The dramatic inspiration and background to our series are based on largely forgotten, but true events. We have created many new characters and courses of events. But while we focus on compelling storytelling and interesting characters, we also aim to give an authentic picture of the times in which these events took place and so honor the memory of the people living through them.
We are aiming for the highest visual quality in all respects, strong storytelling, and great acting. Our vision for SALÉ is to tell an entertaining, engaging and compelling fictional story which historically true and documented background vouches for a capturing authenticity.
The series will depict but not take sides for a certain attitude, politics, religion or ways of seeing and thinking. It will be up to the audience to discern which character, if any, is really in the wrong or in the right on their chosen course.
Our main characters can never be sure what is right and what is wrong in any situation or when reaching crossroads. The characters bear various conflicts and antagonisms in and between themselves; never really able to sort things out.
One major issue, especially of Season 1 will be the cultural clash of identity and the painful conflict between desperately wanting to stick to your believes and go back home versus focus on survival and embracing the opportunities a different environment and culture might offer, even a captive.
The story of "Tyrkjaránið" (Turkish Abductions) is very much alive and a part of the Icelandic people's history and collective memory. Hundreds of people were brutally abducted, chained and sold on the slave markets in North Africa, a well known and a very lucrative business at the time. Most of the captives disappeared from their loved ones for good, they suffered greatly and eventually perished in slavery. Some managed to adapt and put their skills to use in a new society that offered different opportunities. The traumatised families back in Iceland were also forced to rebuild their lives. Some never lost hope and kept up a collection of money through the Church for years, in order to buy back some of the captives. Ten years later, close to thirty people were freed and able to turn back to Iceland, meeting a very different reality. Nothing was the same, neither the returnees nor the people they met again.
Anna G Magnúsdóttir, Anders Granström & Herbert Gehr
Series Creators
![Series Creators: Anna G Magnúsdóttir, Anders Granström & Herbert Gehr]()
