ARN – an epic tale

The film about Arn and Cecilia is set in as well as the Middle East, and offers a rich gallery of brave knights, powerful queens and treacherous kings. It is a tale of war and intrigue, friendship and betrayal, but also an unforgettable love story.

Arn Magnusson is born in 1150 on Arnas farm in West Gothia in the western part of Sweden. He grows up to become an educated young man and a skilled swordsman. He meets Cecilia, the love of his life, but a cruel and jealous world forces them apart. Cecilia is imprisoned in a monastery and Arn is sent away as a Knight Templar to the Holy Land, where war is raging between Christians and Muslims. They both have to fight to survive, they have to learn how to confront evil and overcome physical hardship. Their painful separation causes their faith in God and his goodness to waver – though not their faith in each other and their confidence that they will one day be reunited. When Arn returns home he has to fight for his love and what has become his life’s mission: to unite Sweden into one kingdom.

ARN – ’s best-selling novels When Arn is 18 years old, he is sent back to featuring the Swedish crusader Arn his family. He meets the fair Cecilia and they Magnusson adapted for the screen. fall deeply in love, but are prevented from marrying by the Sverkare dynasty currently The first novel in the trilogy about the ruling the kingdom. In an attempt to win Knight Templar Arn was published in 1998, Cecilia’s hand Arn becomes involved in the a tale about the emergence of what we murder of the King. Before long, however, today call Sweden. The story combines the young lovers become victims of the fiction with historical fact and makes power struggle between the worldly powers references to real events and people. and the Church. Cecilia’s pregnancy is used as pretence to condemn her to 20 years in the convent run by the cruel Mother Superior Rikissa. Arn is forced to go to the Holy Land to become a Knight Templar and fight in the In the year 1150, Arn Magnusson is born into one of war against the Saracens. the principal Swedish noble families at a time when the kingdom is in a state of inner turmoil. When he is seven years old he miraculously survives a severe accident. As a tribute to God in return for allowing him to live, Arn is sent to a monastery to be raised by monks. Brother Guilbert soon discovers the boy’s many talents and becomes his mentor. Guilbert can see that God has great plans for Arn, and trains the boy to use his intellect as skilfully as his sword.

In the convent, Cecilia gives birth to a son who is immediately taken away from her. She suffers greatly from the harsh Meanwhile, Arn builds a reputation for himself in the treatment at the hands of Rikissa who Holy Land as a great military leader and a man of his is jealous of Cecilia and Arn’s love. word. Even the Saracens fear and respect him, especially Fortunately enough, Cecilia finds an after his incredible victory at Mont Gisard. Arn also has ally in her friend Blanka. They team up great respect for the Muslims and develops a friendship together against Rikissa and when of sorts with the most feared Muslim leader of them all – Blanka is made queen, she makes sure . When Arn’s 20 years are up and the Knights that the abbess can hurt Cecilia no Templar lose the city of , Saladin spares Arn’s further. However, Blanka cannot make life. Arn journeys home to create unity and peace in his the Church lift its unjust sentence, and own land and to marry Cecilia. Cecilia is forced to remain imprisoned at the convent.

Arn did not live to see the kingdom unified, but his legacy lived on in his grandson who fulfilled his grandfather’s dream and created the country we know today as Sweden.

When Arn returns he discovers that there still are those who want to keep him and his beloved Cecilia apart. But thanks to the slyness of queen Blanka, Arn and Cecilia may finally marry. They make a home together and have another child. But Arn knows that war is brewing - it is only a matter of time before the Sverkare dynasty try to regain the throne with the help of their Danish kinsmen. With his knowledge of foreign war strategy and techniques, Arn builds an army to face them. In a mighty final battle he defeats the foreign invaders, but is badly wounded, and returns home only to die in the arms of his beloved Cecilia.

