‘The Bothersome Man’ Director Jens Lien Tackles Automation Anxiety in ‘Joe’s Assignment’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Aug 28, 2026 2:03am PT ‘The Bothersome Man’ Director Jens Lien Tackles Automation Anxiety in ‘Joe’s Assignment’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Starring 'Lilyhammer's' Trond Fausa Aurvåg, the Norway-Greece co-production is slated to complete post-production in October

By Davide Abbatescianni

Plus Icon

Davide Abbatescianni

Latest

Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ Drives Arthouse Success From Taiwan to Romania as Distributors Reveal Nordic Playbook 46 minutes ago
‘The Bothersome Man’ Director Jens Lien Tackles Automation Anxiety in ‘Joe’s Assignment’ (EXCLUSIVE) 57 minutes ago
Motherhood Horror Film ‘Vagina Dentata,’ ‘From The Eclipse’ Director Nataša Urban, Boarded by Romanian Partner Manifest Film (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago

See All

Trond Fausa Aurvåg stars in 'Joe’s Assignment' Credit: Anders Flatland

Jens Lien, the Norwegian filmmaker behind cult dystopian comedy “The Bothersome Man” and HBO Nordic sci-fi satire “Beforeigners,” is returning to speculative territory with “Joe’s Assignment,” a near-future comedy starring Lilyhammer’s Trond Fausa Aurvåg and turning on work, automation and what happens when society no longer needs people to do very much at all.

The Norway-Greece co-production, now in post, was showcased Thursday in the Works in Progress strand at New Nordic Films in Haugesund. Norway’s Einar Film Drama produces with Greece’s Filmiki.