THE TONKIN LETTERS

In 1888, Swedish twin brothers Martin and Henning Sandell are in personal debt. What’s more, Martin is involved in an unfortunate love affair. In order to escape their troubles back home, they enlist in the French Foreign Legion.

The brothers are subsequently posted in the remote and unforgiving province of Tonkin (the northernmost part of Vietnam). Henning dies after a few months ordeal. Martin, however, spends the next 25 adventurous yet tormenting years in this turbulent part of the world. In more than 200 letters back home an incredible life, during an amazing time in history, is depicted. This film project is based on the book “Breven från Tonkin” by Bertil Nelsson.

Watch a preproduction clip (in Swedish) below.