‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ Director Viggo Mortensen And Star Vicky Krieps On The Lasting Appeal Of The Western — TIFF Studio

THE DEAD DON’T HURT

Section: Special Presentations

Director: Viggo Mortensen

Screenwriter: Viggo Mortensen

Logline: In the 1860s, a French-Canadian flower seller (Vicky Krieps), and a Danish carpenter (Mortensen) meet in San Francisco. Fiercely independent, she refuses his offer of marriage, but agrees to travel with him to his home in Nevada. There, they try to start a life together, but the mounting Civil War is about to change everything.

Sales: Hanway Films (U.S., International)

Panelists: Viggo Mortensen and Vicky Krieps

First Screening: Sept. 8, 2023

Key Quote: “Thinking about it now, Western movies are often about the story of establishing a new frontier — for the United States, usually, or perhaps Canada. And I thought, ‘What a good setting to have for our story,’ which is about a woman who, in a way, is creating a new frontier just by being herself.” – Viggo Mortensen.