Cannes 2021: A24 picks up Un Certain Regard title ‘Lamb’ starring Noomi Rapace; reveals first trailer

Jan Naszewski’s Warsaw based New Europe Film Sales revealed the first teaser for Lamb, the highly anticipated debut feature from Icelandic filmmaker Valdimar Jóhannsson, starring Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Prometheus). The company also confirms that A24 has taken all North American rights to Lamb, and will release later this year. The film will world premiere on Tuesday, July 13 in Cannes in the Un Certain Regard competitive sidebar.

In Lamb, a childless couple in rural Iceland make an alarming discovery one day in their sheep barn. They soon face the consequences of defying the will of nature, in this dark and atmospheric folktale, the striking debut feature from director Valdimar Jóhannsson. Rapace stars alongside the well known Icelandic actors Hilmir Snaer Gu∂nason and Björn Hlynur Haraldsson. Lamb marks a return to Iceland for global Swedish born star Noomi Rapace, who grew up in Iceland, where she also began her acting career.

Valdimar Jóhannsson commented on the acquisition: “I was thrilled to find out that A24 would distribute my film in North America. A24 is a company I have been following for years and I am very proud to be a part of theirunique community of filmmakers.”

Jan Naszewski added: ”I think A24 and Lamb are a perfect fit. The movie is original, imaginative and has cult potential that the label can help us achieve.”

New Europe Film Sales previously announced pre-sales to over 50 territories, having already sold out most European territories for the film at script stage.

Lamb is produced by Hrönn Kristinsdóttir (“Summer Children,” “Angels of the Universe”) and Sara Nassim at Go to Sheep in co-production with Piodor Gustafsson (“Border,” “The Wife”) and Erik Rydell at Black Spark Prods., and Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska (“Mr. Jones,” “High Life”) and Jan Naszewski at Madants/NEM Corp, Film i Väst, Chimney Sweden and Chimney Poland, in association with Rabbit Hole Prods.The film is supported by the Icelandic Film Center, Iceland’s Ministry of Industries and Innovation, Swedish Film Institute, Polish Film Institute, Eurimages and Nordic Film and TV Fund.

Photo: Lilja Jóns, Go to Sheep