A major Nordic highlight is heading to Switzerland this summer as Maria Bäck’s new feature, Brave New Love (Fagre nye kærlighed), has been officially selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Leopard in the Concorso Internazionale at the 79th Locarno Film Festival.
Featuring an incredible lineup of Nordic talent—led by Kathrine Thorborg Johansen (Post Mortem: No One Dies in Skarnes), Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World), and Simon Sears (Darkness: Those Who Kill)—the Danish-Swedish co-production is shaping up to be one of the most compelling romantic dramas of the year.
What Is Brave New Love About?
Directed and written by Swedish-Danish filmmaker Maria Bäck (Psychosis in Stockholm), Brave New Love is billed as a witty, chaotic, and existential modern exploration of intimacy, motherhood, and societal expectations.
The Synopsis:
Hypnotherapist Kate (Kathrine Thorborg Johansen) lives happily with her husband, Orla (Simon Sears), and their daughter, Athena. However, she is simultaneously maintaining a deeply romantic, secret extramarital relationship with Andreas (Anders Danielsen Lie).
After years of delicate balance, forbidden feelings, and secrecy, Kate’s double life begins to unravel. Caught in a turbulent storm of societal norms, intimacy, shame, and madness, she embarks on a clumsy and existential journey to completely redefine what love means.
A Powerhouse Team Behind the Camera
Beyond the stellar cast, Brave New Love brings together some of the region’s most revered creative voices:
- Production: Produced by Copenhagen-based powerhouse Snowglobe (Godland, The Worst Person in the World) alongside Garage Film and StudioBauhaus.
- Cinematography: Shot by acclaimed DP Maria von Hausswolff (A White, White Day, Godland).
- Score: Features an original score composed by Norwegian avant-garde musician Jenny Hval.
World Premiere at Locarno Film Festival
The film will celebrate its World Premiere on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Locarno’s FEVI venue, accompanied by press screenings, Q&As, and press conferences with the director and cast.
International sales are being handled by REinvent Yellow, meaning global distribution announcements and trailer drops should follow shortly after its festival bow.
Keep Brave New Love on your watchlist—we’ll bring you updates on UK and international release dates as soon as they are announced!
