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CROP CIRCLES

By Angus MACLANE

Comedy - Development 2024

CROP CIRCLES is a deadpan comedy about a grumpy old Swedish farmer and a Pakistani-American social media influencer who are thrown together and form a reluctant friendship that challenges both of them to confront their pasts.

- Year of production
- 2024
- Genres
- Comedy, Social issues, Drama
- Countries
- SWEDEN
- Languages
- ENGLISH, SWEDISH
- Director(s)
- Angus MACLANE
- Writer(s)
- Tashana LANDRAY
- Cast
- Kal PENN
- Producer(s)
- Tashana LANDRAY, Laura BOERSMA, Christian HALLMAN
- Synopsis
- Retired farmer Max Karlsson lives with his cat in an old farmhouse in southern Sweden. A proudly self-sufficient and anti-social curmudgeon, Max could care less that his farm is in a cell service dead zone where he can’t get phone or internet service.
  
  When Max finds out that his daughter Nora, who lives in Dubai, is having complications in her pregnancy, he realizes he needs to be able to keep in touch with her.
  
  Inspired by a news story he sees, he forms a plan. He secretly creates a crop circle in a nearby field, drawing crowds of tourists and UFO enthusiasts. Max is jubilant - if the crowds get big enough, the local telco will have to improve the cell service.
  
  After a near collision with a Swedish moose damages Max’s beloved yet ancient bicycle, Max needs money for a new bike. He reluctantly agrees to rent a room to Kamran Siddiqi, a Pakistani-American social media star who travels the world, following any reported “signs” of alien life.
  
  Kamran’s optimism and friendliness begin to chip away at Max’s chilly exterior. When Kamran admits that the reason he follows UFO sightings is that he believes his fiancée was abducted by aliens, Max opens up about his beloved wife who died in a plane crash. Both are harboring a hidden grief.
  
  Staying focused on his goal of being able to communicate with his daughter, Max creates more crop circles, while keeping it a secret from Kamran and the local authorities.
  
  As the net begins to tighten, Kamran is accused in Max’s stead. Max gives himself up, admitting the hoax to Kamran and the police. Kamran, feeling betrayed, is furious with Max.
  
  Just then the new cell tower comes online. Max’s phone pings - his daughter Nora is going into labor.
  
  Max realizes that he needs to be there for Nora in person, despite his fear of flying. He runs into the forest, escaping arrest. As night falls and the police sweep the woods, he hides in a tree, trying to figure out how to get to Dubai.
  
  He finally texts Kamran, asking him (for the first time) for help. Despite his initial anger, Kamran realizes that Max helped him see the truth about his fiancée leaving him. He agrees to help Max attempt to get to Dubai.
  
  Calling on the assistance of Max’s neighbors, and Kamran’s social media followers, Max and Kamran concoct an elaborate plan to spirit Max out of the woods, through the countryside, and to the local airport, all while avoiding the authorities.
  
  Finally Max makes it to the hospital in Dubai. Nora cries tears of joy as she introduces him to her twin babies.
  
  Later, Max is helping care for the babies when a video call comes in from Kamran. Kamran is at Max’s farm, taking care of Max’s cat, and looking towards a future moving past his failed relationship.
  
  The two friends connect over the distance.