Distribution rights for the Norwegian film Growth of the Soil have been sold to North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and other countries. The film, directed by Hans Petter Moland, is Norway's entry in the Oscar race for Best International Feature Film.
The film's world premiere was at the Toronto International Film Festival, and its European premiere was at San Sebastián, where it received two awards: the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance and the Jury Prize for Best Cinematography. The film was then screened at festivals in Warsaw, Rio de Janeiro, Denver, and Mar del Plata; it also opened the Bergen International Film Festival. In addition, the film has been shortlisted for the European Film Awards in the main category of Best Film.
The rights are being handled by Beta Cinema. The film will be seen by audiences in North America (distributor Greenwich Entertainment), Germany and Austria (Neue Visionen), Italy (Teodora Film), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), the United Kingdom and Ireland (Conic), the Benelux countries (Cherry Pickers), and Switzerland (Frenetic Films). Rights have also been acquired by companies in Greece, the Baltic states, Hungary, Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. In Scandinavia, the film was released by Scanbox Entertainment; in Norway, it took first place at the box office on its opening weekend.
The film is based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel. It tells the story of Isak, a man who goes into the mountains to build a new life. He finds a harsh plot of land high above the forest and meets a woman named Inger. Together, they create a home and a family from almost nothing, but over time, their relationship and the world around them begin to change.
The lead roles are played by Herbert Nordrum and Asta Kamma August. Director Hans Petter Moland previously directed the films Out Stealing Horses, In Order of Disappearance, and A Somewhat Gentle Man. His films have been selected for the main competition at the Berlin International Film Festival four times. Moland co-wrote the screenplay with Gard Eidsvold. The cinematographer is Oskar Dahlsbakken.
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