Bent Hamer’s films are known for their deadpan humour but nothing funny – nor sad, nor plausible – happens in this film about a man whose job is to break the news to those whose relations have been killed
Bent Hamer is a Norwegian film-maker who began his career with quirky absurdist movies in the 00s such as Kitchen Stories and O’Horten, and also his rather tougher film Factotum from 2005 – a fictionalised study of Charles Bukowski starring Matt Dillon. Perhaps Hamer’s career benefited a good deal from international festival juries having a soft spot for his kind of goofy deadpan humour, but I was never entirely sure exactly how funny or meaningful his creations ultimately were. However, his film-making had a certain rigour and poise.
The same, sadly, can’t be said for his new film, set in some featureless anytown in North America, in which a bland young guy...
Bent Hamer is a Norwegian film-maker who began his career with quirky absurdist movies in the 00s such as Kitchen Stories and O’Horten, and also his rather tougher film Factotum from 2005 – a fictionalised study of Charles Bukowski starring Matt Dillon. Perhaps Hamer’s career benefited a good deal from international festival juries having a soft spot for his kind of goofy deadpan humour, but I was never entirely sure exactly how funny or meaningful his creations ultimately were. However, his film-making had a certain rigour and poise.
The same, sadly, can’t be said for his new film, set in some featureless anytown in North America, in which a bland young guy...
- 3/7/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Norway's official Oscar entrant "1001 Grams," set for an early 2015 release. Trailer below. The film is written, produced and directed by Bent Hamer, who helmed 2008's Norwegian "O'Horten" and 2005 English-language Bukowski interpretation "Factotum." "1001 Grams" is an offbeat comedy centered on a divorced lab technician (Ane Dahl Torp) who journeys to a scientific conference in Paris, where she finds a whole new world of experience. Foreign language Oscar voters are faced with a record-setting 83 titles this year. Through December 15, volunteer members from all branches' highest vote-getters will fill six slots after which an executive committee hand-picked by Mark Johnson will pick three, creating a Foreign Language shortlist of nine films total before narrowing it down to the final five to be voted on by the entire Academy. "1001 Grams" won't hit theaters until next year,...
- 11/6/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Nathaniel's adventures in Toronto. Day whichever.
Three more quick takes on Norway's Oscar submission, a Lgbt romance of sorts in the Dominican Republic and a surprisingly intense film from Germany that I hadn't heard of before arriving.
Bent Hamer directs Ane Dahl Trop in the Norwegian Oscar submission "1001 Grams"
1001 Grams
How much does a soul weigh? I don’t mean to bring up painful memories of 21 Grams, but everything in 1001 Grams must be effortfully measured. Lab technician Marie is just such a meticulous woman, in charge of the official Norwegian kilo, which is to be weighed and calibrated in Paris at an annual seminar to ensure that all countries kilos are the same or else: chaos! Though the oddity of this international standards milieu suggests a comedy, what we get is stonefaced drama... or possibly comedy so dry, I needed a humidifier in the room to get it. Bent Hamer,...
Three more quick takes on Norway's Oscar submission, a Lgbt romance of sorts in the Dominican Republic and a surprisingly intense film from Germany that I hadn't heard of before arriving.
Bent Hamer directs Ane Dahl Trop in the Norwegian Oscar submission "1001 Grams"
1001 Grams
How much does a soul weigh? I don’t mean to bring up painful memories of 21 Grams, but everything in 1001 Grams must be effortfully measured. Lab technician Marie is just such a meticulous woman, in charge of the official Norwegian kilo, which is to be weighed and calibrated in Paris at an annual seminar to ensure that all countries kilos are the same or else: chaos! Though the oddity of this international standards milieu suggests a comedy, what we get is stonefaced drama... or possibly comedy so dry, I needed a humidifier in the room to get it. Bent Hamer,...
- 9/11/2014
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
After a couple of years’ absence publicist/ producer, Richard Lormand is returning to Toronto with a satchel full of films. Check these out because when he chooses films, he chooses them well.
"Phoenix"
Christian Petzold
Disfigured Holocaust survivor Nina, now unrecognizable after facial reconstruction, returns to find out if her husband really loves her or actually betrayed her...
