Arvet Agency Takes Rights To ‘Dusk 41’ From Finnish-Swedish Author Kjell Westö
Kjell Westö Thomas Maier/picture alliance via Getty Images; Courtesy
EXCLUSIVE: Sweden’s Arvet Agency has acquired media rights to Finnish-Swedish author Kjell Westö‘s book ‘Dusk 41.’
The story delves into the darkest years of Finnish history during 1940 and 1941, when Joseph Stalin’s Russian invaded Finland under the guise of a military drill. Young couple Molly and Henry from the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland, have their lives irrevocably altered.
Arvet is planning to turn it into a limited series.
Grace Maharaj, CEO and producer at Arvet Agency, said ‘Dusk 41’ has contemporary relevance, especially against the backdrop of current events such as the war in Ukraine. “Kjell Westö has a rich body of work and legacy in Sweden and Finland,” she added. “Although set in 1941, ”Dusk 41” is sharply poignant today and must be adapted for the screen to reach a contemporary audience.”
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“The Finnish-Swedish minority make up of just over five percent of the population in Finland and their stories deserve to be told with consideration and care to their historical legacy and yet with a bold vision going forward into the present. It is a privilege that Arvet has been granted the stewardship of Kjell Westö’s work for a limited series adaption.”
“For me, ‘Dusk 41’ is one of the most important books I’ve written,” said Westö. “Not only because it takes place during Finland’s fateful years of 1940-1941, but also because its central themes of love, truth, betrayal, and power are timeless and universal.
“Another important theme in the novel is the cruelty of war, which gives the story a dark relevance today, even though the events take place over 80 years ago. I’m glad that Arvet Agency and their partners want to turn the book into a TV series and I wish them the best of luck with this challenging project.”