The screenplay, written by Harald Rosenløw Eeg and Lars Gudmestad, is based on real events from the autobiography "Det finnes ingen de andre – det er bare oss" by Lindis Hurum, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders in Norway. This marks Svensson’s fifth feature film, following critically acclaimed works such as Betrayed and Harajuku, which competed in the Nordic Competition at the Göteborg Film Festival in 2019. 

Safe House (Før mørket) is set during the civil war in the Central African Republic in 2013. On Christmas Eve, a desperate Muslim man seeks refuge at a field hospital, while a threatening Christian militia gathers outside, demanding his life. At the center of the unfolding events is Norwegian aid worker Linn, played by Kristine Kujath Thorp, who faces a series of moral dilemmas as she strives to protect the man without endangering her colleagues’ safety. 

"We’re thrilled to open the festival with such a gripping and deeply moving film. Its themes also resonate strongly with this year’s focus. The protagonist Linn faces moral dilemmas, defies regulations, and most importantly, demonstrates immense courage. These are the types of actions we want to highlight and discuss as part of our program Focus: Disobedience,” says Pia Lundberg, Artistic Director of the Göteborg Film Festival. 

Safe House is competing in the Nordic Competition and will also be available online through the Göteborg Film Festival’s digital platform. 

“What an honor and great joy it is to have our premiere as the opening film at the fantastic Göteborg Film Festival! In today’s climate, with a world on fire, it has felt deeply meaningful to contribute to telling this powerful story. We all benefit from reflecting on the responsibility we have and what we can mean to another person. I hope people embrace the film, and I am very much looking forward to returning to Göteborg and the festival,” says director Eirik Svensson.

The roles in the film are brought to life by an international star-studded cast, including Kristine Kujath Thorp, Alexander Karim, Bibi Tanga, Mattis Hermann Nyquist, Tracy Gotoas, and Alma Pöysti. Safe House (Før mørket) is produced by Fantefilm, led by Catrin Gundersen and Hugo Hagemann Føsker, in co-production with Film i Väst, Cinenic Film, Nordisk Film, and ReelMedia.

Göteborg Film Festival opens on January 24.