We're unabashed fans of Norwegian helmer Joachim Trier here at The Playlist. Having studied at the National Film and Television School in the U.K., Trier made a storming feature debut in 2006 with "Reprise," which followed two young aspiring novelists (and which we named our favorite film of 2008 when it finally hit the U.S.), and he finally followed it up last year with the excellent "Oslo, August 31," which saw him reteam with star Anders Danielsen Lee, who played a heroin addict fresh out of rehab.
That film bowed at Cannes in 2011, and Strand have picked it up for a U.S. release later this year, but Trier isn't hanging around to wait for it. CineEuropa report that the director is already prepping for his next movie, one that should bring him to his widest audience yet. According to the site, the director, producer Sigve Endressen and L.A.-based Bona Fide Productions ("Little Miss Sunshine," "Little Children") are starting to put together the financing and cast for "Louder Than Bombs," which will mark Trier's third feature.
And as Bona Fide's participation might suggest, "Louder Than Bombs" is an English-language project that will shoot in the States, co-written with 'Oslo' co-screenwriter Eskil Vogt. The script actually was intended to come after "Reprise," but was delayed, causing Trier to make 'Oslo' in only four months. There are no concrete details on the plot, although an article in Clash Magazine last fall revealed that the movie is a family drama with a "Rashomon"-style plot conceit, telling "how events differ from the perspective of four family members." The title, as you might have guessed, is a reference to The Smiths' compilation album (no surprise, given the ace soundtracks of Trier's films to date), but will also refer to the Elizabeth Smart poem "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down And Wept" from which Morrissey pinched the title.
All in all, it's exciting news and we look forward to hearing more, including what kind of U.S. cast members Trier will be able to attract (although surely he'll find room for some of his favorites in the cast as well). If financing can be put together, filming will hopefully start in the fall for a 2013 release.
