‘Low Expectations,’ Starring Singer Girl in Red, Sets Key European Deals Ahead of Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

Home Film Global May 5, 2026 8:57am PT ‘Low Expectations,’ Starring Singer Girl in Red, Sets Key European Deals Ahead of Cannes Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) By Leo Barraclough Plus Icon Leo Barraclough International Features Editor LeoBarraclough Latest Sundance Prizewinner ‘How to Divorce During the War’ Acquired in North America by Zeitgeist Films in Association With Kino Lorber (EXCLUSIVE) 3 hours ago Nina Hoss Thriller ‘The Other Side,’ Underdog Story ‘The Rome Eight’ Join Beta Slate at Cannes 5 hours ago Hit German Filmmaker Bora Dagtekin’s ‘The Perfect Holiday’ and ‘The Perfect Secret’ Boarded by Picture Tree Ahead of Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE) 8 hours ago See All Courtesy of Maipo Film, Andreas Bjorseth Paris- and Berlin-based international sales company Salaud Morisset has closed key European deals on Eivind Landsvik’s debut feature “Low Expectations,” which stars singer-songwriter Marie Ulven a.k.a. Girl in Red. The film will have its world premiere in Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. Among the first wave of buyers, UFO Distribution (“Flow,” “The Chef,” “The Outrun”) has acquired rights for France and Pandora Film Verleih (“Silent Friend,” “Sirât,” “Armand”) has secured Germany and Austria. The film will be distributed in Scandinavia by Nordisk Film Distribution (“Sentimental Value,” “Loveable”). The Norwegian film follows Maja at the height of her music career as her life begins to fall apart, forcing her to step away from her ambitions. She returns home to live with her mother and takes a part-time job at a local high school, where she works alongside Johannes (Anders Danielsen Lie). Far from the spotlight, wrapped in everyday kindness, she slowly finds her way back to life. Popular on Variety “Buyers have responded strongly to the film’s resonance with today’s society, its connection to a younger generation, and the growing appeal of Norwegian cinema,” Salaud Morisset said. Stéphane Auclaire from UFO Distribution said: “We were truly touched by ‘Low Expectations,’ especially by its gentle and deeply human take on mental health, handled with warmth, sensitivity and a refreshing sense of hope.” Björn Hoffmann from Pandora Film Verleih said, ” ‘Low Expectations’ really captures that in-between phase in your shift from youth to adulthood with honesty and style. It feels intimate, authentic and deeply relatable — finding meaning in small, everyday moments rather than big drama.” “Following in the footsteps of filmmakers like Joachim Trier and Dag Johan Haugerud, ‘Low Expectations’ signals a new chapter for Norwegian cinema,” said François Morisset. “It captures the emotional landscape of Gen Z with rare precision – a film that is at once intimate, disarmingly funny and profoundly moving – and one we believe has the power to bring multiple generations together in cinemas.” Produced by Lotte Sandbu and Synnøve Hørsdal for Maipo Film, in co-production with Snowglobe, the film received the support of the Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Filmfond and the Danish Film Institute as well as Nordisk Film and TV Fond and Eurimages. The film is scheduled for a Norwegian theatrical release on Sept. 11. “Low Expectations” marks Landsvik debut feature film after short films such as “Sofia, Last Summer” (2021), which won the Norwegian Film Critics Award, and “Tits” (2023), which premiered in Cannes’ main competition, and screened at 100-plus festivals. Read More About: Cannes Film Festival, Girl in Red, Salaud Morisset Jump to Comments More from Variety Thai Randolph Launches NILE & Co., Creator-Driven Media Company That Has Acquired BuzzFeed’s As/Is and Goodful Brands Loading comments...