Danish director Mathias Broe is developing his first children’s film, a magical-realism story about a girl named Molly and her imaginary friend Gibson. Filming is planned for next year, with a possible release in 2028.
Broe, 34, spoke about the project on the P1 culture program “Parnasset,” in an episode about new beginnings marking the end of the summer holidays. DR reports that the film is aimed at children aged 7 to 11, the first time the director has worked for that audience.
The director is best known for “Sauna,” which premiered last year and traveled internationally. According to DR, the film portrays a relationship between a trans man and a cis man. The Danish Film Institute describes it as Denmark’s first queer drama.
A paper house and a creature in the room
In the new film, Molly’s parents get divorced, and her former imaginary friend Gibson reappears. Per DR, Gibson both complicates Molly’s attempts to reunite her parents and teaches her something along the way. Broe is writing the film together with author Ida Mule Scott.
Broe told DR that the dream is to make a new children’s classic, while acknowledging that the task is difficult. He cited children’s shifting media habits and competition from content produced worldwide. The film also has to appeal to the parents who take them to the cinema.
The universe is being built physically rather than digitally, including a large paper house and the character Gibson itself. Broe said a tactile approach makes it easier for the child actors to relate to a creature that is actually present in the room. DR notes the same practical method used by director Christopher Nolan on “Odyssey.”
Broe named Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki as an inspiration, along with his own favorite childhood film, “The NeverEnding Story” from 1984. DR writes that the magical elements break with the socially realistic tradition of much Danish children’s film.
Years of decline in Danish children’s films
Figures from the Danish Film Institute show that production of Danish children’s films fell for several years, DR reports. From the start of 2023 and for the following 18 months, not a single Danish children’s film premiered. The institute’s children’s film consultant has attributed this to increased difficulty financing such projects.
Broe said he sought support for a children’s film before making “Sauna,” but was turned down. According to DR, he was told he was too young and untested, and should first debut through New Danish Screen. He did so with “Sauna” last year and has since been given the green light to develop the children’s film further.
Last year saw roughly six Danish children’s films reach cinemas, DR reports. The screenplay for Broe’s film is nearly finished and casting is approaching.
