Frenetic Films Boards Playtime-Sold Locarno Buzz Title ‘Solomamma’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Adding to the run-up of pre-Locarno business, in one key distribution deal, Zurich-based Frenetic Films, one of Switzerland’s most highly-regarded arthouse/crossover distribution houses, has secured Swiss rights to “Solomamma,” a buzz title which will have its world premiere in main International Competition at the Locarno Film Festival, which runs Aug 6-16.

The deal has been struck by prestigious pan-European sales agent and production force Playtime, which has also closed additional pre-sales to Italy (Teodora), Benelux (Imagine), Israel (New Cinema) and Hungary (Budapest Film). “Solomamma” lead producer, Bacon Pictures Oslo, has already struck an distribution deal with Scanbox for Scandinavia, in a larger slate arrangement between the two companies.

The first feature from Norway’s Janicke Askevold, after the made-for-TV “Sammen Alene,” “Solomamma” marks the first time a Norwegian film has been selected for Locarno since 1975’s “Wives.”

That said, its selection is hardly surprising. Starring Lisa Loven Kongsli (“Force Majeure”) and Herbert Nordrum (“The Worst Person in the World”), it rolls off inclusion in Göteborg Festival’s Discovery (2024) and Works in Progress (2025) strands and Les Arcs’ Work in Progress last December. There it proved one of the festival’s biggest buzz titles, Variety reported, winning the 22 Music Award.

A drama, with comedic moments, “Solomamma” turns on Edith, 40, a journalist and single mother. When the identity of her son’s sperm donor is unexpectedly revealed – Neils, who’s been the creative head behind an addictive vid game, she seeks him out under the false pretext of conducting an interview on him and his tech company. Yet they establish a genuine connection as Edith’s lies deepen, shaking up not only Edith’s own life and emotions but those of everyone around her.

“Torn between desire, duty and identity, she navigates love, ethics and motherhood in a deeply personal journey,” Askevold has said in a director’s note.

Written by Askevold alongside Jørgen Færøy Flasnes (“My Wonderful Stranger”) and Mads Stegger (“The Last Paradise on Earth”), “Solomamma” joins Cannes Palme d’Or winner “A Simple Accident” and Grand Prix laureate “Sentimental Value” on Frenetic’s slate of pick-ups screening at Locarno.

“We are delighted that Frenetic is our partner for the distribution of ‘Solomamma’ in Switzerland,” said Playtime co-CEO Sébastien Beffa. “We have built up a strong relationship over many years and are very confident that they will do an excellent job of promoting this highly contemporary film, with its sharp insight from a director who I believe will continue to build on this promising start.”

“Frenetic Films has been following exciting Norwegian filmmaking for several years now,” added Frenetic’s co-director Mischa Schiwow. “After ‘Louder than Bombs’ and ‘The Worst Person in the World,’ this year our company is to bring a third film from Joachim Trier, ‘Sentimental Value,’ to cinemas. Following ‘Armand’ by Halfdan Ullman Tøndel, we are delighted to bring ‘Solomamma’ by Janicke Askevold, another newcomer from Norway, to Swiss cinemas.”

“Solomamma” is produced by Rebekka Rognøy, Magnus Nygaard Albertsen and Gary Cranner for Bacon Pictures Oslo, along with three live wire co-producers in Lithuania’s Dansu Films, behind “Troll Farm,” a Berlinale Series Market Selects title, as well as Latvia’s Mistrus Media, which produced 2022 Tribeca winner “January” and Finland’s It’s Alive, producer of Finland’s 2018 Oscar entry “Euthanizer.” Bacon Pictures CPH (Denmark) also co-produces. Torjus Thesen serves as DP, Patrick Larsgaard as editor.