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Fantastic Fest 2014: ‘Blind’ is one of the most astonishing character studies in recent memory

Blindness is a difficult affliction to understand. By simply closing their eyes and walking around, people could easily comprehend the act of not being able to see, but they would probably be unable to grasp the loneliness and isolation that occurs when the world is permanently cast into darkness. With Blind, Eskil Vogt has provided viewers with a thorough exploration of a woman and the ailment that confines her to her apartment. His character study is immensely thoughtful, and it allows the viewer to immerse oneself in an unusual new world.

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EIFF 2014: ‘Letter to the King’ is a warm and compassionate ensemble piece

Kurdish-Norwegian director Hisham Zaman’s second feature is a well-observed ensemble piece, focusing on five refugees who are given the chance to visit Oslo for the day. They live comfortably in a nearby centre but their uncertain status restricts their freedom and makes them unable to move on with their lives. Each character’s individual story represents an attempt to make a clean break from their situation; they seek legitimacy and progress, in various forms, where it has otherwise been denied.

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EIFF 2013: ‘Before Snowfall’ follows its protagonist on a nuanced, multicultural journey

Hisham Zaman’s directorial debut opens with Siyar (Abdullah Taher), a 16-year-old boy from Kurdish Iraq, being wrapped from head to toe in cling film. He is preparing to submerge himself in an oil tanker in an attempt to illegally cross the border into Turkey, making for Istanbul where he believes his runaway sister, Nermin (Bahar Ozen), is hiding with her lover. She has escaped an arranged marriage, bringing dishonour to the family, and Siyar has accepted the responsibility of resolving the situation. He embarks on a dangerous journey, replete with perilous border crossings and unfamiliar environments, with the intention of killing Nermin and restoring his family to honour.

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Jo Nesbø’s ‘Jackpot’ has macabre comedic thrills, though flounders a bit in its finale

Jackpot Written for the screen and directed by Magnus Martens Norway, 2011 Following Headhunters, Jackpot is the second of an increasing list of Jo Nesbø adaptations for the big screen, and is similarly concerned with a hapless individual thrown into increasingly violent and absurd predicaments. Magnus Marten’s film’s greatest strength is its frequently funny blend …

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Inside Out 2012: ‘The Mountain’ is a spellbinding meditation about love and loss redeemed

The Mountain Written and Directed by Ole Giæver Norway, 2011 On the snow-covered precipice of a Norwegian mountain, Solveig (Ellen Dorrit Petersen) and Nora (Marte Magnusdotter Solem) are parlously exposed – not to the elements themselves, but to each other. Full of emotion, angst, and reticence, Ole Giæver’s The Mountain is a spellbinding meditation about …

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‘Headhunters’ not only merits a remake, it’s all but inevitable.

Headhunters  Directed by Morten Tyldum Written by Lars Gudmestad, Jo Nesbø, and Ulf Ryberg Norway, 2011 While American politicians abjectly deride the Scandinavians for being ‘pinko commies’, Hollywood has been taking notice of their considerable cinematic talent, finding every opportunity to import some of their best films for American remakes. David Fincher’s The Girl with …

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‘Oslo, August 31st’ is an effective character piece

Oslo, August 31st Written by Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt Directed by Joachim Trier Norway, 2011 Oslo, August 31st is the second feature length effort from director Joachim Trier, after 2006’s Reprise, and the second cinematic adaptation of the novel Le feu follet by author Pierre Drieu La Rochelle. Known in most English language territories …

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