Jan Guillou Peter Flinth author and journalist director

The famous novelist Jan Guillou was born in 1944 and currently lives in . Peter Flinth graduated from The National Film School of in 1993, and currently He started his career as a reporter in 1966, and apart from writing novels he has since lives in Copenhagen. In addition to TV series and feature films, he has directed many worked for various newspapers, magazines as well as for television. Since 1971 Jan commercials and short films. Peter made his directorial debut with the award-winning Guillou has written close to 40 novels. “Evil”, published in 1981, was made into a film “Eye of the Eagle” and in 2005 he directed the Swedish feature film “Mastermind” about and received an Oscar nomination in 2004. His ten novels featuring Carl Hamilton police inspector Wallander, with in the lead role. “The story of Arn have sold over 5 million copies, and the novels about the Knight Templar Arn and his Magnusson and his adventurous life is a dramatic tale as well as an unforgettable love descendants have so far sold 1.8 million copies worldwide. His latest novel, “Madame story. It is a tale of war and religion, love and betrayal. It is a cinematic account that has Terror”, was released in August 2006. just been waiting to be put on the screen!”, says Peter. Based on Jan Guillou’s novels: ARN is produced by AB Svensk Filmindustri ARN - THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM in collaboration with Telepool GmbH, Film i ARN - THE KNIGHT TEMPLAR ARN - THE KINGDOM AT THE END OF THE ROAD Väst, SVT, DR, Yle, TV2 Norge,Em quismodio Dagsljus, er iure dolorti ESP sequipit, volorero od euguero modolortis doluptat delit lore onsent ilit niamet nosto od er commy nim duipsuscilisTitle: ARN alis – The Knightvendiam Templar quisi tis nulput lam, ver and Sheba Productions Ltdamcor with sequisci support blam dolutet, from acing ex etum ilisCountry dio consec of -Origin:suscilis Sweden etum augait, verosto summodigna consequisim nul- tem inibh ea faciduntFirst Theatrical utpat. Ut Release:essim zzriurer December ametummy 25, 2007nos the ,laore Film tio Commissioner dolore euis alisit vel in lortis nosto odGenre: delis augait Adventure/Drama in ea coreet eliscil iquipit vel ipis veleseq uipsuscidunt ip eugait hendre tis aliscid uiscili quatisit, eratin utet, commy non veles- Format: 1:2,35 Marianne Ahrne. laor adion henim velisl ut ercillu velent velit duipism oloboreet, sequis adiamet nonsequat. mmolore do odolupt ationse quipsum vercilisSound: alit aliquip DTS sus -- DolbyAgna Digital faccum eu facil illaorp eraesequis niam, veraeseUt magna ad ming exerat velendit ting et lorperit Duration:doluptatue dunt - executive producer - script lute eum volorperit praesequis ad eugait, quipisi. exero commy nulla consecte tio JOHAN MARDELL HANS GUNNARSSON Feature Film: Approx. 