The Orheim Company (2012)

Directed by: Arild Andresen
Country: Norway

Plot: Jarle Klepp gets a message that forces his mind back to something he'd rather forgotten - his childhood with his father in Stavanger.
Review: “The Orheim Company” is a Norwegian drama about how tough can be growing up inside an unhealthy family environment. The story can be taken seriously, with good acting in general and a confident directing. Alcohol problems are in the basis of the plot, with some embarrassing and tense situations that worked in a very compelling manner. But the movie has another side, which is not so favorable. The story is not sufficiently original or stimulant to be recalled. I consider it a movie to watch, but not to be part of my first choices.
Relevant awards: best actor and supporting actress (Amanda awards, Norway)

Oslo, August 31st (2011)

Directed by: Joachim Trier
Country: Norway

Plot: One day in the life of Anders, a young recovering drug addict, who takes a brief leave from his treatment center to interview for a job and catch up with old friends in Oslo.
Quick comment: Joachim Trier has been revealing himself as one of the most interesting norwegian directors. If “Reprise” (2006) had left a good impression, “Oslo August 31st” does even better. This is a believable story which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. A lonely man is trying to face the world the best way he can after being in a drug rehabilitation center. But it becomes very hard to believe in himself when everyone else has given up. Not to miss!
Relevant awards: -

Headhunters (2011)

Directed by: Morten Tyldum
Country: Norway

Plot: An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.
Quick comment: Vibrant and surprisingly funny, won't let you fall asleep. Supported by delicious details and a mysterious atmosphere that reminded me the Coen brothers darkest movies, we stand before a breathtaking bloodbath where the hunter becomes the hunted.
Relevant Awards: -

Turn Me On, Dammit! (2011)

Directed by: Jannicke Systad Jacobsen
Country: Norway

Plot: A mother learns her 15 year old daughter has been making phone calls to a service number... an adult-oriented service number. A norwegian teen sex comedy.
Quick comment: It has nothing new to say about the subject but in fact some ideas presented are fresh and the humor is remarkable. Light and no more than enjoyable.
Relevant Awards: -

Happy Happy (2010)

Directed by: Anne Sewitsky
Country: Norway

Plot: Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys...
Quick comment: a bit predictable in its mixed amorous betrayals, could have been much better in many aspects. However it guarantees some entertainment in a melancholic mood.
Relevant Awards: Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival, USA

King of the Devil's Island (2010)

Directed by: Marius Holst
Country: Norway

Plot: Norwegian winter, early 20th century. On the boys home Bastoy, a new inmate leads the boys to a violent uprising against a brutal regime. How far is he willing to go to attain freedom?
Quick Comment: Good cinematography and good acting in general, but it could have been more ambitious in a theme so much revisited in the past.
Relevant Awards: Best Film at Amanda Awards, Norway and Lubeck, Germany

Troll Hunter (2010)

Realizado por: Andre Ovredal
País: Noruega
A primeira lembrança que nos vem à cabeça quando começamos a assistir a este documentário fantasioso é o "Blairwitch Project", mas neste caso com maiores doses de diversão. Um grupo de estudantes universitários intrigados com as estranhas mortes de ursos numa região da Noruega, começam a investigar um misterioso caçador solitário, descobrindo que a causa das mortes prendem-se com a existência de "trolls", as míticas criaturas do folclore escandinavo. Com toques de comédia bem metidas pelo meio, magnífica caracterização dos trolls e realização de qualidade, é um filme para não levar a sério mas que proporciona bons momentos de diversão e alguma adrenalina.

Troubled Water (2009)

Realizado por: Erik Poppe
País: Noruega

Um jovem é libertado da prisão, após ter sido acusado de matar o seu irmão mais novo em circunstâncias que nunca foram bem apuradas. Procurando uma nova oportunidade na vida, consegue trabalho como organista na igreja da sua cidade natal. Tudo irá complicar-se quando a sua mãe descobre que ele se encontra à solta na cidade. À medida que nos vai sendo revelada a verdade sobre o que se passou, o filme torna-se um tanto ou quanto previsível, conseguindo no entanto criar algum impacto a nível emotivo.

Nord (2008)

Realizado por: Rune Denstad Langlo
País: Noruega

Um antigo esquiador sofrendo de ataques de pânico e com problemas de alcoolismo, encontra-se em recuperação numa estação de ski num local remoto, onde presta alguns serviços.
Ao decidir partir numa moto-ski com o bjectivo de ir visitar o seu filho de 4 anos, vai cruzar-se pelo caminho com uma série de personagens estranhas e solitárias que o vão acolhendo e que, aos poucos a ele se vão afeiçoando.
Vencedor de dois prémios no Festival de Berlim.
A ver.