conventions, where companies are often listed alphabetically. “We thought, let’s start with an A, and that’s how we came up with it. It could have been AAA, like a battery brand,” Ólafur Darri joked.
Reykjavik Fusion is the first series produced by ACT4. Filming concluded in late November, and the post-production phase is currently underway. The series will debut on Síminn Premium towards the end of autumn. “We are in the early stages of introducing the series to the public, with plans to release a trailer soon and engage on social media. This is the initial step,” Milla commented on the upcoming promotional activities.
A Story of Crime and Redemption
Ólafur Darri stars as a chef recently released from prison who decides to open a restaurant in hopes of winning back the heart of his former lover. To fund this venture, he launders money at the establishment. Hera Hilmarsdóttir plays the restaurant manager who exploits the chef’s naivety for personal gain. Together, they find themselves increasingly entangled in Reykjavik’s criminal underworld, where one wrong move could prove costly. “It’s about a chef coming out of prison who struggles to reintegrate into society, like many who have been through that experience. He ends up making a deal with the devil, laundering money with a colleague, and things go south,” Ólafur Darri described the plot.
The series is a blend of crime thriller and family drama. “This is a man with two children who separated from his wife when he went to prison. That affects what he does and why he does it,” he added.
The Excitement of Cannes Series Selection
Each year, eight series are selected to premiere and compete in the main competition at Cannes Series, vying for various awards. The team behind Reykjavik Fusion is understandably thrilled by the selection. “We’ve received very positive feedback internationally,” Milla said. “We were a bit surprised to be selected, but in a way not too much. We’re striking a slightly different chord with this series.”
The series was written by Hörður Rúnarsson and Birkir Blær Ingólfsson, who are also the creators. Cinematography is handled by Óttar Guðnason, with Samúel Bjarki Pétursson and Gunnar Páll Ólafsson as directors, both of whom have extensive experience in directing commercials. “We’ve been nagging them for ten, fifteen years to direct something other than commercials,” Ólafur Darri noted.
ACT4’s Future Projects and Cultural Impact
ACT4 is not solely focused on promoting Reykjavik Fusion. They are also preparing for the production of a new series titled “Bless, bless Blesi,” which will begin filming this summer and air on RÚV. “There are several series in the pipeline, and there’s a lot of interest,” Milla Ósk concluded. “Being selected for Cannes shows what we’re capable of; it’s exciting to feel the demand and we can be proud of our culture.”
The creation of ACT4’s name reflects a keen awareness of market strategies, positioning them advantageously at industry events. Their debut series, slated for an autumn release, has already garnered international attention by securing a premiere spot at Cannes Series.