Frida Kempff will direct The Swedish Torpedo, a new period drama inspired by the life of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim across the English Channel.

The story is set in 1939, a time when Europe is on the brink of war. Sally, a 30-year-old single mum, dreams of being the first Scandinavian woman to cross the English Channel. While both society and her family urge her to follow her duties as a mother, she breaks conventions to pursue her dreams. The cast is toplined by Josefin Neldén (Border, 438 Days), Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (A Royal Affair, Borgen) and Lisa Carlehed (The Emigrants).

The project will commence filming in August in Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and in the UK.

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.

Following its world premiere in the Midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival, Frida Kempff’s Knocking has opened in US cinemas to great acclaim. The movie will be released in Sweden on November 5. 

Knocking, based on Johan Theorin’s short story Knocks, revolves around a woman who moves into a new apartment after a tragic accident and begins to hear a disturbing knocking, which sounds like a call for help or a message in Morse code. She confronts her neighbours as the knocking intensifies but it becomes clear that no one else can hear it.

“Gripping from first scene to last.”
– The Hollywood Reporter 

“With Knocking, Kempff masterfully crafts the slow steady decline of a mind on edge. /…/ A real masterclass of building tension and character work. /…/ All will be kept on the edge of their seat.” 
– The Hollywood News

“Knocking is a Aronofsky-like knockout.”
– Pajiba

“A stifling, claustrophobic nightmare. /…/ A smouldering slow-burn of a movie that will linger in your mind for some time.” 
– Starburst Magazine

“A sharp debut. /…/ Strikingly atmospheric cinematography and an intense central performance.” 
– Screen Daily

Frida Kempff (b. 1977), Swedish director and screenwriter, began her visual arts career in television, where she produced and directed several projects and documentaries. Following her graduation from the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts, Kempff made a splash on the international scene with her 2009 documentary short, Bathing Micky. The title won several international awards, including the Prix du Jury at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. 

In 2015, Kempff made her full-length debut with the documentary Winter Buoy. The film premiered at the Gothenburg Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Nordic Dragon Award for ‘Best Nordic Documentary’. Winter Buoy went on to win ‘Best Documentary’ at the Nordic International Film Festival in the US.

Knocking, Kempff’s debut feature film, premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section. Currently she is working on a feature film called The Swedish Torpedo, which tells the story of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim the English Channel. Kempff is the director of the film as well as one of the co-writers.