Western Norway Film Commission

In early spring 2009 Zentropa International Norway signed on three acclaimed Norwegian film directors, including Petter Næss of Elling (2001) fame. Together with producer Valerie Edwina Saunders from Zentropa International Norway, Næss visited Bergen area to look for inspiration for his first project with Zentropa; Tyskerjentene.

Says Zentropa in a press release: "Without a doubt Norway's most prolific and unrivalled director. Petter has taken on a compelling and important film for his first project with us. A thoroughly dramatic and passionate film. It will be absolutely gorgeous. Our collaboration is incredibly exciting and with the route we have set out to take together - the best is yet to come."

Tyskerjentene chronicles the lives of five different Norwegian women, each of whom had a relationship with a German soldier during World War II, and endured shameful treatment from the Norwegian government as a result. Criticized, neglected and ostracized from society, these Norwegian women were forever punished for falling in love. Based upon Bergen journalist Helle Aarnes' book by the same name, Tyskerjentene shines a light on a dark chapter in Norwegian history.