Gulraiz Sharif’s Listen Up! is being adapted as a new Norwegian feature film

Gulraiz Sharif’s acclaimed novel ‘Listen Up!’ will become a major Norwegian film from Viaplay, in partnership with Motlys and Arthaus. A lively and warm exploration of identity, class and family, ‘Listen Up!’ marks Kaveh Tehrani’s (the prize-winning short ‘The Manchador’) directorial debut feature and is now filming in Oslo. The film joins the World War II drama ‘Gold Run’ on Viaplay’s Norwegian feature slate, and will stream on Viaplay following a cinema window in autumn 2023.

In Oslo, 15-year-old Mahmoud is looking forward to the summer vacation. All that’s missing is a job, money or something to do. So when his uncle arrives on a visit from Pakistan, Mahmoud takes on the task of showing him everything the capital city has to offer. At the same time, his younger brother Ali lets him in on a very personal secret, leaving Mahmoud facing the biggest test of his life to keep the family together.

The film stars newcomers Mohammed Ahmed and Liza Haider, alongside award-winning British star Asim Chaudhry (‘Wonder Woman 1984’; ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’), recipient of a Royal Television Society Award and two BAFTA Television Award nominations for ‘People Just Do Nothing’.

Kaveh Tehrani said, “Not fitting into today’s Norway is something I recognise. I want to make a movie for everyone who feels the same, and which engages viewers regardless of whether they have Pakistani roots. ‘Listen Up!’ will be a modern, rich and enjoyable portrait of a wonderful family from east Oslo. The film will be bold and angry, charming and generous, and always full of love.”

Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group Chief Content Officer added “Gulraiz Sharif’s novel was the most borrowed book from the Oslo Public Library in 2021 – which just shows its remarkable appeal. The characters are multi-layered and the themes universal. This is a film for everyone, and we’re proud to bring it to Viaplay viewers in Norway and internationally, together with a hugely talented creative team.”

The film is scripted by Erlend Loe (‘Quick’) and Nora Landsrød (‘Stockholm Bloodbath’), with Ingvil Berger and Yngve Sæther producing for Motlys and Kari Moen Kristiansen as executive producer for Viaplay Group.

‘Listen Up!’ (Norwegian title: ‘Hør her’a!’) is produced in partnership with Norsk filminstitutt, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, and Oslo Filmfond.