Danish director Thomas Vinterberg is set to premiere his newest seven-part series, Families Like Ours, at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. This highly anticipated drama marks Vinterberg’s first foray into series production since his award-winning film, Another Round, took home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2021.
Families Like Ours draws inspiration from the real-world threat of rising sea levels due to climate change, particularly in Denmark – a country with the second lowest altitude in Europe. In a near-future scenario imagined by Vinterberg and co-writer Bo Hr. Hansen, the Danish government initiates a plan to evacuate the entire population as a response to the increasing water levels.
The series follows the story of a high-school student, portrayed by Amaryllis August, who is faced with a difficult decision between her divorced parents and a newfound love interest amidst the impending evacuation. The ensemble cast also includes talented actors such as Albert Rudbeck Lindhardt, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and Paprika Steen, among others.
Families Like Ours is a collaborative effort between various production companies, including Creation Originale Canal+ and Zentropa Entertainment. Lead producers Sisse Graum Jørgensen and Kasper Dissing have worked alongside Studiocanal, Canal+, TV2 Denmark, Ard Degeto, and TV4 to bring this ambitious series to life. Studiocanal has taken on the task of handling international sales for the project.
Thomas Vinterberg’s Families Like Ours promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of climate change, human relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. With a talented cast and a visionary director at the helm, this series is poised to make a significant impact on audiences around the world.