Photo: NonStop Entertainment
‘Egghead Republic’ to premiere at TIFF
Egghead Republic, the latest feature from Swedish directorial duo Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja, will see its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4. It will be released theatrically in Sweden on November 21.
Freaky science fiction collides with a ruthless satire of gonzo journalism and indie-sleaze excess in this audacious feature. Even in an alternate timeline where the Cold War burned hot enough for an atomic bomb to fall on Soviet Kazakhstan, there persists a familiar constant: the unpaid internship. For Sonja Schmidt (Ella Rae Rappaport), it is thanks to this “exposure” economy that she is persuaded by hipper-than-thou culture mogul Dino Davis (Tyler Labine) to accompany a gonzo journalistic expedition to a joint Soviet/American military base that monitors a Kazak radioactive zone — one rumoured to be rife with irradiated centaurs.
‘Nightshifter’ and ‘The Sleepwalker’ shortlisted for 2025 BookBeat Award
Kristina Ohlsson’s Nightshifter, the fifth installment in her August Strindberg series, and Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker, the latest in the Joona Linna series, have both been shortlisted for this year’s BookBeat Award in the “Crime Book of the Year” category.
In addition, both authors have also been nominated for “Crime Writer of the Year.”
The winners will be determined based on BookBeat’s statistics from the past year, and will be announced during the Crimetime Awards ceremony at the Gothenburg Book Fair on September 27.
Trailer released for Disney+ Nordic crime drama ‘To Cook A Bear’
Disney+ has unveiled the official trailer for To Cook a Bear, an exclusive Disney+ Nordic Original series. The character-driven crime drama blends majestic landscapes, complex relationships and deep mystery and will be available to stream on Disney+ from October 15.
The 6-episode series is based on bestselling author Mikael Niemis’ book by the same name and features a star-studded cast including Gustaf Skarsgård, Ane Dahl Torp, Magnus Krepper, Johan Widerberg, Jonas Karlsson, Tyra Wingren, Simon J. Berger, Emil Kárlsen and Pernilla August.
To Cook a Bear is directed by Trygve Allister Diesen, written by Jesper Harrie and produced for Disney+ by Anagram.
New title: ‘From Björn Natthiko Lindeblad. With an open hand’
Some books are not simply words on paper, they are companions throughout life. This is one of those books.
With an open hand carries on the legacy of Björn Natthiko Lindeblad, whose words and insights have moved and inspired people all over the world. Through a careful selection of his texts, talks and reflections Caroline Bankler weaves together a book to return to – in good times and times of adversity alike. It’s a book to browse when the thoughts are spinning, when doubts begin to claw, or when a reminder of the beauty of life is needed. Here, gentle wisdom blends with moments of humor and human kindness. We encounter a voice that doesn’t preach, but share – and that encouragingly points out the treasure we already carry within us. Living with a closed fist or an open hand is a vital decision for us all. In this book the hand is opened in a spirit of curiosity, openness and deep trust. Just the way that Björn himself lived. With an open hand is a book to hold when the storm is brewing.
’The Sleepwalker’ No. 1 in Sweden
The weekly bestseller lists have just been released and the latest installment in Lars Kepler’s Joona Linna series, The Sleepwalker, claims the No. 1 spot in the paperback category.
Photo: Carl-Johan Utsi
‘Butterfly Heart’ finalist for the 2025 Kirkus Prize
Moa Backe Åstot’s Butterfly Heart, honored with the prestigious Kirkus Star, has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature. The book is one of six titles, chosen from 497 eligible young readers’ books by the Kirkus jurors and editors.
The winner will be announced during an award ceremony in New York City on October 8.
‘Wolf Hour’ No. 1 in Ireland
Jo Nesbø’s Wolf Hour is the overall No. 1 in the full Irish chart this week.
‘The Night House’ first day of principal photography
Directed by Jesper Ganslandt, and written by Ganslandt together with Nesbø, the film stars Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Westworld) and Jacob Tremblay (Room, Good Boys) as the young and adult versions of the main character Richard.
‘Son’ No. 2 in Norway
Thomas Enger & Johana Gustawsson’s Son, the newly published first installment in their Kari Voss series, comes in at No. 2 on the e-book list this week.
Photo: Sofia Runarsdotter
‘The Escape from Earth’ shortlisted for Ark Children’s Book Award 2025
The first installment, The Escape from Earth, in Bobbie Peers’ new series Techno Zombie has been shortlisted for the Ark Children’s Book Award 2025. This prestigious annual prize celebrates the best children’s book of the year, with the winner being chosen by more than 10,000 children in grades 5 to 7. This marks Peers’ second nomination, following his win in 2015. The winner will be announced at an award ceremony in December.