|
See more reviews of Norwegian movies and of the Elling movies!
In association with:     Our warmest thanks to readers supporting our site by purchasing from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de or Barnes & Noble via our links. |
Buddy (2003)A blending of genres, this bittersweet film from Norway is a buddy film and a romantic comedy rolled into one. Two billboard hangers move in with an agoraphobic third man, and life for the three  20-somethings proceeds with no more than the usual rough spots in the road of prolonged adolescence.
A budding romance goes sour when the exchange of apartment keys is not equally appreciated by both parties, and another of the three discovers that he has a six-year-old son. Changes are set in motion, however, when their lives become the subject of a reality TV show. Entertaining and enjoyable film about friendship, romantic relationships, and discovering the heart's true desires. Kristoffer's love life is on the rocks. But what can you expect from a guy who likes to videotape himself and his friends pulling outrageous stunts? So when Kristoffer's video diary winds up at a popular TV show, it's not just his love life that turns upside down. A vibrant young cast explores the true meaning of friendship and love in a heart-warming story about hi jinks, crazy roommates and reality television. Buddy won the Audience Award at the 2003 Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Carlsbad, Czech Republic, which is becoming an important film festival for Central and Eastern Europe.
Hawaii, OsloThis movie from 2004, is about the story of a handful of desperate people whose paths cross on the hottest day of the year in Oslo.Frode and Milla have their first child, It has a little bit of everything - humor, tear jerker, babies and two young boys, mystery, romance, family problems, and even mystical elements. The amazing thing is that they are all woven together with extremely unusual mastery for a movie. It even has a surprise ending that, even though you see it happen in the beginning of the movie, you don't realize it until the climax! The various characters' lives intersect several times in the course of the film, without knowing who everyone is nor what impact they have on each other, but their thoughts and actions have a tremendous effect on one another. The movie is powerful also because of the performances, which are really good. A somewhat surreal movie that will leave you pondering!
Kitchen Stories (DVD)Some tales are just strange. Some are  strange but very entertaining. This one is strange, very entertaining and exceedingly funny in a quiet charming way.
The story begins with a group of Swedish researchers (are they working for IKEA?), on a special mission: They are sent to the cold and frozen wilderness of Norway to observe the daily habits of middle-aged Norwegian bachelors. They are trying to re-design kitchens for such characters, and their observations will facilitate more user-friendly remodellings. It's the 1950s, and a Swedish efficiency expert under strict orders not to interact with his subject is sent to improve a Norwegian farmer's culinary efforts. But the sly old farmer much prefers to amuse himself by impeding the timid researcher's work! Soon, in the struggle between neutral observation and the need for human interaction, the kitchen becomes a battleground! Also, in this Norwegian/Swedish movie, one of the Swedish researchers strikes up an unlikely friendship with a cranky Norwegian farmer. It is hard to imagine that happening in real life, but if you are willing to take that tiny leap of faith, this movie is great fun :) It is a "quirky, thoughtful and bittersweet" (Boxoffice) little comedy, quiet in its form, that has captured audiences' hearts around the world. Both "warm" (Newsday) and witty, Kitchen Stories is "a deadpan, thoroughly delightful comedy that cooks up tasty laughs" (New York Post)!
|
Search the Internet:Search Scandinavianbooks: |
|---|---|---|
Meet Scandinavia |
www.ScandinavianBooks.com |
© 2007 ScandinavianBooks.com |
, 
, and 
but learn he will not live long without an expensive operation they cannot afford. Bobbie-Pop is a faded singer who tries to commit suicide. Leon is an institutionalized mental patient, who hopes to keep a 10-year-old date on his birthday with his teenage sweetheart. Leon's brother, Trygve, gets a weekend leave from prison to be with Leon on his birthday, but plans on using the furlough to escape. Overseeing Leon and protecting him is his guardian angel Vidar, Leon's best buddy at the institution, who sees things no one else can see, and who may be able to save everyone - except himself.
, 
.