Copenhagen, Denmark — The coming-of-age drama Pretty Young Love (original title Smukkere), directed by Mogens Hagedorn, has begun mapping out an impressive global rollout. The film is already generating steady interest with rights being snapped up in various territories. The story of a young girl in high school who develops a secret, forbidden romance with a teacher promises to push boundaries—but it’s also built on solid commercial footing and artistic credibility.
What the Film Is — And What It Isn’t
- Pretty Young Love runs 101 minutes, a Danish production spoken in Danish. (levelk.dk)
- Selma, the protagonist, is entering her second year at Rosenholm Gymnasium. On the last night of summer, she meets Johan, a slightly older man who turns out to be her new music teacher. Their bond deepens into a romance that must remain hidden. (levelk.dk)
- As the relationship deepens, it forces Selma not just to explore musical passion but confront parts of herself she didn’t expect and reckon with consequences among friends and social expectations. (levelk.dk)
Thus, the film is very much a drama about adolescence, identity, secrecy, and the collision between personal desire and social norms.
Behind the Screen: Key Players & Funding
- Director: Mogens Hagedorn, known for work on Netflix’s Ragnarok and the Danish political drama Borgen. (levelk.dk)
- Producer: Marcella Dichmann, who helped co-finance the film alongside major Danish institutions. (levelk.dk)
- Financiers: The Danish Film Institute, TV2 Denmark, and Netflix are among the backers. Notably, Netflix secured upfront rights to stream the film after its release window for theaters or TV/stations. (levelk.dk)
Global Rights Moves and Distribution
- The film has been acquired for distribution in Germany by Splendid Film. (levelk.dk)
- Encripta holds Latin American rights. (levelk.dk)
- Husky Films has picked up the rights for South Korea. (levelk.dk)
These sales show a well-rounded interest: Europe, Latin America, Asia. More deals may follow as the film continues its festival run and market presence. (levelk.dk)
Release and Technical Details
- Domestic release in Denmark: June 4, 2025 via SF Film. (levelk.dk)
- Technical specs: shot on ARRI Alexa 35; screen ratio 2.39:1; formats include DCP with 5.1 sound. (levelk.dk)
What Makes This Film Talked About
- Sensitive subject matter: Teacher-student romance is always charged with ethical, legal, and emotional stakes. The narrative forces confrontation with notions of power imbalance, secrecy, social risk.
- Artistic credentials: Hagedorn’s background (especially with shows of high production value aimed at broad audiences) gives credibility; the involvement of institutions like the Danish Film Institute and Netflix demonstrates belief in the project.
- Commercial potential: The mature themes paired with teen perspective can engage youth and adult audiences. Also, global rights already secured suggest good export prospects.
Risks, Challenges, and What’s to Watch
- Censorship and regulations: Teacher-student relationships often raise legal or ethical questions depending on country. Distribution may face scrutiny in regions with conservative culture or tight film classification boards.
- Reception: The audience must believe in Selma’s perspective without feeling manipulated. Critic and public reaction to how the romance is portrayed will be key. If mishandled, backlash could limit reach.
- Marketing framing: Will the film be sold as a forbidden romance, a coming-of-age story with music, or a psychological drama? The angle matters for how different markets respond.
Strategic Implications for Industry Observers
- Netflix’s model is again in evidence: securing rights upfront in co-financed films to get streaming windows. For producers, this guarantees income and a safety net. (levelk.dk)
- Sales agents like LevelK are taking films with bold topics and pushing them globally. That indicates demand is rising for content that challenges norms in youth drama.
- Also, technical production values (good camera, sound, post) are expensive; but they help the film transcend local markets and make it more exportable.
What to Expect Next
- Festival circuit: Pretty Young Love is already set for Tallinn’s Black Nights, through its Just Film program for kids and youth. More festival appearances will sharpen its profile. (levelk.dk)
- Additional rights deals: With territory rights in Germany, Latin America, and South Korea, further deals in Asia, Eastern Europe, perhaps North America, look likely.
- Reviews and ratings will arrive post-festivals. Their tone will influence how Netflix and other outlets position the film.
- Distribution windows will move: theatrical/TV in some markets, festival premieres, then streaming (Netflix) according to the deals.
Conclusion
Pretty Young Love is shaping up as more than just another teen drama. It combines risk, artistry, and commercial strategy. For producers, it offers a blueprint: strong premise; established creators; institutional support; global sales early; and attention to both local and international sensitivity. If handled well, it could open further opportunities for Danish cinema and youth-oriented stories with complex moral terrain.
Watch this space.
