SF Norge Buys into Motion Blur

STOCKHOLM: SF Norge has purchased a 51-percent share in the Norwegian production outfit Motion Blur, striking up a partnership with its co-owners as well.

Motion Blur is co-owned by Harald Zwart, Veslemøy Ruud Zwart, Espen Sandberg, Joachim Rønning and Espen Horn. The company has been producing films in the Norwegian market for many years and at present has 11 in-house film director’s developing and directing commercials. Motion Blur recently launched the feature film operation Motion Blur Film, which produces features for the Norwegian and international market. There are three movie projects in development currently, with production planned for 2013.

Svensk Filmindustri will distribute the Motion Blur feature films on all media in the Nordic region in addition to handling international sales.

Horn said, "Motion Blur is mainly a commercial film production entity, but many of the directors and producers involved in the operation also have a great desire to make feature films. SF is a leading player in this field and the new partnership with them is a perfect match. We aim to be the most attractive commercial and feature film producer in Norway within three to five years. With SF on board we have every chance to achieve this."

Zwart added, "It is very stimulating to be able to switch between the ‘long-distance running’ of a feature film project and the more explosive race of a commercial film production. I know that our commercial films benefits from our feature films experiences and vice versa. With SF as a partner we will be able to take advantage of this even more."

Rasmus Ramstad, the chairman of the board at SF Norge, commented, “SF Norge has a long-standing partnership with Harald Zwart, Veslemøy Ruud Zwart and Espen Horn and I am very pleased to develop this relationship further. Motion Blur is a very exciting company with great potential and I am convinced that we will make a mark in the Norwegian film production community in the future. I am especially looking forward to be working with Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, who without a doubt are two of the most talented and successful directors on the Nordic film scene today.”