M-Appeal acquires worldwide rights to “Love” and “Dreams”

“Love” (courtesy of Motlys)

M-Appeal has acquired the worldwide rights to “Love” and “Dreams,” Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud’s follow-up to “Sex,” which premiered at the Berlinale earlier this year. M-Appeal already managed the rights to “Sex.”

“Love” and “Dreams” complete Haugerud’s impressive trilogy, which deals with the complexities of human relationships, sexuality and social norms.

Love tells the story of Marianne, a pragmatic doctor, and Tor, a compassionate nurse, both of whom avoid conventional relationships. One evening, after a blind date, Marianne meets Tor on a ferry. Tor often spends his nights there seeking casual encounters with men and sharing his experiences of spontaneous intimacy and meaningful conversations. Intrigued by his perspective, Marianne begins to question societal norms and explore whether such casual intimacy could be an option for her too.

“The film offers an interesting look at female sexuality at its core and explores the differences in societal expectations and judgements towards women’s sexual freedom compared to men, particularly gay men,” it said in a statement.

“Described as romantic, endearing and sensual, Love captivates the general public with its outstanding imagery and powerful narrative, with Oslo appearing as a living character. The romantic film is intended to inspire reflection and discussion on sexual freedom and relationships for all genders, and encourage viewers to reflect on their own expectations and beliefs.”

Dreams follows Johanne, a girl who falls head over heels in love with her teacher and experiences her first intense crush. To preserve her feelings, she documents her emotions and experiences in writing. When her mother and grandmother read what she has written, they are initially shocked by the intimate content, but soon become intrigued by the literary qualities. As they debate the morality and potential consequences of publishing Johanne’s writings, she navigates the contrast between romantic ideals and reality and delves into a journey through the intense emotions of self-discovery, love, and sexuality.

“Dreams” presents “a profound female perspective on love, relationships, sexuality and self-discovery from three generations, bringing depth and realism to the characters’ experiences,” a statement said.

“The film portrays the great vulnerability and excitement of first love with authenticity and sensitivity. The film features beautiful and artistic cinematography that enhances the narrative and emotional impact.”

“Sex”, the first film in the trilogy, premiered at the Berlinale in the Panorama section and won three awards there. The film has so far been sold to North America, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Spain, Italy, France, Great Britain and Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, the former Yugoslavia, Hungary, South Korea and Indonesia.