The Sound revisits daring mission to row Jewish citizens to safety during Nazi occupation
Conny Palmkvist’s non-fiction book The Elsinore Crossing (aka Sundets Röda Nejlikor) is being remade as a series with Ole Bornedal (Nightwatch) attached to write the script, Broadcast International has learned.
The adaptation, which is coming via Finite Films & TV and Shoni Productions, will be known as The Sound and follows journalist Neville Parker as he uncovers the story of Christian Larsen, a 92-year-old former policeman.
Larsen’s diaries reveal his pivotal role in Denmark’s extraordinary 1943 civilian rescue of 95% of its Jewish population, who were saved by being rowed to Sweden.
At the centre of the 1943 narrative lies The Elsinore Sewing Club, a small group of four ordinary men - a bookbinder, a police officer, a rookie cop, and a journalist - who masterminded 142 perilous night-time crossings of the Øresund Strait.
The Sound also illuminates the overlooked role of the Swedish police and their cooperation with the Danish resistance - offering a fresh dual-national perspective on the rescue.
The show will draw from the book’s real events to blend 1940-43 occupation history with a 2010 present-day frame. Commissioners are yet to be confirmed.
Executive producers are Christian Bruun and Benni Korzen (Babette’s Feast), alongside Bornedal, who was a key figure in the creation of the ‘Nordic Noir’ aesthetic with his film Nightwatch.
Amy Gardner, founder and producer at Finite Films & TV, said: “The Sound is a story about ordinary people whose extraordinary bravery saved thousands of lives in one of history’s most critical rescue operations.
“Conny Palmkvist’s book reveals the quiet heroism and human cost behind this remarkable story which we believe has profound contemporary resonance.”
Dana Høegh, founder and executive producer, added: “The Sound embodies the moral courage and compassion story that define our creative mission. We’re honoured to bring this extraordinary story of resistance and action to the screen in collaboration with such distinguished partners.”
The Sound joins Shoni and Finite Films & TV’s growing co-production slate, which includes The Many Lives of Miss K, based on Jean-Noël Liaut’s biography of model and WWII resistance agent Toto Koopman.
The companies are also working on Konfidenz, which is based on Ariel Dorfman’s novel of the same name.
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