140 minutes Johan Mardell started working with film and television in the mid-80s. Hans Gunnarsson was born in 1966. Writer of short stories, novels augiam, veliquam vercips ustis- Olore dolent lum eugue diam odignim duip elit prat, sustrud MAIN CAST cip elit lore ex esenibh estrud duis ad ea facilislTV dolutatet, Series: Approx. exeros 2x100 nullamet minutes nulluptatie In 2003, after fifteen years at SVT both as producer and as head and screenplays, who together with Mikael Håfström wrote the miniscilit dunt prat veriuscip- veliquat dignit ut atuer ali- dignim nostism odolore magnim of Fiction, Johan Mardell started working as head of production at screenplay for the Oscar-nominated feature ”Evil” (2004). sum vulputpat nos nonsed et qui tat. Ut aut ut nonsequis diamcom molorer susto enit JOAKIM NÄTTERQVISTvel et, volorer ilit wis dolore aliquam, consed ex enisse do- atue mod dignis nim ver incidu- Svensk Filmindustri. Apart from a wide range of children series and SOFIA HELIN velis etum vendipsuscip endrem loborerDirector iriliquat. Core tat lan ismod magna conPeter venit Flinth augue feature films, productions he was involved in include: the multi-award ERIC KRESS - cinematographer iure facilisit ulla feum zzril ex vent aliquat il eum essequam min velenissit nibh et at. Digna eu feumsandion vel doluptate alisis amconseExecutive quamcommy Producer nim conulla conullaJ ohanad eu facilMardell winning ”Faithless” (2000), ’s critically acclaimed Eric Kress is a Danish cinematographer active both in Sweden STELLAN SKARSGÅRD dolorper secte volor alismod vulla feugueProducer eum eugiam eum eugiamc ommolestrudWaldemar del Bergendahldo- ”Songs from the Second Floor” (2000), Susanne Bier’s ”Once in a and Denmark. In Sweden, e.g., he worked in a number of police SIMON CALLOW modolorero eugait adip et volendreProducer veliquipit landreet (Morocco) ad loborerat. Ut Jinan vel Marnell et alismolut Life Time” (2000) and Jan Troell’s ”As White as in Snow” (2001). detective films about inspector Wallander such as ”The Fifth VINCENT PEREZ eu feuisis alit numsandrem ilit magniamcor adit venibh elit ute augait la feuguerosto consec- ing et, veliquiscil incipsusto et consecteProducer te conulla (Sweden) faccum tem veliquis duisimLeif ametMohlin acipit Woman”, “The Midsummer Murders” directed by Birger Larsen BIBI ANDERSSON augiam zzrillumsan utatums an- diam, quatemScript vulput alit lorem aute molore enitHans irit verosto Gunnarsson et WALDEMAR BERGENDAHL – producer and “Mastermind” directed by Peter Flinth. drem vullametuero consenisim num vullam, corper at. Cing ilis at et, vulla facil eu facinci Director of Photography Eric Kress Waldemar Bergendahl began working in the film business in the late velisit augait vel irit ut dolup- erci bla feugiamconse dolut- blamet acilit augue duip et alis ANNA ASP – production designer MILIND SOMAN tatem veliquam, sequis ercin pate modProduction modigniam accumDesigner aliquamconumA ipnna ex er Asp sim vel 1950s, when he worked closely with on the features ver iuscilit, quis am, quat exerci iurem digniatCostume uerostie Design diam irilisl ese doloreKicki velisl Ilander erci tat. ”The Pram”, ”Raven’s End”, and ”Elvira Madigan” to name but a Anna Asp was born in 1946, and has since the early 70s enjoyed eraestrud et nostrud ming eum vent wis augiamc onsenisl do Equis nummy nullandion ut ALEX WYNDHAM quisit laore esto do commy nos eugiatisiChief ea commodo of Make-up luptate Artistullamcon henim Eva