Slaying personal demons in the wilderness - "Zero Kelvin" [1995 Norway, Sweden]

Norwegians (and Scandinavians) are unique indeed - shaped by their rugged land and climate, they'd learned to thrive in places many would only consider 'extreme'. But it is also apparent that they're equally curious and contemplative about everything under the sun. I was struck by this while reading a recent news article about a Norwegian prime-time TV programme, that telecast a fireplace with burning firewood for eight straight hours. Part of an even longer programme dedicated entirely to firewood, the show was a success, with twenty percent of the country tuning-in at some point to comment, if anything, on the way in which the wood was stacked (bark-side up, or down). Apart from establishing the fact that Norwegians clearly have something cultural going on in relation to firewood, it shows that television doesn't necessarily have to be sensational in order to entertain. It also proves that Norwegians have a unique connection with trees, nature, and the outdoors...

Hans Petter Moland takes us outdoor too - this time, to the frozen Arctic wilderness, and throws his two squabbling protagonists inside a claustrophobic cabin, just to watch what happens. "Kjærlighetens Kjøtere" [Eng. Title: Zero Kelvin] is a psychological thriller-drama that pits diametrically opposite characters against each other, forcing them to survive by their wits in the middle of nowhere.

Set in the 1920's, young Oslo poet Larsen (Gard B. Eidsvold) joins a fur trading company and decides to spend a year in Greenland as a trapper. He'd hoped his fiancée Gertrude (Camilla Martens) would wait for his return, but she wastes no time in cancelling their engagement even before he sets sail. Larsen will live and work with supervisor and fellow-trapper Randbek (Stellan Skarsgård), and scientist Holm (Bjørn Sundquist) upon reaching Greenland. The foul-mouthed and ill-tempered Randbek, at first glance, comes across as the diametric opposite of Larsen - an easy-going and idealistic lad immersed in noble pursuits. Their personalities will inevitably clash, made more daunting by having to live alongside each other in a desolate cabin amidst the icy wilderness. Holm will leave them in disgust when their feud threatens to spiral out of control - deciding to take his chances with the bitter Arctic winter instead. With no one there to keep their tempers in check any more, Larsen and Randbek are now forced to watch their backs at all times in their tinderbox of a cabin. It's only a matter of time before it will become a battle for survival...

Larsen and Randbek - different as day and night, are but both sides of the same coin. There was a time when Randbek too had ideals and dreams - wanting to become a 'gentleman', like Larsen. Not any more. As bitter, spiteful, and cynical as Randbek might be these days, there'll still an element of truth in his rantings, hinting at a once ideal life that's completely turned sour. Larsen realises that, but is all the more determined not to turn into one himself. For that, he'll need to slay his own personal demons - whether it is about his ideas on morality, love, or forgiveness. This will be a coming-of-age that won't go unnoticed on Gertrude if she bumps into him the next time - and perhaps, may even elicit a different response if he proposed to her again.

Through this film, Moland has created a beautifully crafted allegorical gem in the pretext of a young idealist's Arctic adventure. The artful cinematography and direction portray a majestic landscape presiding philosophically over yet another age-old battle between good and evil, resident in every human. This is more than just an Arctic adventure - and like staring into burning firewood, a personal experience that is as much mystical as it is reflective. With a riveting performance from all the main cast, notably a superb Stellan Skarsgård, this is Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon DVD Link [PAL]

 

The Nudity: Camilla Martens, Stellan Skarsgård, Gard Eidsvold, and Bjørn Sundquist
There is a single nude scene from Camilla Martens while her character spends time with Larsen before he sets out on his journey. There is also nudity from Stellan Skarsgård, Gard Eidsvold, and Bjørn Sundquist in a scene where they try to rid themselves of lice.



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Scenes from "Reservedekk" BR1080 [2011 Norway]

Digressing slightly from full-length features, I'm kinda glad to have stumbled upon Kenny Wang's wacky short film, "Reservedekk" [Eng. title: Spare Tyres]. It is billed as a horror film, but is probably better seen as an irreverent comedy.

