Photo: Carl Martin Nordby Photo: Carl Martin Nordby

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Anna Bache-Wiig & Siv Rajendram Eliassen

Screenwriter duo Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig are the creators behind Norwegian success drama TV series Acquitted (2015) which was nominated for ‘Best Screenwriter’ and ‘Best Mini-Series’ at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

Rajendram Eliassen and Bache-Wiig wrote the screenplay for the praised U – July 22 (2018), directed by one of Norway’s most esteemed directors, Erik Poppe. U – July 22 won the 2018 Berlin Ecumenical Prize and has received fantastic reviews both in Norway and internationally. NRK described it as “Nothing less than a masterpiece”.

Their latest TV-series creation, Witch Hunt, premiered in 2020 on TV 2 Norway and has received outstanding reviews in the Norwegian press. Witch Hunt was also nominated for ‘Best TV Drama’ at the Golden Screen Awards.

Rajendram Eliassen and Bache-Wiig are the writers of The Emigrants, based on the classic 1949 novel of the same name, written by Vilhelm Moberg. The Emigrants is directed by Erik Poppe and premiered in December 2021 to great reviews. The epic drama was shortlisted for Sweden’s submission to the Academy Award for ‘Best International Feature Film’.

Siv Rajendram Eliassen has extensive experience in television drama and feature film. Primarily working with television, Siv has written and co-written some of Norway’s high profile series like Battalion (2002), Above All (2007), and Codename Hunter 2 (2008). Together with her co-writers she won the Golden Screen Award for Ran and Above All. She was also one of the writers awarded with the Amanda Award for ‘Best Screenplay’ for the feature Fallen Angels (2008). Furthermore, her work includes the Danish TV series Den som dræber (2011) which was remade to an English language version titled Those Who Kill (2014), starring Chlöe Sevigny.

Anna Bache-Wiig graduated from Norway’s State Theatre School in 1998 and has since then worked as an actress on several of Norway’s biggest theatre scenes. She has excelled in various plays (Antigone by Sophocles and Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen), as well as in some of Norway’s most popular TV series and films including Mammon (2014), Cosy (2010), Fallen Angels (2010), Mirush (2007) and Buddy (2003). Additionally, Bache-Wiig is a critically acclaimed writer, she debuted with her novel Most Beautiful of All (2003), which was followed by A Summer Night’s Dream (2005), Lasse’s House (2009) and thereafter her first children’s book Don Fritjof (2010).

Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig started their collaboration in 2011.

Awards

Academy Awards Shortlist (Best International Feature Film) Sweden – Utvandrarna The Emigrants 2021
Seriekritikerprisen Nominee (Best Drama) Norway – Heksejakt Witch Hunt 2020
Golden Screen Award Nominee (Best TV Drama) Norway – Heksejakt Witch Hunt 2020
Valladolid International Film Festival Nominee (Best Film) Spain – Utøya 22. juli U - July 22 2018
Ghent International Film Festival Nominee (Best Film) Belgium – Utøya 22. juli U - July 22 2018
Amanda Awards Nominee (Best Film) Norway – Utøya 22. juli U - July 22 2018
Amanda Awards Nominee (Best Screenplay) Norway – Utøya 22. juli U - July 22 2018
Berlin International Film Festival (Ecumenical Prize) Germany – Utøya 22. juli U - July 22 2018
Seoul International Drama Awards Nominee (Best Mini-Series) South Korea – Frikjent Acquitted 2015
Seoul International Drama Awards Nominee (Best Screenwriter) South Korea – Frikjent Acquitted 2015
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Filmography

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‘Quisling’ to start filming

The shooting of the film and TV series about Vidkun Quisling, the man responsible for one of the greatest betrayals during World War II, is about to begin.

Erik Poppe is director of this psychological drama, and the script is written by Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen. Actors Anders Danielsen Lie and Gard B. Eidsvold are set to headline.

