Netflix, SVT to adapt novel Vinterviken

Alexis Almström, Teresa Alldén and Dunja Vujovic

Netflix is working with Swedish public broadcaster SVT to adapt Mats Wahl’s acclaimed novel Vinterviken, which was turned into a successful film in 1996.

Vinterviken 2021 is set in Stockholm in that year and focuses on the love story between two youngsters who are raised in the same city yet live light years apart, separated economically, socially and culturally, until they start in the same high school class.

The feature film will be produced by Filmlance International, part of Endemol Shine Group, with Teresa Alldén as producer and Alexis Almström as director.

Dunja Vujovic serves as the screenwriter. The trio previously collaborated on Top Dog, a TV series based on the Jens Lapidus trilogy.

Alldén said: “Mats Wahl’s novel portrays a timeless theme: love beyond social status and class. The new film adaptation must reflect the development of society. Vinterviken 2021 should thus be a modern story about experiencing true love in a world full of prejudice and economic inequality.”

Almström added: “I will never forget when I watched Vinterviken as a teenager in the 90s. A lot has happened since then, not only in a good way. A feeling of hopelessness is growing prevalent amongst young people, regardless of background. Therefore, I’m excited to share this hopeful story about young lovers breaking class barriers to the global Netflix audience.”

Vinterviken 2021 will be released globally on Netflix and will be coproduced by SVT.

In related news, the global streamer, which this week reported bumper first-quarter results for 2020 following a subscription surge during the pandemic, has confirmed a new globally exclusive Korean original series.

It will produce Hellbound (working title), which will be directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) and made with Lezhin Studio.

The story was originally published as a webtoon and sees supernatural beings appear out of nowhere to condemn people to hell.

Hellbound joins other Netflix originals based on webtoons such as All of Us Are Dead, announced earlier this month, Kingdom, Love Alarm and Sweet Home.