Norwegian filmmaker Nataša Urban is bringing her fiction debut “Vagina Dentata” to the Nordic Co-Production Market in Haugesund this week. The project, which explores motherhood and postnatal depression through horror and dark comedy, has secured Romanian production company Manifest Film as a co-producer.
The film is one of 21 projects selected for the market, which runs as part of the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund. The team behind “Vagina Dentata” is currently seeking additional co-production partners in France, Germany, and Hungary, along with more financing and distribution deals.
From Documentary Success to Fiction Debut
Nataša Urban is no stranger to the festival circuit. Her documentary “The Eclipse” won the top Dox:Award at CPH:DOX in 2022. The film was also selected for IDFA and MoMA, establishing Urban as a filmmaker to watch.
“The Eclipse” is an essayistic documentary that uses the solar eclipses of 1961 and 1999 as a framing device. In the film, Urban travels back to her native Serbia to examine her country’s responsibility for the Yugoslav wars, creating what critics called a “richly layered” exploration of memory and national guilt.
Now, Urban is making the leap from documentary to fiction with “Vagina Dentata.” The project is produced by Ingvil Giske through Norway’s Medieoperatørene. Giske is known for producing “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” and “The Painter and the Thief,” both of which won awards at Sundance.
What Is ‘Vagina Dentata’ About?
The film follows a 40-year-old artist who gives birth through a bloody C-section. On her first night with her newborn, she begins having violent thoughts. The story uses supernatural horror elements to explore the psychological pressures of new motherhood.
Urban said the idea came from her own experience after becoming a parent. The gap between what society tells women about motherhood and what she actually felt became the driving force behind the film.
“When I became a mother, what I experienced was in no way what I had been told it would be like. Instead of sunshine and butterflies, all I could think about was death. I was terrified — a feeling that is the baseline and driving force of this film, one that I hope many others will recognize.”
The film blends horror with dark comedy, continuing Urban’s interest in using personal experience to explore bigger social and political issues.
Manifest Film Joins as Co-Producer
Manifest Film, a Romanian production company, has come on board as a co-producer for “Vagina Dentata.” The partnership was announced exclusively through Variety ahead of the Haugesund market.
The project is currently 60% financed, with most of the secured funding coming from the Norwegian Film Institute. The team is now looking to close the remaining financing and expand the project’s European co-production structure.
Acclaimed Editor Dana Bunescu Attached
Romanian editor Dana Bunescu has also joined the project. Her credits include some of the most respected films in recent European cinema:
- “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” by Cristian Mungiu
- “The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu” by Cristi Puiu
- “Child’s Pose” by Călin Peter Netzer
- “Collective,” the Oscar-nominated documentary by Alexander Nanau
Bunescu’s involvement adds significant pedigree to the project, given her work on films that have won major awards at Cannes and other festivals.
Haugesund Market: A Key Industry Event
“Vagina Dentata” is being pitched at the Nordic Co-Production Market, which is part of New Nordic Films during the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund. The market runs from August 25 to 28 and brings together Nordic and international producers, financiers, distributors, and sales agents.
This year’s market received more than 120 submissions for 21 spots, a record level matching 2025, according to head of industry Gyda Velvin Myklebust. Norway alone had nine projects selected from 30 submissions, including five debuts.
For producer Ingvil Giske, Haugesund has proven to be a valuable place for building partnerships.
“It is such a pleasure working with Nataša again, her films are both wild, funny, serious and beautiful. I feel there is a need to get more diverse stories about motherhood and Haugesund as a relatively small venue is the perfect place to meet with potential collaborators.”
Giske added that previous trips to Haugesund had produced unexpected partnerships.
“Last time I was here, we set up a co-production with a country I did not initially intend to work with, so I am really looking forward to seeing what will happen this time.”
A New Kind of Motherhood Story
“Vagina Dentata” joins a growing number of films that use horror to explore the realities of motherhood. The title itself refers to a folk tale about a toothed vagina, a concept that has appeared in various cultures as a cautionary story. In this case, Urban is using the metaphor to address the fears and pressures that come with becoming a parent.
The project has already generated interest within the industry, partly due to Urban’s track record with “The Eclipse” and the involvement of high-profile collaborators like Bunescu and Giske.
The film is a Norwegian-Romanian co-production, with Urban based in Oslo. The team is actively looking for more European partners to complete the financing package.
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What’s Next for the Project
For now, the immediate goal at the Haugesund market is to secure the remaining financing and expand the co-production structure. The project is in development, and production has not yet begun.
The response from industry insiders has been positive, with the project being highlighted as one of the standout selections at this year’s Nordic Co-Production Market. The involvement of experienced producers and editors suggests that “Vagina Dentata” has the potential to make a significant impact once it reaches the screen.
Urban’s move from documentary to fiction is being watched closely, given the critical success of “The Eclipse.” Her willingness to tackle difficult personal subjects through genre filmmaking sets “Vagina Dentata” apart from more conventional horror films.
The film’s exploration of postnatal depression and the gap between expectation and reality in motherhood is a topic that resonates with many, and Urban hopes the film will speak to others who have had similar experiences.
“I hope many others will recognize” the feelings she describes, Urban said.
With a strong creative team in place and momentum building at Haugesund, “Vagina Dentata” is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing Nordic film projects in development.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on the latest film projects, festival news, and industry developments from around the world.
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