Upperdog

Expecting a comedy I found one of the most lovely dramas that I have seen lately that touched all my fibers and make me feel everything. I even cried, a little. Laugh, a little, with great Nordic humor. But most of all I was mesmerized by the awesome storytelling style that makes what could have been a common story into a unique emotional voyage thanks to the outstanding weaving of small incidents that make the whole a unique emotional experience even when excellent actors did mostly deadpan, emotionless, stiff body and cold performances. BRAVO!

I always felt that storytelling is one of the most important elements in a movie -if not THE most important- and this movie absolutely confirms what I've felt. With clean and almost perfect visuals that totally complement actors performances, your attention immediately goes to the story, to the characters, to the narrative and it takes a bit to understand the style but once you get it you stop thinking about whatever you think when watching movies (me, I think a lot) and enjoy the ride. Little by little, slowly, the story weaving involves you. Fantastic!

Lately multilingual films are becoming my favorites as definitively represent reality in countries with immigrants. Here we are in Norway and actors speak Norwegian, but you have a Russian character, Maria (extraordinary Agnieszka Grochowska) that communicates in English but speaks home in Russian. She's the only warm, wait not really, she's the only hot character and truly does it so well that makes the contrast to other characters more evident. Then we have Yanne and Axel, two characters that are Asian but absolutely behave like any other Norwegian, as they were adopted when were very young. The last character Per is a young Norwegian that was in Afghanistan and now is a student. The story is about these four characters and believe me, looks and feels very real.

So what's the story about? I won't tell you as I'm sure will spoil the movie; please try to watch without knowing absolutely nothing about the story (like me), it's important if you want to really enjoy the storytelling amazing style. I won't even post a trailer so you have no clues.

Big chapeau to director Sara Johnsen for an amazing film and for an excellent screenplay as she's also the writer. All recognitions that she gets are extremely well-deserved. As you know Johnsen and the film were the big winners at the recent Amanda Awards.

Absolutely must be seen if you enjoy great (and very simple) excellent cinema, but you have to at least be familiar (a little) with Nordic cinema to fully enjoy the film.

Yes, is the best Norwegian film that I've seen up-to-date.

BIG ENJOY!!!

26th Amanda Awards

Last night the Norwegian yearly top awards had the awards ceremony and the big winner was Sara Johnsen's Upperdog that got most of the top awards. Here are the winners.

Best Norwegian Cinema: Upperdog, Sara Johnsen
Best Director: Sara Johnsen for Upperdog
Best Actress: Agnieszka Grochowska in Upperdog, Sara Johnsen
Best Actor: Stellan Skarsgård in En ganske snill mann (A Somewhat Gentle Man), Hans Petter Moland

Best Foreign Cinema: The White Ribbon, Michael Haneke

To check winners in all categories go here available only in Norwegian.

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)

Second installment of the Millennium Trilogy series, following “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”.

While Blomkvist and other Millennium journalists research the sex industry according to the rules of good journalism, Salander tries to take matters into her own hands. She wants punishment for the traffickers, but before she can carry out her plan, she is accused of murder, connected to the sex trafficking exposé about to be published in Millennium.

To avoid being captured, Salander disappears and Blomkvist, convinced she is innocent, tries to find her to help clear her name. When he does make contact, it is to discover that Salander is involved in his investigation in more ways than he could imagine.

I’d like to say you can see this movie without watching the first one or reading the books; but I don’t recommend it. The movie follows on some of the facts that happened previously and explains a lot more about the main character, Lisbeth Salander.

As I thought it would, it cuts some interesting information that is on the book, but as I said before, it is not easy at all to make a very deep and intense book fit in a movie. I hope it will make you read the books, as it’s well worth the effort.

Director Daniel Alfredson is not up to the task he had on his hands and the movie suffers a little in comparison with the previous one because of it.

In spite of that, again we have great acting and a compelling story. Noomi Rapace does not disappoint and neither does her character Lisbeth, a truly kick-ass girl. The movie is over two hours long, but you don’t notice it, since it’s packed with action and has a good plot. Unfortunately the sex trafficking theme is only touched very softly, setting the background to what actually turns into a chase for Salander. So, either you are a fan of Salander or not; if not, skip the movie and forget about her. If you are, you’ll certainly enjoy the movie.

In an interesting detail that some will miss, we find former boxer Paolo Roberto playing himself.

I can hardly wait to read the third book and watch the final movie and, as many fans, I’m truly sorry to know that will be the end of it, following Larsson’s death. In my opinion Salander had the potential to become a 21st century icon of investigation, not unlike a Sherlock Holmes (if you have seen the new Holmes movie you’ll understand better, but that’s another review).

