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In 2013, Daniel Rye, a Danish photographer in his mid-twenties, went to Syria to document the plight of civilian refugees and was kidnapped by Isis. Ransomed and held captive for 13 months, Rye was psychologically and physically tortured, starved and beaten by his captors, first on his own and then alongside several other international hostages, among them U.S. journalist James Foley.

This is the inherently dramatic true story told in Puk Damsgaard Andersen’s book “The Isis Hostage,” but it takes intelligence and paradoxical restraint from directors Niels Arden Oplev (Sweden’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) and Anders W. Berthelsen, as well as a superb, exceptionally physical lead performance from Esben Smed, to adapt it into “Daniel,” . Partly, the balance between gritty, true-life fidelity and pacy, exciting storytelling is achieved because in Rye, to whom Eric Kress’ warm, compassionate camera clings so doggedly, we have such a sympathetic, human protagonist.

Niels Arden Oplev, director of the Scandinavian film <em>The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo</em> and, more recently,<em> Dead Man Down</em> and <em>Flatliners</em>, is returning to Europe for his next project: <em>Daniel</em>, the true story of the Isis kidnapping of Danish photographer Daniel Rye Ottosen.

Ottosen, a freelance war photographer, was captured by the Islamic terrorist group on May 18, 2013, and held prisoner for 13 months. His cellmates included acclaimed journalist James Foley, who was later publicly beheaded by Isis.

Esben Smed (<em>Follow the Money</em>) will play Ottosen alongside an Nordic all-star cast, including Anders W. Berthelsen, Sofie Torp, Christiane Gjellerup Koch, Jens Jorn ...