A guy driving through the country had to stop by the road after a tyre lands a flat. It was apparently caused by a psychopath who'd laid a spike strip to snare drivers with number plates that are not local, approaching them later as a passing mechanic and offering to help fix their car. Before he turns up, our hero opens the boot to reveal a tied-up girl in place of the spare tyre. We'll learn soon enough that they're actually a couple, a maniacal one at that too, playing out one of their twisted fantasies. The psychopath will realise rather belatedly that the couple he tried to ensnare are psychopaths themselves. Oh well - all's well that ends well, at least for the couple, I guess..!

The twenty minute film is experimental, original, cool, and also strangely sexy in places. The cinematography is actually pretty good with some awesome comic-strip style camera angles, even if the editing at times appear to have been rushed through. The special effects too are a work in progress. But I liked the crazy idea for the film anyway, and its groovy soundtrack. The actors don't take themselves seriously and even the director casts himself as the 'hero'.  Watch the film if you can - you could do a lot worse with twenty minutes of your life.




Compilation:
Despite the fact that it is more funny rather than scary, I cut out several gory bits, leaving you to enjoy the cute and sexy girl almost unhindered. ;)





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Jannike Kruse in "En Ganske Snill Mann" [2010 Norway BR720]

I've only recently started to explore the work of award winning Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland. His simple yet beautiful film, "En Ganske Snill Mann" [Eng. Title: A Somewhat Gentle Man] is an exceptionally well written and directed work. It's great to see Scandinavian films retain their tradition of understated elegance despite a recent upsurge in action-oriented stuff from this part of the world.

This is a heart-warming drama of a middle-aged ex-convict trying what he could to settle into society after serving twelve years for murder. While the plot is not exactly new, the treatment, particularly the screenplay and characterisation is quite unique. You don't have idealised characters here - these are way too common people, not particularly attractive either, which enable us to pay closer attention to their humanity. High in irony, awkward moments, and dry humour, the film doesn't aim to say anything particularly deep apart from telling a story with heart and purpose. Special mention has to be made to Stellan Skarsgård who plays the protagonist Ulrik - a classy performance from a fine actor. This is a film you will never regret watching. Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Scene: Jannike Kruse
In the only nude scene in the film, Ulrike is invited for dinner and later to bed by Merete, a colleague from work. Merete is played by Jannike Kruse.





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Julia Schacht in "Naboer" [Norway, Sweden, Denmark 2005]

My first post from a Norwegian film had to be something unusual. And different this certainly is - Pål Sletaune's psychological thriller "Naboer" [Eng. Title: Next Door] chooses the well trodden subject of psychological trauma, but shows this from a totally unique perspective.

John hasn't yet fully come to terms with the end of his relationship with Ingrid, his girlfriend of many years, and who left him for another guy. One day when he returns from work, Anne, a neighbour, asks him for help in moving some things around in her flat. Anne also introduces him to her sister, Kim. Anne later begs John to babysit Kim while she goes on some errands, and he agrees. What happens next is both shocking and disturbingly erotic. And things only get worse later on, which I'm not even going to mention here, as that would give away too much of the plot. The sisters are depicted as young and sexually available, but also creepy, bordering on insane - for a reason we will realise as the film progresses.

The film moves swiftly, and not for a moment will one find it dragging - Sletaune will have us transfixed to what's happening on the screen throughout, and the acting in particular by the protagonist is riveting. But I think for the kind of story and screenplay, the depiction of the scenes should have been bolder, which would have been the case had it been a Spanish or Italian film. Even so, this is a very good film, and therefore, Recommended Viewing.




Julia Schacht, as Kim:
I've restricted this compilation to just one scene even if there are a couple of more instances of nudity. But the scene below is intact without edits so one can see the build-up to what happens here. This was compiled from my DVD.



Scene Guide:
Kim crudely seduces John by first asking him to sit in front of her with her legs spread. She asks him if men get turned on by a woman who'd just had sex. When he answers in the negative, she disagrees, and goes on to narrate an episode where three men have sex with her simultaneously, while mimicking their actions. She later admits that didn't happen, and it was just something she read somewhere. They start kissing, but all of a sudden Kim slaps and lands a punch on John's face. She repeats these actions, and after failing to restrain her, John punches back, and they go back to what they were doing. But the blows keep coming in between their lovemaking, which get bloodier and vicious by the minute. This is one freaky scene, and download at your discretion. Whoever said, "Love hurts"..!



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