In the story of Quisling’s last days, we get a condensed insight into a psychological and claustrophobic battle about truth and lies, faith and doubt. The project has its origins in extensive research and unique source material. Among the sources is a diary written by the priest Peder Olsen, Quisling’s confidante and one of his two counselors in prison, from the arrest of Quisling until his execution on 24 October 1945.

The project includes both a theatrical film and a TV series for TV2, that are expected to premiere in fall 2024.

‘The Emigrants,’ ‘Knocking’ and ‘JJ+E’ nominated for the 2021 Guldbagge Awards

The nominations for the 2021 Guldbagge Awards have been announced and The Emigrants, written by Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig, received a staggering seven nominations, including for ‘Best Film.’

Knocking, directed by Frida Kempff, and JJ+E, directed by Alexis Almström, received three nominations each.

The Guldbagge Awards ceremony will be held in Stockholm on January 24, 2022.

‘The Emigrants’ chosen as a Swedish Oscar submission nominee

Today the Swedish Oscar Committee presented the shortlist for Sweden’s submission to the Academy Award for ‘Best International Feature Film.’ The Emigrants, screenwriters Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig’s adaptation of Vilhelm Moberg’s immortal classic, is one of three titles in the running.

The Emigrants is the story of Kristina Nilsson, a mother who leaves a poverty-stricken Sweden with her family in the 1850s and sets out on a long, dangerous journey, hoping to find a better life for herself and her children in America. Starring Lisa Carlehed and Gustaf Skarsgård, the story is now being told from Kristina’s perspective for the first time ever.

Acclaimed Norwegian filmmaker Erik Poppe is the director of the film, which is produced by Fredrik Wikström Nicastro, SF Studios, with support from the Swedish Film Institute.

‘22 July’ wins Best Drama at Seriekritikerprisen

The lauded drama series 22 July, created by Sara Johnsen and Pål Sletaune, has been awarded ‘Best Drama’ at the newly founded Norwegian Seriekritikerprisen.

Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen’s successful series Witch Hunt earned a nomination in the same category, and won ‘Best Actor’ for lead actress Ingrid Bolsø Berdal’s performance as the main character.

Seriekritikerprisen is the first Norwegian Critics Award solely for TV series. The jury consists of 18 critics from Norwegian media houses, and the awards come in three categories: ‘Best Drama,’ ‘Best Comedy’ and ‘Best Actor’.

‘The Emigrants’ to premiere in 2021

Last year it was revealed that there will be a remake of The Emigrants, the beloved Swedish period drama based on Vilhelm Moberg’s classic novel. It is now official that the shooting will begin in September, and the premiere has been set for Christmas Day, 2021.

The Emigrants will be directed by Erik Poppe and the screenplay written by Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anne Bache-Wiig. Lisa Carlehed and Gustaf Skarsgård will portray Kristina and Karl-Oskar. Also among the cast are Sofia Helin and Liv Ullmann.

‘22 July’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Witch Hunt’ nominated for the Golden Screen Awards

The nominees for the 2020 Golden Screen Awards have been revealed. The Golden Screen (Gullruten) is the annual award for the Norwegian TV industry and their equivalent to the American Emmy Awards.

Pål Sletaune and Sara Johnsen are both nominated for their lauded TV series 22 July, Sletaune for ‘Best Director’ and Johnsen for ‘Best Script’. 22 July is also nominated for ‘Best TV Drama’. Øystein Karlsen, creator of the success series Exit, is nominated for ‘Best Script’ and ‘Best Director’ alongside Exit’s nominations for ‘Best TV Drama’ and ‘Best Innovation’. The much acclaimed TV series Witch Hunt, created and written by Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen, is also nominated for ‘Best TV Drama’.

The winners will be announced on July 19 and the award show will air on TV 2 Norway and TV 2 Sumo.

‘Witch Hunt’ lauded in the Norwegian press

Witch Hunt, the latest TV-series creation from the renowned screenwriter duo Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig, premiered January 9 on TV 2 Norway and has received outstanding reviews in the Norwegian press.