Starring "Barbara" leads Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld. Romance and reconstruction in post World War II Germany from the critically
acclaimed director of "Barbara" (Berlinale 2012 Best Director) and "Yella" (Berlinale 2007 Best Actress – Nina Hoss)
Present: Christian Petzold (director), Nina Hoss (actress), Florian Koerner von Gustorf (producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Fri 5 – 18:00 (Public 1 – Elgin/Visa Screening Room)
Sat 6 – 11:30 (Public 2 – Elgin/Visa Screening Room)
Sat 6 – 12:30 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 2)
Tue 9 - 14:00 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 14)
Fri 12 - 14:15 (Press/Industry 3 - Scotiabank 7
"Itsi Bitsi"
Ole Christian Madsen
In the soul-searching psychedelic 60s, a rebellious young man desperately tries to win a beautiful woman’s love by transforming from poet to writer, nomad to junkie and eventually rock star...
The new film by Ole Christian Madsen, acclaimed director of "Superclásico," "Flame and Citron" and "Prague."
Present: Ole Christian Madsen (director), Joachim Fjelstrup (actor), Marie Tourell Søderberg (actress), Lars Lars Bredo Rahbek (producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Sat 6 – 8:30 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 9)
Sat 6 – 17:15 (Public 1 – Scotiabank 4)
Sun 7 – 9:30 (Public 2 – Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
Tue 9 - 17:30 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 7)
Fri 12 – 17:00 (Public 3 – Isabel Bader)
"1001 Grams"
Bent Hamer
Urbane urbanite Marie is a thirty-something scientist whose life is rigorously controlled. When she attends a seminar in Paris on the actual weight of a kilo, it is her own measurement of disappointment, grief and, not least, love, that ends up on the scale. As she explores her new possibilities, everything seems to unfurl magically, beautiful.
Featuring Ane Dahl Torp (Pioneer, Cold Lunch) in a charmingly offbeat comedy from Norwegian master Bent Hamer ("Kitchen Stories," "O'Horten"). A co-production: Norway (BulBul), France (Slot Machine), Germany (Pandora)
Present: Bent Hamer (director), Ane Dahl Torp (actress), Marianne Slot (producer)
World Sales: Les Films du Losangne
Fri 5 – 14:00 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 3)
Sun 7 – 19:15 (Public 1 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1)
Tue 9 - 9:30 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 4)
Tue 9 – 14:45 (Public 2 – Scotiabank 2)
Sun 14 – 19:00 (Public 3 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1)
"Tigers"
Danis Tanovic
Devastated when he discovers the effects of the infant formula he’s peddling, a young salesman takes on a multinational corporation, in this based-on-fact drama from Academy Award-winning director Danis Tanovic ("No Man's Land").
Featuring Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi ("Once Upon a Time in Mumbai"). A co-production: India (Cinemorphic Pvt Ltd & Sikhya Entertainment), France (Asap Films)
Present: Danis Tanovic (director), Emraan Hashmi (actor), Geetanjali (actress), Khalid Abdalla (actor), Prashita Chaudhary (producer), Guneet Monga (producer), Cédomir Kolar (producer), Andy Paterson (producer, co-writer), Achin Jain (executive producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Sun 7 – 14:00 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 10)
Mon 8 – 21:45 (Public 1 – Scotiabank 1)
Wed 10 - 21:15 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 7)
Wed 10 – 21:30 (Public 2 – Scotiabank 3)
Sat 13 – 17:00 (Public 3 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1
"Natural Resistance"
Jonathan Nossiter
Four Italian winegrowers of a rapidly spreading European natural wine revolution have encountered fierce resistance. Not everyone believes in their struggle for an ecologically progressive, economically just and historically rich expression of Italian
agriculture…
10 years after "Mondovino" world acclaimed director Jonathan Nossiter offers a model of charmed and joyous ecological and cinematic resistance against the new world economic order.
Present: Jonathan Nossiter (director)
Sat 6 – 11:15 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 7),
Mon 8 – 19:00 (Public 1 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 3)
Tue 9 – 19:00 (Public 2 – Jackman Hall)
Thu 11 – 17:45 (Public 3 – Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)...
"Phoenix"
Christian Petzold
Disfigured Holocaust survivor Nina, now unrecognizable after facial reconstruction, returns to find out if her husband really loves her or actually betrayed her...