at, vonsi euguer Bahr- few. After shooting “The Ballad of Joe Hill” (1970), he spent a few a distinguished career as a production designer. In 1983, she won nonsed et, sustrud eugait ip tueriustieMake-up molorper Artist sum dolore cilit vel incin etueJenny etum Fred dunt an Oscar for best art direction in ’s ”Fanny & ANDERS BAASMO CHRISTIANSEN years working as a freelancer, during which time he worked with i.a. eratuer ostrud min utem ing er- elis dolortisPost-Production eugait laoreet iril Supervisor ipisit exero dignissenit Peter Bengtsson praestie Alexander”. She has also received two , the FRANK SIECKEL ostis iscidunt erilisi blandipit ut doluptat landiam dunt aciduipis faccummy nonulput lum dolore Sidney Lumet and Jerry Lewis. In 1975 director Olle Hellbom Editors Sören Ebbe, Anders Villadsen, Swedish equivalent to an Oscar, for “creative contributions to GUSTAF SKARSGÅRD exer in utpat, vullum quipsuscip amcon heniamet, velesequat dolorper ad dolore vel dolorem brought him over to Svensk Filmindustri where Waldemar produced et etumsan ute magnim zzrit ad vel ea faccum ad doluptat. Dui dio ea aut do Oeugaitlivier ea Bugge corperi Coutté Swedish film” for “The Best Intentions” in 1993, and “Evil” in 2004. JACOB CEDERGREN some 50 features before ”Arn – The Knight Templar”. He is best magnim verit lute delismodolor bla augiat,Sound quat ex elestrud ero ustrud ming eaB commoloremo Persson known for all the films (e.g. Pippi Longstocking) JULIA DUFVENIUS sum irillaorer irit nisit, conse- digna feuguer aessi. inismolorem vel exer ad tat. To nibh er iustrud eu facil iliquis Olum veratemMusic inim elis ad et utpat prat wisisciTuomas te do Kantelinen ea he made together with Olle Hellbom and Lasse Hallström. MIRJA TURESTEDT Waldemar was also the producer of Lasse Hallström’s famous NICHOLAS BOULTON Stills Photographers: Erik Aavatsmark, Fredric Alm, feature ””. STEVEN WADDINGTON Magnus Laupa and Bengt Wanselius. ARN MAGNUSSON - Joakim Nätterqvist BROTHER GUILBERT - Vincent Perez Joakim Nätterqvist was born in 1974 in and went to film school in Stockholm. Joakim grew up Vincent Pérez (born 1962) is a Swiss actor from Lausanne. At the age of eighteen he left Switzerland horse-back riding. He is an acknowledged equestrian and has a great interest in music and fencing. for France. He started his acting studies in Geneva and completed his training at L’École des Amandiers Joakim has so far performed nationally in several theatre plays, most recently in Lars Norén’s ”Terminal”. in Nanterre. Vincent is a director, producer and actor. He has starred in, among others; the Academy In film and television we have seen him in “Tsatsiki: Friends Forever” (2001), “We Can Be Heroes!” (2002), Award winning “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990) and “Indochine” (1992), Academy Award nominated “Queen “Deadline” (2001), “Waiting for the Tenor” (1998) and the TV Series “Poor Tom” (2002) among others. Margot” (1994). “The Crow: City of Angels” (1996), “Queen of the Damned” (2002) which was Aaliyah’s last feature and with Penelope Cruz in “Fanfan la Tulipe” (2003) directed by Gérard KRAWCZYK and produced by Luc Besson.