Witch Hunt must be the most important Norwegian drama series of the year. /…/ The escalating conflict is topical, striking and has a pronounced nerve.”
Dagbladet

“I would like to commend Bache-Wiig and Rajendram for creating the solid concept and form of this series. /…/ High quality through and through.”
Filmfront

“Exciting and shocking. /…/ The creators Rajendram and Bache-Wiig have constructed a complex and believable story.”
Stavanger Aftenblad

“A well-written and clever script. /…/ High quality craftsmanship.”
NRK P3

“This is deliciously entertaining.”
Verdens Gang

“Rarely has a Norwegian TV series introduced its themes and aesthetics in a more concise or elegant way. /…/ A clever drama thriller filled with connotations.”
Morgenbladet

“Top quality.”
730

“Meticulously and realistically portrayed.”
Dagsavisen

“Siv Rajendram and Anna Bache-Wiig knows how to deliver quick twist and turns and blindside their heroes and villains.”
Aftenposten

Trailer release for ‘Witch Hunt’

Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig’s latest TV-series creation, Witch Hunt, is the story of how one single action can trigger a scandal of national proportions with consequences reaching as far up as Norway’s elite. With a focus on power struggles and corruption, Rajendram Eliassen and Bache-Wiig delve deep into the psychological, relational and political consequences of whistleblowing.

Witch Hunt is produced by Miso Film Norway and will premiere on TV 2 Norway in early 2020.

Click “Read more” to watch the trailer.

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New adaptation of ‘The Emigrants’

It is now official that The Emigrants, a remake of the beloved Swedish period drama based on Vilhelm Moberg’s classic novel, will be directed by Erik Poppe. The screenplay will be written by Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anne Bache-Wiig, who recently collaborated with Poppe also on the award-winning U-July 22 (2018).

The Emigrants tells the story of Kristina and her husband Karl-Oskar, who emigrate from Sweden to America in the 1850s. Determined to flee poverty, religious persecution and social oppression, they head across the Atlantic in search of a better life.

Fredrik Wikström Nicastro produces for SF and the film will shoot in 2020.

Photo: Pål Laukli/TV 2

‘Witch Hunt’ to premiere on TV 2 Norway

The brilliant screenwriter duo, Siv Rajendram Eliassen and Anna Bache-Wiig, behind the highly successful TV series Acquitted (2015-2016) and the praised feature film U -July 22 (2018), are now further establishing their position as storytellers with a strong and societally engaging voice.

Their new TV series Witch Hunt is the story of how one single action can trigger a scandal of national proportions with consequences affecting all the way up to Norway’s elite society. With a focus on power struggles and corruption, Rajendram Eliassen and Bache-Wiig delve deep into the psychological, relational and political consequences of whistleblowing.

Witch Hunt is produced by Miso Film Norway and will premiere on TV 2 Norway in early 2020.

‘U – July 22’ praised in The New Yorker

U – July 22 has since its premiere at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival received rave reviews and numerous prestigious awards and nominations. The New Yorker has now joined in the chorus of praise, applauding the film for its one-take concept among else.

“[The] combination of extreme subject matter, supercharged emotional stakes, and the one-take approach make for a transformative cinematic experience. /…/ They succeed in making us feel as though we are legitimate eyewitnesses to the action.”
-The New Yorker

U – July 22 is written by Anna Bache-Wiig & Siv Rajendram Eliassen, and directed by Erik Poppe.

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‘U – July 22’ nominated for seven awards at the Norwegian International Film Festival

U – July 22 has been lauded all over the world and referred to as a “masterpiece” by critics. It is now official that it has also been nominated in seven categories at the Norwegian International Film Festival, among them for ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Norwegian Film.’

U – July 22 is written by Anna Bache-Wiig and Siv Rajendram Eliassen, and directed by Erik Poppe.

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