The Norwegian Action Thriller “Nation’s Gambit” Currently Filming at Studio Fares

Filming is currently underway in Trollhättan for the upcoming Norwegian action thriller "Nation's Gambit", directed by John Andreas Andersen.

When the Prime Minister is kidnapped and placed in a glass cage outside the Storting with a bomb strapped around his neck, Norway is turned upside down. The Prime Minister can be saved through a game of chess – but for every piece lost, a human life will also be taken. The terrorist makes the first move, and the clock starts counting down from 24 hours. The game has begun.

In just a few steps inside Studio Fares, you can travel from Trollhättan to Oslo—straight into the office of the President of the Storting, a set built by the production. On the conference table stands a chessboard, and as you cross the herringbone parquet flooring into the next room, you enter the antechamber, which during Film i Väst’s visit is used by the intelligence unit of the Norwegian Police Security Service. Outside the windows, large banners depicting Oslo surround the set, enhancing the sense of cinematic magic.

During the visit, lead actors Pål Sverre Hagen and Penda Faal—who play Anton Block and Björk Adekoia Block—were interviewed, along with director John Andreas Andersen, who also gave a guided tour of the set design. All of this, along with more images from Film i Väst’s set visit, can be seen on Film i Väst’s Instagram.

Production Facts

Director: John Andreas Andersen
Scriptwriters: Rakel Kraft Biørnstad, Nora Landsrød & Christopher Grøndahl
Producers: Stig Hjerkinn Haug, Fredrik Støbakk & Tale Bryn Teigene

The film is based on the bestselling novel "En nasjon i sjakk" by Johan Høst and is produced by Stig og Stein Studio in co-production with Anagram (Mia Welin) and Film i Väst. With support from The Norwegian Film Institute and Filminvest. Scanbox International is distributing the film in the Nordic countries, and Reinvent Yellow handles international sales.

Norwegian theatrical release: Fall 2026