The 54th Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund handed out its top honors to "The Rivals of Amziah King," "Butterfly" and "Pressure," with the ceremony taking place as news broke of Norwegian King Harald's deteriorating health.
"We are of course sad to hear that the king is really ill, and have the deapest sympathy for the Crown Prince, who is the festival's High Protector, and the rest of the royal family," said Festival & Program Director Tonje Hardersen.
The Matthew McConaughey-led "The Rivals of Amziah King" took the Ray of Sunshine Award, given to the film that "excites and spreads the most joy." Jurors praised its "humor and warmth," saying: "It's poetic and beautiful, but also a wild ride. There were times when it shocked us, times when it made us want to get up and dance, and times when it made us want to call our loved ones. The film is a reminder that life is fragile and that we have limited time with the people closest to us." They also singled out the film's "inspired editing, which brings an extra spark of life to the film."
Itonje Søimer Guttormsen's "Butterfly," starring Renate Reinsve, won the Norwegian Critics' Award for being "both immensely entertaining and deeply moving." Jurors noted its "striking visual flair" and its exploration of "a powerful sense of place and landscape, as well as the complexities of human relationships," adding that "the performances are equally compelling, allowing each actor to reveal the full breadth of their range." Reinsve told Variety the set felt like "a mix between a fictional movie and a documentary," crediting non-professional actors with real ties to the filming locations. "I love filmmakers who try to challenge the established," she said. "Itonje's ideas come from somewhere else. It's so unconventional and I really admire that."
"Pressure," directed by Anthony Maras and starring Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott, follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower as he plans the Normandy landings while heeding meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg. Jurors said the film "successfully builds tension throughout" despite the known outcome, calling it a portrait of "a man under unbelievable pressure" that stresses "the importance of standing by one's convictions and beliefs, even when everyone around you wants you to do otherwise." The film's local distributor deadpanned: "This films is about the two things Norwegians like to talk about the most: World War II and the weather."
Industry Pitch Honors
On the industry side, "Grandmonster" won the Best Pitch Award. Selected for the Nordic Co-Production Market, the project follows an American dropout who tries to save her grandmother from dementia and accidentally sets off a zombie outbreak at a Norwegian nursing home. It will be directed by Vegard Dahle and produced by Jon Vatne for Syden Pictures. Jurors Annick Mahnert, Soňa Morgenthalová, Iris Cadoux and Kalle Løchen praised its "generous dose of cheeky humor, horror, and, apparently, zombies with dentures," adding: "Both the director and producer were completely at ease during their presentation. They made us laugh, they moved us and, most importantly, they convinced us that silliness and horror can travel remarkably well across borders." Dahle joked, "It's a lot of feelings for a Norwegian – and we pride ourselves on not showing any feelings," before promising, "I hope to see you here again in three years, and bring your grandmothers. This film will be very serious."
Also earning recognition were the Finnish project "Elektra," directed by Elisa Kujala and produced by Dionysos Films; Ea Johanne Sandberg and Alpha Nord's "Anathema"; and "Groupies," directed by Clara Vida of The Norwegian Film School at the University of Inland.
The Viking Ship's Star Turn
The festival also spotlighted Draken Harald Hårfagre, described as "the world's largest Viking ship sailing in modern times" and a featured presence in "The Odyssey." Captain Björn Ahlander recalled that "Christopher Nolan came to see the ship, and he fell in love with it. And so we went down with the ship to Greece." He described how the production stripped away modern items, including the tent, and how Nolan recruited the crew: "Suddenly, we were dressed in costumes and rowing alongside them." Ahlander said rowing "in different weather conditions and so close to the land" was demanding but manageable "over and over again," and noted growing interest in the ship, with volunteers now traveling from around the world to join the crew.
Launched in 2012 and built in Norway using traditional methods, the ship was designed as a reconstruction of vessels described in the Norse sagas. Crewmember Dinnie Jay, a rigger at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, said the ship is "35 meters long," making it "bigger than anything found in archeological digs," though she noted "that size comes directly from the sagas." She added: "There aren't many replicas out there, so it's really pretty exciting."
Photo: DHSgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
