The Yellow Affair Picks up Anagram’s ‘Fighter,’ ‘The Greenest Grass’

Boutique sales outlet The Yellow Affair, headed by Steve Bestwick, has taken international sales rights to two features produced by Studio TF1’s Scandinavian label Anagram. Both titles, “Norwegian “Fighter” and Sweden’s “The Greenest Grass,” will be pitched at Haugesund’s New Nordic Films Works in Progress on Aug. 21.

In his feature debut “Fighter,” co-penned with Nina Anderson, actor-turned writer-director Irasj Asanti tracks the young MMA fighter Sara, torn between reason and emotion. Although promised to a man through an arranged marriage, she feels increasingly attracted to her female MMA practice partner. At the same time, she helps her dad in his halal shop while continuing her economic studies at university. But Sara has to choose. And fast.

In the title role is fast-rising talent Sofia Tjelta from Netflix series “Midsummer Night” who is soon to appear in Ruben Östlund’s “The Entertainment is Down.” Co-stars include Maja Christiansen (“Rod Nock”) and Deniz Kaya (“Pørni”).

Keen to tell an original story that would “reflect the diversity of Oslo, and at the same time show the inner conflicts that appears when love, culture and family values collides,” Asanti said he found in the MMA community “a natural backdrop, a place where physical strength and discipline is in contrast with the vulnerability you feel when you risk being cancelled for whom you are.”

“I hope this will catch a broad audience, both those who have experienced it themselves and those knowing someone who has,” he added.

Stylistically, the pic will be “realistic and raw, with close ups, to catch the characters strength and vulnerability.” Authenticity will also stem from the natural light and locations in eastern Oslo, while the blue and grey colours will highlight “the tough everyday life, but also hope and freedom,” Asanti said.
Bestwick noted: “The film has a beautiful cultural specificity and has potential to reach a broader audience with the MMA component. Sara’s inner conflict mirrors the intensity of her training and themes of familial expectations and forbidden love make this a story that we feel can resonate with international audiences.”

Produced by Anagram Norway’s Ole Marius Araldsen, in co-production with Anagram Sweden’s Mia Welin, the film is backed by the Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Film Fond and NRK. Fidalgo in Norway and Folkets Bio in Sweden will handle the theatrical releases, which are set for late 2026.

In a totally different genre, “The Greenest Grass” is a romcom set in Malmö, in which the unfaithful Sajsa arranges for his partner Olivia to cheat on him too, to lessen his guilt, hoping both will eventually forgive each other. But things don’t go as planned. The Swedish ensemble cast takes in Vilhelm Blomgren (“Gösta,” “Midsommar”), Anna Asp (“Beck”), Maria Nohra (“Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter”) and Cedomir Glisovic (“I am Zlatan”).

“It’s a mix of personal experience, stories from friends, and a generous helping of imagination,” said Swedish writer/director Kim Sundeck about his feature debut. “It’s basically the romcoms I grew up watching – if they had more stress, worse decisions, and a lot less eternal love!”

“It is daring, meaningful and charming with a sprinkling of chaos,” added Bestwick who feels both new pick ups have a stand-out quality, much needed in today’s competitive market.

“You need distinctive titles that have some commercial edge, not just festival potential.”
Produced by Anagram Sweden’s Ann Lundberg, “The Greenest Grass” is partnered by Film i Skåne, SVT and Nonstop Entertainment, with support from the Swedish Film Institute. NonStop will handle the distribution in the Nordics.

The Yellow Affair is partly owned by Studio TF1’s Scandi banner Anagram, Finland’s Helsinki-filmi, Marianna Films and Visiorex. Following a recent company reshuffle, long-time sales executive Bestwick was promoted to CEO last May, following the departure of Karoliina Dwyer, named VP acquisitions for Kino Lorber. His team includes sales coordinator Anniina Voitila, sales executive Alexandra Cruz and sales and festival manager Wen-Yung Chang.

Standout pics on the sales outlet’s other label The Yellow Affair by Studio TF1 take in the Berlin Panorama-selected “Dreamers” and Berlin Perspectives’ “Punching the World.”

New Nordic Films runs over Aug. 19-22 in Haugesund, parallel to the Norwegian International Film Festival.