KimStim will release HOPE, Norway’s Official Selection and Shortlisted Entry for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, in virtual theaters in the US. HOPE directed by Maria Sødahl, and starring Stellan Skarsgård along with Andrea Bræin Hovig will have its virtual theatrical release at Film Forum in New York City, at Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles, and in other cities, on April 16, 2021.

Official selection at Toronto, Palm Springs and Berlin film festivals, and winner of multiple awards and the nominee for two European Film Awards, HOPE is based on the true events and experiences of director Maria Sødahl (Limbo, 2010) whose terminal cancer diagnosis led to a nine-year hiatus from filmmaking.

Anja (multiple award-winner for this role, Andrea Bræin Hovig) and Tomas (Stellan Skarsgård, Chernobyl) have a large family of biological children and stepchildren. Over a number of years the two partners have grown apart and independent of each other, with busy creative careers in parallel worlds. When Anja gets terminal cancer diagnosis their life breaks down and exposes the neglected love. Alone with her grief and her fears, Anja realizes that she needs Tomas’ full help and support, and the two embark on a challenging journey in which they discover themselves and each other anew.

In January 2021 it was announced that Nicole Kidman has bought the rights to HOPE and will star in the series adaptation, to be co-produced by her production company, Blossom Films, and Amazon Studios.