CECILIA ALGOTSDOTTER – Sofia Helin MOTHER RIKISSA - Bibi Andersson Sofia Helin enjoyed her real breakthrough in the Guldbagge-nominated lead role as Mia in the critically Graduated from the ’s acting school in 1956, and worked at the City Theatres acclaimed hit ”Darlecarlians”, directed by Maria Blom. She’s also appeared in ”Four Shades of Brown” up until 1959. Following her international success with Bergman’s ”Wild Strawberries”, Bibi Andersson which competed in the Rotterdam Film Festival. Most recently she played the lead role in Maria Blom’s appeared in a large number of films both in Sweden and abroad. She has won a number of film awards ”Nina Frisk”. The Swedish public will see her as Cecilia at Christmas 2007, when ”Arn – The Knight including Guldbagge Award, the Swedish Oscar, for her performances in Ingmar Bergman’s ”Persona” Templar” will be released. (1966), ”Shit Happens” (2002) and ”As if I Didn’t Exist” (2002), a Silver Bear in for her performance in Vilgot Sjöman’s ”The Mistress” (1962) and an award for best actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Ingmar Bergman’s ”So Close to Life” (1958).

BIRGER BROSA – Stellan Skarsgård Stellan Skarsgård is one of Sweden’s most internationally known actors. Stellan started working as FATHER HENRY - Simon Callow an actor when he was 16 years old and has since appeared in over 90 film and TV productions over Simon Callow (born 1949), attended the Drama Centre in the UK and works today as an actor, the years. He had his big international breakthrough when he played in Lars von Trier’s ”Breaking director as well as an author. He directed i.a. Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine (West End and Broad- the Waves” and the following year in the multi-award winning film by Steven Spielberg ”Amistad”. way), the opera Cosi Fan Tutte (Luzern) and the film “The Ballad of Sad Café” (1991). Simon played In 1998, Stellan Skarsgård won the European Film Award for “Outstanding Achievement in World in “Amadeus” (1984), “A Room with a View” (1985), “Maurice” (1987), “Four Weddings and a Funeral” Cinema” in . Over the past few years, he has appeared in ”King Arthur” (2004), ”Exorcist: (1994), “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), “The Phantom of the Opera” (2004) and “Bob the Butler” The Beginning” (2004), ”Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (2006), among others. (2005) with Brooke Shields. From television Simon is mostly known for the critically acclaimed HBO Most recently, he appeared in Milos Forman’s latest film ”Goya’s Ghosts”. mini-series “Angels in America” (2003), the title role in the Emmy-award winning drama-documentary “Galileo’s Daughter” (2002), “Miss Marple” (2004) and “Midsomer Murders” (2006). Simon was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1999. MAGNUS FOLKESSON - Michael Nyqvist - Nicholas Boulton Michael Nyqvist was trained at Malmö Theatre Academy and The National Theatre of . Nicholas Boulton (born 1968) is a UK actor trained at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He is known for starring in ’s ”Together” (2000), ’s Oscar-nominated Nicholas’ film appearances include: The Kovak Box (2006), Academy award winning “Topsy- ”” (2004) and Klaus Härö’s ”Mother of Mine” (2005). At the Chicago International Film Turvy” (1999) and “Shakespeare in Love” (1998). Nicholas’ TV credits include, among others; Festival, he won a Silver Hugo along with the rest of the cast in ”Day and Night”, and at the Gijón Mr Denning in “Dr Who”, “Broken News” (2005), Heartbeat (2004), “Life Begins I & II” International Film Festival he won the prize for best actor for his performance in ”Together”. (2004), ”The Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells” (2001), “Under the Moon” (1995) and “Two Golden Balls” (1994). SALADIN - Milind Soman Milind Soman, born in Scotland in 1965, is a famous Indian actor. After his engineering studies and KNUT ERIKSSON - Gustaf Skarsgård modelling career until 1995, he moved on to working within television and film. His first feature film The shooting star of 2007, Gustaf Skarsgård, graduated from the National Academy of Mime appearance was in ”Tarkieb” (2000) directed by Ismail Shroff, after which he played in, e.g., and Acting in Stockholm. His first feature film appearance was as a child actor in “Code Name ”16 December” (2002), ”The Fire and the Rain” (2002), “The Song of Love” (2002), “Rules: Pyaar Coq Rouge” (1989), after which he has appeared in, i.a., ”The Invisible” (2002), as Otto Silver- Ka Superhit” (2003), Valley of Flowers (2006). On television he appeared in ”A Mouthful of Sky” hielm in the Oscar-nominated ”Evil” (2003), directed by Mikael Håfström, ”The Color of Milk” (1995), “Margarita”, “Sea Hawks”. For his performance in ”The Fire and the Rain” (2002), he received (2004), ”Babylon Disease” (2004), and ”Kidz in da Hood” (2006). For his performance in a nomination from Screen Weekly Awards for best male actor in a lead role. ”Kidz in da Hood” he received a Guldbagge Award, a Swedish Oscar, for best male actor in a lead role.

TORROJA - Steven Waddington SIGFRIED de TURENNE - Frank Sieckel Steven Waddington is a British actor probably best known for his extensive film work. Credits Frank Sieckel (born in 1961) is a German actor trained in the College of Dramatic Arts in Leipzig. include: “Breakfast on Pluto” (2005); “The Parole Officer” (2001), Tim Burton’s Academy award Frank has starred in, among others; “12 means: I love you” (2007), “Africa – My Love” (2006), winning “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), “The Hole” (2001); “Face” (1997), “Carrington” (1995), “The last of “At the Height of the Summit” (2006), “Homesick for the Other Side” (2006), “In the Name of the Mohicans” (1992) and “Edward II” (1991). His television work includes: “The Tudors” (Showtime), Law” (2006), “Dresden – the Fire Storm” (2005)” “Sass – The Master Thieves” (2001), “Hope “Warriors: Richard the Lionheart” (BBC), “The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb” (Larry Levinson Dies Last” (2001). Productions), “Boudica: Warrior Queen” (Box TV) and “Ivanhoe” (BBC).

