Kursk
Director: Thomas Vinterberg (“The Hunt,” “Far from the Madding Crowd”)
Cast: Lea Seydoux, Colin Firth, Matthias Schoenaerts, Max von Sydow
Details: Celebrated Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg helms this true story tale based on Robert Moore’s novel “A Time to Die” and adapted by celebrated scribe Robert Rodat (“Saving Private Ryan”). The story deals with the famous K-141 Kursk submarine disaster in 2000 when a Russian sub on a naval exercise sank in the Barents Sea. Two dozen sailors desperately fought for survival while their oxygen ran out, and negligence within the Russian government led to them refusing help from foreign governments for five days.
Ultimately, thanks to their families desperately battling political obstacles, the Russians agreed to aid from the UK and Norway. EuropaCorp is producing the film which was originally going to blend a rescue and political focus, but emphasis has shifted more towards the former which led to the cutting back of scenes featuring Russian president Vladimir Putin. For now, there’s some great casting as well in supporting roles from known names like Colin Firth and Max von Sydow to turns by “Toni Erdmann” star Peter Simonischek and the late Michael Nyqvist in his final role.