I hate the official poster for this movie as I think it makes Lisbeth look cheap, but that is just my personal opinion. That’s why you are getting a frame of the movie with this review instead of the usual poster.

I keep hearing that there will be a Hollywood version of the Trilogy, and I keep praying it won’t happen. I can’t imagine anyone else but Rapace and Nyqvist playing the main characters and I don’t see the point of remaking the movies.Besides, I can’t remember an American adaptation of a European movie that is better than the original. Not even “Three Men and a Baby”.

By the way, this time I agree with Storyteller as this movie fits the “lesbian interest” tag. Really. And if you are thinking “sex scene”…well, check it out for yourselves.

Green light!

Folk flest bor i Kina (Most People live in China)

The film is also known as Utopia – Nobody Is Perfect in the Perfect Country.

This collection of small segments tied by one narrative that tells about a gas station in the middle of nowhere (like Norway is, according to the producers) was done to represent (or mock) Norway’s political parties and as far as I read it does a good job as got honors in local festivals. The problem is that I do not know a thing about Norway politics and much less what was happening in 2001 when the movie was produced.

So you probably say: why would someone watch something about something that know nothing? Well, I knew there was a lesbian interest segment; that by-the-way is caustic funny and so realistic in many ways but is perhaps the shortest segment of all.

The extremely funny thing is that I really liked this film that I believe is about people and their crazy ways as human beings. But most of all I like it because REALLY made me relax and feel good after a not-so-good day.

So if you ever have a terrible day then perhaps you should give a try to this movie that I’m sure will lift positively your spirits and the perspective about yourself and all people from anywhere in the world. This is a small world after all.

Enjoy. (Couldn't find a trailer.)

37th Norwegian International Film Festival Award Winners

The fest run from August 20 to 27 in Haugesund, Norway and last Thursday they had their award ceremony and here are the winners.

Film Critics Award: Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold, UK, 2009
Jury Statement: The winner is a film with the rawest and most intense female character the jury has seen in a long time. In addition she is played with impressive complexity by a 17-year-old amateur actress. We follow her as the protagonist of a merciless fight to survive where the terms change more rapidly than it is possible to adapt to them, and the director succeeds in creating sympathy for all characters in a story where there are no good Samaritans. As regards the film’s directorial devices, the jury wants especially to emphasise the excellent cinematography and a creative use of music, which becomes like a distinct actor in the action. The award winner proves that she is at the same level as the best and established directors in this genre. Even though it is natural to compare with Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, there can be no doubt that this filmmaker has a distinct, personal voice.

Ray of Sunshine: Looking for Eric, Ken Loach, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, and Spain, 2009
Jury Statement: This year’s Ray of Sunshine goes to a small masterpiece of a film. Through a highly realistic narrative style, but with a touch of magic, a story is told about daring to be honest, to oneself, one’s friends and the world at large. The film is funny, fast-talking and stylistically assured, and manages to touch painful and difficult aspects of life without for one moment to become sentimental. The powerful characters are impressive and believable, we root for our heroes and are delighted along with them in the film’s decisive final scene. A victory for the value of human life and for wisdom!

Andreas Award: The White Ribbon, Michael Haneke, Austria, France, Italy and Germany, 2009
Jury Statement: This year’s award winner has stated that a feature film is twenty-four lies a second. Nevertheless, we are speaking about a director who on numerous occasions has shown a strong determination and a strong ability to uncover lies. Through subtle means and by asking dangerous questions, in his new film the director reaches discouraging but important insights. Various states and degrees of innocence are questioned, religious and secular abuse of power is criticised, and everything is done with an exquisite sense of the ethical and aesthetic force inherent in the special expressive powers of cinema.

Audience Award: UP, Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, USA, 2009

To read the official press release go here.

Max Manus (Max Manus: Man of War)

Some of you perhaps recall that I do not like war movies and you may also noticed that lately I have seen a few about WWII some better than others. But in my opinion there is a big difference between European war movies and let’s say, Hollywood war movies. The later are more action driven, while the Europeans are more drama driven. Max Manus not only is a biopic with not too many artistic licenses, but also has a great tale about a real-life man with a colorful life full of not so usual “adventures” that was able to hurt the Germans in occupied Norway. It is an entertaining mainstream movie that does not look much like your usual Hollywood fare.

I find the story and production values similar to the Danish Flammen & Citronen or the Dutch Zwartboek (Black Book) as this movie tells about a Norway resistance hero that from improvisation went to training in Scotland, to end up blowing famous German war ships and to become one of the most wanted by the local Gestapo, who never was able to kill him, even when he was captured once.

Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg the film has good production values that make an easy to watch and very entertaining film. By the way, I’m sure that most of the blog readers know the work of these directors, as surely many have seen the Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek film Bandidas that was directed by this duo. The film has nice cinematography and some puzzling scenes with hand-held camera that intensify the drama on the screen.

The movie was honored with many awards at the 2009 Amanda Awards including Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Actor to Aksel Hennie that plays a very credible Max Manus, andBest Supporting Actress to Agnes Kitelsen that plays Tikken Lindebrække, his contact in Sweden and eventually his wife (that you do not see it in the film, but the film motivated me to read about the real life Max Manus and I enriched my world History knowledge with this interesting hero real bio).

I enjoyed the movie as an interesting piece of Norway History in an entertaining drama about an unusual war hero and as such I do recommend it.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

25th Amanda Awards Winners

Last Friday the award winners were announced and here they are.

Best Norwegian Film: Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008

Best Director: Arild Fröhlich for Fatso, Norway, 2008
Best Actress: Ellen Dorrit Petersen in Iskyss (Ice Kiss), Knut Erik Jensen, Norway, 2008
Best Actor: Aksel Hennie in Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008
Best Supporting Actress: Agnes Kittelsen in Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008
Best Supporting Actor: Mads Sjøgård Pettersen in Nord (North), Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway, 2009
Best Screenplay: Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008
Best Cinematography: Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008

To check the award winners in all categories go here.

25th Amanda Awards Nominations

A while ago the jury president of these Norwegian awards announced the nominees. The Amanda Awards ceremony opens the 37th Norwegian International Film Festival and will take place on August 21st. The ceremony will be broadcasted live by TV2.

Here are some of the nominees

Best Film
Jernanger (Shooting the Sun aka The Storm in My Heart), Pål Jackman, Norway, 2009
Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008
Nord (North), Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway, 2009 (I really want to see this film!)

Best Director
Erik Poppe for DeUsynlige (Troubled Water), Norway, 2009
Arild Fröhlich for Fatso, Norway, 2008
Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning for Max Manus, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008

Best Actress
Trine Dyrholm in DeUsynlige (Troubled Water), Erik Poppe, Norway, 2009
Ingrid Bolsø Berdal in Fritt vilt II (Cold Prey 2), Mats Stenberg, Norway, 2008
Ellen Dorrit Petersen in Iskyss (Ice Kiss), Knut Erik Jensen, Norway, 2008

Best Actor
Bjørn Sundquist in Jernanger (Shooting the Sun aka The Storm in My Heart), Pål Jackman, Norway, 2009
Aksel Hennie in Max Manus, (Max Manus: Man of War), Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, Norway, Denmark, Germany, 2008
Kristoffer Joner in Skjult (Hidden), Pål Øie, Norway 2009 and Den siste revejakta (The Last Joint Venture), Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen, Norway, 2008

To check the nominees in all the categories go here.

Not very often I get the opportunity to watch Norwegian films but I believe that there are some quite interesting films with nominations. I’ll try to find trailers.

As soon as the NIFF lists the films in each program I will post them; the fest runs this year from August 20 to 27.

Watch trailers @ Movie On Companion

O’Horten

I found this Bent Hamer film sad, very sad, even when it is a bittersweet drama about the age of retirement, being a loner –yet not being lonely- and having a very unexpected happy end. I like the so special Nordic humor, but here the jokes and situations were more sad than funny. Then the movie is dark, too dark; I do not mean the humor, but most of the scenes are at night or in dark places and even when some visual compositions were really interesting, the total feeling is that is dark.

But there is a reason for everything, as this movie tells the story of Odd Horten that after 40 years as a locomotive engineer he is retiring. Opening scenes briefly show how orderly his life is and when he is “forced” to have nothing to do, he is lost in many more ways than just the obvious. In what I imagined as a the torment of finding what to do in his life-changing moment, he embarks in a series of odd situations that start the very night when after 40 years all he gets from his colleagues is a silver locomotive that looks more like a trophy! So you will follow him facing the most odd situations you can imagine until the very end that turns around the story to make it totally sweet and happy.

I find the story and film style very similar to Finish Aki Kaurismäki style, as has impeccable production values, great deadpan performances, slowish pace and outstanding very cold cinematography with the most magnificent views of a train riding alone the white surroundings. Obviously in the last happy scene cinematography changes and the transition is visually spectacular.

The film that was screened in the Un Certain Regard at 2007 Cannes and went to collect honors in many awards and fests; definitively not for all audiences as you have to really enjoy Nordic cinema and deadpan performances in visually interesting compositions and cinematography.

I found it too sad –not crying sad, but makes you feel sad- so it is not one movie to watch when you’re feeling blue; but I definitively enjoy it more for the great cold visuals.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion