Nord

Rune Denstad Langlo had the idea for North as he was going through a life crisis and asked the established Norwegian writer/scriptwriter Erlend Loe to make it into a feature film screenplay. The director used his experience in documentaries to film non-professional actors in intimate scenes, as well as Anders Baasmo Christiansen in his first major role.

The ‘anti-depressive off-road-movie' set against the icy scenery of northern Norway was filmed by cinematographer Philip Øgaard (The Kautokeino Rebellion).

North was the opening film of the Panorama section at the Berlin Film Festival 2009, where it received a standing ovation and was picked up for world distribution by half a dozen territories. In Berlin, it won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film and a shared Europa Cinemas Label Award, the first of several accolades to follow, including Best New Narrative Filmmaker at Robert de Niro's Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Synopsis

Following a nervous breakdown, ski athlete Jomar has isolated himself in a lonely existence as the guard of a ski park. When he learns that he might be the father of child way up north, he sets on a strange and poetic journey through Norway on a snowmobile, with 5 litres of alcohol as sole provisions.

On this journey through amazing arctic landscapes, Jomar seems to do everything in his power to avoid reaching his destination. He meets other tender and confused souls, who will all contribute to push Jomar further along his reluctant journey towards the brighter side of life.

Director - Rune Denstad Langlo

The 37 year-old filmmaker born in Trondheim, has over ten years experience as director and producer in the documentary genre. North is his feature debut. He first joined the production company Motlys in 1998 as production assistant and researcher for a historic documentary on Roald Amundsen. He then directed the feature length documentaries Too much Norway (2005), to commemorate the country's centenary, and 99% Honest (2008) about a hip hop band. Both films were released in the cinemas and received critical acclaim.

Scriptwriter - Erlend Loe

Since the mid-90's, Erlend Loe is one of Norway's most renowned novelists. His literary debut came in 1993 with the novel Tatt av kvinnen (Gone with the Woman), and his second book Naive Super (1997) became a cult novel and best-seller across Europe. As a scriptwriter with a degree from Denmark's National Film School, he has adapted his own novels Gone with the Woman for filmmaker Petter Næss, and Kurt Turns Evil, the animation film directed by Rasmus A. Sivertsen. He also wrote the script for Pål Jackman's acclaimed feature debut Detektor.

Producer - Sigve Endresen

Sigve Endresen is active in the Norwegian film business since 1975. He directed his first short film in 1978, and set up his own production company Motlys in 1983. Co-run today with producers Yngve Sæther and Brede Hovland, it is one of the leading feature film and documentary production companies in Scandinavia.

Endresen directed several award winning documentaries and produced some of Norway's strongest directors like Nils Gaup(Misery Harbour) Marius Holst (Dragonflies), and Gunnar Vikene (Falling Sky). He has also co-produced Denmark's The Art of Crying, winner of the 2007 Nordic Council Film Prize, and Sweden's Everlasting Moments.

Producer - Brede Hovland

Brede Hovland graduated from BA Film Producing, Columbia College, LA, USA in 1999. After return to Norway he has produced several documentaries and short movies, among others; "Daddy's love" (2007), "Den romantiske besettelsen" (2007) "The Cubist" (2007). He also produced the TV-series "Moviestar" (2005) and the feature film "Cold feet" (2006). He started in Motlys in 2007 as a line producer for "The man who loved Yngve".

Key production information

Original Title - Nord

Director - Rune Denstad Langlo

Scriptwriter - Erlend Loe

Producers - Sigve Endersen, Brede Hovland

Production company - Motlys

Film length - 78 min

Norwegian distributor - Sandrew Metronome Norge

International sales - Memento Films