Erik Hemmendorff in Cannes, 2008. Photo: Gunnar Rehlin
Erik Hemmendorff was born in 1973 and has attended The School of Film Directing at the Gothenburg University. He is now running the production company Plattform produktion in Gothenburg, with Ruben Östlund. In addition to producing films, Erik has also been working as a director, scriptwriter, photographer, and more. In 2008, he produced the much talked-about mobile documentary An Extraordinary Study in Human Degradation (En enastående studie i mänsklig förnedring, directed by Patrik Eriksson), and the celebrated Involuntary (De ofrivilliga, directed by Ruben Östlund), which he also co-wrote with the director. Both films were nominated for Guldbagge awards, and Plattform also received The Cinematheque's gold card.*
Involuntary and An Extraordinary Study in Human Degradation have been screened at film festivals all over the world, and Involuntary made it all the way to the Cannes film festival last year, where it appeared in the Un Certain Regard section. Involuntary will also be released in at least 25 French cinemas on April 29th. The French title will be Happy Sweden.
The documentary Greetings from the Woods (Hälsningar från skogen by Mikael Cee Karlsson) is currently showing both in cinemas in Sweden, and at Plattform's own website. Right now, Hemmendorff is working with Ruben Östlund's upcoming feature film Play, which will be shot in the fall of 2009.
Being named Producer on the Move means that the Swedish representative in Cannes will get to meet about twenty other up and coming European film producers. The producers will discuss their upcoming and ongoing projects with each other, and participate in meetings about co-productions, and a pitch forum. The idea is to draw international attention to European films, and to give the producers an opportunity to make contacts for future European productions.
- I am delighted to be able to return to the Cannes film festival. And I don't think it will be the last time either; I will set the stage for Ruben's next film Play and Axel Danielsson's Pang Pangbröder, says Erik Hemmendorff.
- Ever since the Cannes festival last year we've been enjoying the international success of Involuntary, both when it comes to festivals, awards and sales. The fact that Erik is now working on a new feature film with Ruben Östlund makes this even more exciting, since several earlier Swedish Producers on the Move, thanks to this event, have been able to get in touch with foreign co-producers for their productions, says the head of the Film Institute's International unit, Pia Lindberg.
Please note!
Erik Hemmendorff will attend the Film Institute's press conference, Sunday May 17th at 12.00, at the Scandinavian terrace, 55, la Croisette.
Previous Swedish Producers on the Move
Fredrik Heinig (2008), Ulf Synnerholm (2007), Helen Ahlsson (2006), Lena Rehnberg (2005), Charlotta Denward (2004), Peter Hiltunen (2003), Anna Anthony (2002) and Anne Ingvar (2001). This year marks the Producers on the Move's 10th anniversary, and all of the appointees will be invited to EFP's annual lunch in Cannes.
* The Cinematheque's gold card has been handed out since 2007, and is awarded to someone who has made crucial contributions to Swedish cinema.
Do you want to get in touch with Erik?
Contact Jan Göransson;jan.goransson@sfi.se.