Swedish director Patrik Bergh has joined Superlounge for exclusive U.S. spot representation. His work ranges from lifestyle fare to suspense, drama and emotional storytelling for clients such as Google, VW, Nissan, Honda, and the BBC. Prior to joining Superlounge, Bergh was repped by B-Reel and, previously, by Partizan. He is represented in the U.K. by 76 Ltd.
Based in London, Bergh’s body of work spans commercials, short films and branded content projects. His dark and innovative 20-minute road movie, Exit, commissioned by Nissan and created via TBWA, was shot in the U.S. and was featured on the Box Set Series 4 of the popular TV series 24. “It was an amazing experience,” Bergh said of the 10-day shoot. “Being from Europe, I have a fascination with American road movies and this was my nod to that. I remember being on a low-loader out in the Nevada desert, freezing my ass off and thinking there is absolutely no other place I’d rather be right now.” Bergh’s nontraditional work also includes several four-minute internal “Google Vision” films; shot throughout 2013-’14 in Los Angeles and New York, the performance-based pieces showcase “future” offerings from the brand.
A graduate of The London International Film School, where he won the Kodak Student Commercial Award, Bergh went on to score industry honors including Gold at the London Craft Awards and The Black Pearl Awards, as well as Silver at the Creative Circle Awards and the Midsummer Advertising Awards. His short film work includes Film Four/Orange Film Competition winner Véronique, starring a hitherto-unknown James Buckley (In Betweeners).
“Patrik is the consummate artist. Every frame entertains and moves the story along,” said partner/EP David Farrell who heads the L.A.-based Superlounge along with partner/director Jordan Brady. Bergh said that among the factors drawing him to the company were his affinity for Farrell and Brady and their track record of helping to advance directors’ careers. Bergh joins a Superlounge directorial roster that includes Brady, Daniel Sheppard, Brett Wagner, Dane Hanson, Jeff Aron Lable, and the Jacob/Slade duo.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More