Magnolia Pictures has picked up the North American rights for director Tobias Lindholm’s acclaimed second feature film ‘A Hijacking’ from TrustNordisk. The deal was negotiated between Susan Wendt, head of sales at TrustNordisk and Magnolia’s SVP of acquisitions, Dori Begley. The film is set to be theatrically released in the second quarter of 2013.

Of the deal, Wendt said, “We are extremely pleased to find another of our films in the capable hands of the Magnolia team. ‘A Hijacking’ has been met with an incredible response from the international market place, and the North American deal further cements the film’s topicality and Tobias Lindholm’s status as one of the most interesting directors in Europe today.”

“A Hijacking is a strikingly intelligent, thrilling and timely film,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “(Tobias) Lindholm is a talent to be reckoned with. And we are thrilled to be continuing our terrific relationship with TrustNordisk.”

‘A Hijacking’ stars Pilou Asbaek, Soren Malling and Dar Salim. The film focuses on the human consequences of modern piracy and takes its starting point when the cargo ship MV Rozen is captured by Somali pirates. Amongst the men on board are the ship’s cook Mikkel and the engineer Jan, and the seamen are taken hostage in a cynical game of life and death.

After having its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival, ‘A Hijacking’ also played at the Toronto International Film Festival. It also gained acclaim at the London Film Festival and the Tokyo Film Festival, and won the Best Actor Award for Malling at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival.

Written by: Karen Benardello