Universal Pictures acquires international rights to The Last Journey

The Last Journey / Den sista resan © Photo Nexiko Nordisk Film

Universal Pictures Content Group announced today it has acquired all international rights to The Last Journey (Den sista resan), Sweden’s selection for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards®. Theatrical releases are planned in multiple international territories (excluding Scandinavia).

Sweden’s highest grossing documentary ever is a tender exploration of life, death and a son’s attempt to reconnect with his father on a hopeful and uplifting road trip to France. It follows filmmaker Filip Hammar, with the help of his best friend and fellow filmmaker Fredrik Wikingsson, in a desperate attempt to help his father regain his zest for life, retracing the same journey they made every summer during Filip’s childhood. An honest, genre-defying look at death’s approach as seen through the eyes of a desperate son who has lived in denial of the inevitable, the critically acclaimed The Last Journey is a heartfelt investigation into the relationship between children and parents and a glance into our own futures.

Helen Parker, EVP – Universal Pictures Content Group said:
– This unique film has a special place in all our hearts. Both funny and heartbreaking at times, it’s a life-affirming watch that is a must-see for all ages. We can’t wait to share The Last Journey with cinema audiences internationally.

– We’re very grateful and flattered that this film gets the opportunity to travel outside Sweden. This is a very special film that deals with a subject that resonates with people all over the world. When we embarked on this journey, we said to ourselves that we want to make an uplifting, heartfelt, but also original, film where people, when they exit the theatres, will pick up the phone and call their moms or dads. And I do believe we pulled that off. In the end, family is everything and you’ll never ever regret reaching out to – or spending time with – your parents, says Filip Hammar, who directed the film with his best friend Fredrik Wikingsson.

It was revealed at a press conference at Filmhuset in Stockholm in September, that The Last Journey is Sweden's submission for an Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
– The Last Journey is a heart-wrenching documentary that many of us can relate to - just look at the film's record box office number! It mixes humor and sadness in an extremely personal way, which gives you as a spectator a pervasive feeling of melancholy, joy, pride and sadness. All this makes The Last Journey a strong Oscar candidate, said Petter Mattsson, head of the International Department at the Film Institute and chairman of the Swedish Oscar Committee.

Directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson, The Last Journey is produced by Lars Beckung and Petra Måhl at the production company Nexiko, with production funding from the Swedish Film Institute, film commissioner Anna Weitz.

Universal Pictures International will handle international distribution on behalf of the studio.