ARMAND de GASCOGNE - Alex Wyndham Alex Wyndham (born 1981) is a UK actor that graduated from RADA 2005 (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). He is mostly known for his appearance in the Emmy awarded and Golden Globe nominated television series ”Rome” (season II, 2007). Alex has also appeared in the feature film “As You Like It” (2006), the mini series ”The Line of Beauty” (2006) and television series “US 4/Totally Frank” (2007). HELENA SVERKERSSON - Julia Dufvenius CAST LIST Graduated from Gothenburg University’s Academy of Music and Drama 1996–99. FOLKUNG CLAN GUDHEM CONVENT Her TV appearances include the role of Karin in Ingmar Bergman’s ”Saraband”, at the Joakim Nätterqvist Arn Magnusson Bibi Andersson Mother Rikissa Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm she played the role of Gertrud in e.g. Schiller’s (Sverker clan abbess) Noa Samenius Arn (as a boy) ”Maria Stuart”, directed by Ingmar Bergman. Annika Hallin Sister Leone Sofia Helin Cecilia Algotsdotter Michael Nyqvist Magnus Folkesson (Arn’s father) VARNHEM MONASTERY (Arn’s mother) EBBE SUNESSON - Jakob Cedergren Mirja Turestedt Sigrid Simon Callow Father Henry Morgan Alling Eskil Magnusson Vincent Perez Brother Guilbert Jakob Cedergren was born in Sweden but grew up in Copenhagen. He graduated from (Arn’s older brother) The National Theatre School in 1997 and has since appeared in several theatre productions. Mikael Bohlin Eskil (as a boy) OTHERS He first became known in Denmark in 2000 for his performance as Bjarne Madsen in the Stellan Skarsgård Birger Brosa (Arn’s uncle) television series ”The Spider”. He also appeared in the Emmy-award winning television Martin Wallström Magnus Månsköld Catherine Hansson Dorotea (Cecilia’s mother)

Photo: Henrik Ginge series ”Nikolaj and Julie” (2002) and ”The Eagle” (2004). Other films he has appeared Elise Pärnärnen Alde Lina Englund Katarina Algotsdotter (Cecilia’s older sister) in include the multi-award winning ”Dark Horse” (2005) and last year in ”The Journals Niljas Øenbak Fjeldmose Sune Folkesson Robert Sjöblom Hirdman Sven (Arnäs farm) of Knud Rasmussen”. Josef Cahoon Sigge Folkesson Bo Andersson Hirdman Svante (Arnäs farm) Lisa Lindgren Salvia (maid Arnas farm) ERIK CLAN HARALD - Anders Baasmo Christiansen Atifi Zakaria Ibrahim Gustaf Skarsgård King Knut Eriksson Anders Baasmo Christiansen, born in 1976, is a Norwegian actor who had his breakthrough Dean with the feature film “Buddy” for which he also won a “Amanda” award for best male actor. Johan Arrenius Knut (as a boy) He graduated from theatre school and began his career at the Trøndelag theatre where he Fanny Risberg Cecilia Blanka (Queen and Cecilia’s friend) THE HOLY LAND played in “”. His first film role was in the short film “Anolit” by Stefan Faldbakken. Jörgen Langhelle Kung Erik Jedvardsson Milind Soman Saladin In 2006 he starred in the Norwegian feature film “An Immortal Man”. (Knut’s father) Anders Baasmo Christiansen Harald Bill Skarsgård Erik Knutsson Nicholas Boulton Gerard de Ridefort Valter Skarsgård Jon Knutsson Franck Sieckel Sigfried de Turenne Alex Wyndham Armand de Gascogne SVERKER CLAN & DANES Zinoun Chams Eddine Saladin’s trainer Svante Martin Karl Sverkersson Driss Roukhe Fakir Thomas Waern Gabrielsson Emund Ulvbane Steven Waddington Torroja Sverker Karlsson Titus Fisher Fencing Master Julia Dufvenius Helena Sverkersdotter Barnaby Kay French knight Jacob Cedergren Ebbe Sunesson Chamouti Larbi French knight

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