We are proud to announce that we’ve picked up Hyæne Film’s upcoming feature CANDY KINGS, the third feature film from acclaimed Danish director Ulaa Salim.
Following the political thriller “Sons of Denmark” (2019) and the sci-fi drama “Eternal” (2024), Salim now ventures into a new genre with the gripping drama CANDY KINGS, which he both writes and directs. Shooting starts today in Copenhagen.
Alex lives on the margins of society, hustling his way through life with help from the candy gangster, Murat. Out of the blue, his ex-girlfriend Nikoline shows up and insists that Alex take responsibility for their young son, Adam — a boy he has barely seen while serving time in prison. As Alex slowly embraces his new role as a father, he begins to dream of starting his own candy empire. But the shadows of his past still haunts him, and he soon reaches a crossroads where he must choose his path.
CANDY KINGS is an intense and emotionally charged drama about a father and son’s journey toward reconciliation. It’s a story about daring to grow up — and about finding the strength to rise after falling, to take responsibility for yourself and those you love.
In the lead role as Alex, Besir Zeciri takes on one of his first major starring roles. After a string of acclaimed supporting performances in both film and television — most recently in the Oscar-nominated audience hit The Girl with the Needle — Zeciri cements his position as one of his generation’s standout stars.
As Nikoline, Alex’s ex-girlfriend, Sofie Torp takes on the film’s female lead. Torp has impressed audiences and critics alike in Out of Tune, DR’s beloved series Carmen Curlers, as Rose in the latest Department Q films, and as the sister in the acclaimed adaptation Daniel.
Ulaa Salim graduated from The National Film School of Denmark in 2017 with the award-winning short film Land of Our Fathers. He made his feature debut with the critically acclaimed “Sons of Denmark”, which received multiple awards, screened at over 50 film festivals worldwide, and earned nominations for Best Film and Best Screenplay at the Danish Robert Awards. His second feature, “Eternal”, premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2024. Together with producer Daniel Mühlendorph, Salim founded Hyæne Film.
CANDY KINGS is produced by Hyæne Film and Daniel Mühlendorph, with support from The Danish Film Institute, Nordisk Film Distribution, DR, and REinvent. REinvent handles international sales.
CANDY KINGS will premiere locally on March 4th, 2027.