HIFF 2016: Focus on Norwegian Cinema

The history of Scandinavian cinema is as deep and diverse as the landscape itself, from the classic dramas of Ingmar Bergman to the modernism of Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg and Liv Ullmann. Over our decades-long history, HIFF has proudly shown soon-to-be classics such as RAMS, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, MELANCHOLIA, and THE WAVE, and this year we are thrilled to highlight Norway in particular with our Focus on Norwegian Cinema.

We are proud to present the North American Premieres of Aasne Vaa Greibrokk’s dramatic and romantic play-within-a-movie ALL THE BEAUTY, screening in our World Cinema section; LATE SUMMER, a psychological thriller in our Narrative Competition section; and IT’S ALRIGHT, a poignant film screening in a dynamic shorts program. Rounding out the focus is MAGNUS, a documentary feature that chronicles the “Mozart of Chess,” who became World Chess Champion at 22.

Special thanks to the Norwegian Consulate General and the Norwegian Film Institute for partnering with us on this special sidebar.


 

all-the-beauty-650ALL THE BEAUTY

Director: Aasne Vaa Greibrokk
North American Premiere, Narrative Feature
Ten years after their breakup, Sarah agrees to visit bestselling author David at his cabin on the Norwegian coast and help with his latest opus, a raw and graphic play exploring their years as a couple. Though Sarah is now married to another man, old feelings linger and spark. Sarah and David’s is a love story for the ages—full of passion, discontent, sensual pleasure and regret. Screening in World Cinema Narrative.

late-summer-650LATE SUMMER

Director: Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken
North American Premiere, Narrative Feature
In this seductive psychological thriller, a solitary woman’s world is turned upside down
when a vacationing Norwegian couple welcome themselves into her home in the French
countryside, slowly invading her peace. Who are the foreigners? Why do they seem to not
want to leave any time soon? Screening in HIFF Narrative Competition.

magnus-650MAGNUS

Director: Benjamin Ree
Documentary Feature
By the young age of 22, Magnus Carlsen became known as the “Mozart of Chess,” the youngest grandmaster to hold the title. With unprecedented access to home videos and archival footage, filmmaker Benjamin Ree captures a tender and loving family dynamic that surrounds Magnus as he fights to become a chess champion. Screening in World Cinema Documentary.

its-alright-650IT’S ALRIGHT

Director: Nina Knag
North American Premiere, Narrative Short
When a young single mother finds herself out of money and on the verge of a breakdown, her five-year-old daughter makes a very adult decision.
Screening in the Shorts Program RUNS IN THE FAMILY.