International coproduction based on the classic Dutch novel Nooit meer slapen to kick off upcoming festival
The film Beyond Sleep will open the 45th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) on 27 January. This international, English-language film is based on the bestselling novel Nooit meer slapen by Willem Frederik Hermans and will world premiere on the opening night of IFFR. Beyond Sleep is directed by Boudewijn Koole, with Reinout Scholten van Aschat in the lead role. The film is produced by KeyFilm.
Beyond Sleep takes us on a survival expedition with young, ambitious geologist Alfred Issendorf, who goes in search of meteorites in the swampy north of Norway, hoping that the journey will cement his academic reputation by uncovering a significant scientific proof. Alfred is also trying to continue where his father left off when he died during a similar research trip of his own. Alfred searches, stumbles and suffers on the pitiless Northern European tundra. He finds redemption only when he has reached the very brink of insanity.
IFFR festival director Bero Beyer: “We are incredibly pleased to be able to open with Beyond Sleep. This story, this book is justifiably known as a Dutch classic and the film is able, through its incisive narrative – reinforced by the power of the stunning natural scenery – to add a new dimension to this. Director Boudewijn Koole previously impressed with the internationally awarded Kauwboy, and with Beyond Sleep – made with an inspired team and top actors Reinout Scholten van Aschat and Pål Sverre Hagen (Kon-Tiki) – he has created something truly wonderful. A dream opening film: a Dutch story taken to another level by international cooperation in cinematography and production.”
Beyond Sleep is produced by KeyFilm’s Hanneke Niens and Hans de Wolf (Soof, Nena, Ventoux, Twin Sisters) in coproduction with broadcaster VPRO and Nordisk Film, in cooperation with FilmCamp, and was realised with support from the Netherlands Film Fund, the Netherlands Film Production Incentive, CoBO and the Norwegian Film Institute. September Film will be releasing Beyond Sleep in Dutch cinemas on 11 February 2016.
For four decades, IFFR has proudly developed and presented auteur cinema by helping filmmakers reach the broadest possible audiences. The festival is known around the world for its individual, innovative programming, with particular attention to talented new filmmakers. Quality films from all over the world are presented in Rotterdam to a large, international audience with the aim of inspiring and broadening horizons.
IFFR is one of the biggest cultural events in the Netherlands, and one of the biggest audience-oriented film festivals in the world. The 45th IFFR will take place from Wednesday 27 January to Sunday 7 February 2016. For twelve days, the latest feature films, documentaries, short films, exhibitions, performances, talkshows and debates make Rotterdam an exciting, global capital city of film. Official ticket sales start on Friday 22 January. For more information, see IFFR.com.
