15/11/2024 - Director Jesper Ganslandt and scriptwriter Oskar Söderlund are behind this elaborate piece of Arctic Circle noir based on a Hans Rosenfeldt crime novel

Cry Wolf, an elaborate Swedish miniseries based on Hans Rosenfeldt’s crime novel Vargasommar (lit. “Wolf Summer”), has world-premiered at the 35th Stockholm International Film Festival. Presented in the festival’s freshly launched series section, this and four other entries are being given some big-screen exposure before moving on to the streaming services. Such initiatives are welcome, at least when the result looks as striking as it does here, thanks chiefly to the geographical setting, way up north in Haparanda, literally by the Swedish-Finnish border. This is Arctic Circle Nordic noir under the midnight sun, with a touch of almost gothic ambience thrown in for good measure.

The adaptation involves an illustrious variety of northern talent on both sides of the camera, notwithstanding originator Rosenfeldt himself, the celebrated creator of The Bridge and Marcella. Leading the cast is Eva Melander (Border [+see also:
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interview: Gizem Erdogan
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interview: Ruben Östlund
film profile]), whose daughter Elin disappeared 19 years ago at the age of four, without a trace to this day. In no uncertain terms, these people have their work cut out for them for some time to come. Should they stay alive, that is.

Director Jesper Ganslandt (Falkenberg Farewell [+see also:
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film profile]) and scriptwriter Oskar Söderlund (Greyzone), both recently collaborating on Snabba Cash [+see also:
interview: Evin Ahmad
series profile], have conspicuously added some Coen brothers DNA into the mix. Playing around with the universe of Fargo and No Country for Old Men does indeed sit well with the moods and temperaments of the region and its people at hand, and Eliot Sumner certainly gives Javier Bardem a run for his money. Add to this a dark, deadpan humour that is skilfully handled right down to the supporting parts, all ably handpicked by Ruben Östlund’s regular casting director Pauline Hansson together with Eija Skarsgård (yet another Stellan offspring). Cinematographer Jallo Faber (Gentlemen [+see also:
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film profile], Troll) captures the unique light and turns Haparanda into a character in its own right. Author Rosenfeldt is said to currently be writing a sequel, which more or less demands to be shot one day soon.

Cry Wolf is a Swedish production staged by TV4 Drama and Nordic Drama Queens, and co-produced by ZDF, Filmpool Nord and Fifth Season (which also handles the international sales).