New Films from Lasse Hallstrom, Roy Andersson Get Swedish Subsidies

COLOGNE, Germany - The Hypnotist, the first Swedish-language film from triple Oscar-nominee Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules), picked up $1.8 million (SEK 12 million) in funding from the Swedish film board while the latest art house drama from veteran Roy Andersson (Songs from the Second Floor) secured $1.6 million (SEK 11 million) towards its production budget. Both films are currently shooting in Stockholm.

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The Hypnotist features Hallstrom's wife Lena Olin, Swedish star Mikael Persbrandt (In A Better World) and Finish actor Tobias Zilliacus in an adaptation of the global best-selling crime novel from Lars Kepler.

Andersson's A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence is the final film in the director's trilogy which began with Cannes jury-prize winner Songs from the Second Floor (2000) and You, the Living (2007).

A Pigeon stars Holger Andersson and Nisse Vestblom as two world-weary salesmen of novelty items whose road trip turns into a wide-ranging reflection on the meaning, and absurdity, of life.