Starring "Barbara" leads Nina Hoss and Ronald Zehrfeld. Romance and reconstruction in post World War II Germany from the critically
acclaimed director of "Barbara" (Berlinale 2012 Best Director) and "Yella" (Berlinale 2007 Best Actress – Nina Hoss)
Present: Christian Petzold (director), Nina Hoss (actress), Florian Koerner von Gustorf (producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Fri 5 – 18:00 (Public 1 – Elgin/Visa Screening Room)
Sat 6 – 11:30 (Public 2 – Elgin/Visa Screening Room)
Sat 6 – 12:30 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 2)
Tue 9 - 14:00 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 14)
Fri 12 - 14:15 (Press/Industry 3 - Scotiabank 7
"Itsi Bitsi"
Ole Christian Madsen
In the soul-searching psychedelic 60s, a rebellious young man desperately tries to win a beautiful woman’s love by transforming from poet to writer, nomad to junkie and eventually rock star...
The new film by Ole Christian Madsen, acclaimed director of "Superclásico," "Flame and Citron" and "Prague."
Present: Ole Christian Madsen (director), Joachim Fjelstrup (actor), Marie Tourell Søderberg (actress), Lars Lars Bredo Rahbek (producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Sat 6 – 8:30 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 9)
Sat 6 – 17:15 (Public 1 – Scotiabank 4)
Sun 7 – 9:30 (Public 2 – Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)
Tue 9 - 17:30 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 7)
Fri 12 – 17:00 (Public 3 – Isabel Bader)
"1001 Grams"
Bent Hamer
Urbane urbanite Marie is a thirty-something scientist whose life is rigorously controlled. When she attends a seminar in Paris on the actual weight of a kilo, it is her own measurement of disappointment, grief and, not least, love, that ends up on the scale. As she explores her new possibilities, everything seems to unfurl magically, beautiful.
Featuring Ane Dahl Torp (Pioneer, Cold Lunch) in a charmingly offbeat comedy from Norwegian master Bent Hamer ("Kitchen Stories," "O'Horten"). A co-production: Norway (BulBul), France (Slot Machine), Germany (Pandora)
Present: Bent Hamer (director), Ane Dahl Torp (actress), Marianne Slot (producer)
World Sales: Les Films du Losangne
Fri 5 – 14:00 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 3)
Sun 7 – 19:15 (Public 1 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1)
Tue 9 - 9:30 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 4)
Tue 9 – 14:45 (Public 2 – Scotiabank 2)
Sun 14 – 19:00 (Public 3 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1)
"Tigers"
Danis Tanovic
Devastated when he discovers the effects of the infant formula he’s peddling, a young salesman takes on a multinational corporation, in this based-on-fact drama from Academy Award-winning director Danis Tanovic ("No Man's Land").
Featuring Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi ("Once Upon a Time in Mumbai"). A co-production: India (Cinemorphic Pvt Ltd & Sikhya Entertainment), France (Asap Films)
Present: Danis Tanovic (director), Emraan Hashmi (actor), Geetanjali (actress), Khalid Abdalla (actor), Prashita Chaudhary (producer), Guneet Monga (producer), Cédomir Kolar (producer), Andy Paterson (producer, co-writer), Achin Jain (executive producer)
World Sales: The Match Factory
Sun 7 – 14:00 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 10)
Mon 8 – 21:45 (Public 1 – Scotiabank 1)
Wed 10 - 21:15 (Press/Industry 2 - Scotiabank 7)
Wed 10 – 21:30 (Public 2 – Scotiabank 3)
Sat 13 – 17:00 (Public 3 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 1
"Natural Resistance"
Jonathan Nossiter
Four Italian winegrowers of a rapidly spreading European natural wine revolution have encountered fierce resistance. Not everyone believes in their struggle for an ecologically progressive, economically just and historically rich expression of Italian
agriculture…
10 years after "Mondovino" world acclaimed director Jonathan Nossiter offers a model of charmed and joyous ecological and cinematic resistance against the new world economic order.
Present: Jonathan Nossiter (director)
Sat 6 – 11:15 (Press/Industry 1 – Scotiabank 7),
Mon 8 – 19:00 (Public 1 – Tiff Bell Lightbox 3)
Tue 9 – 19:00 (Public 2 – Jackman Hall)
Thu 11 – 17:45 (Public 3 – Bloor Hot Docs Cinema)...
- 9/1/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Rachel Weisz in The Whistleblower The Toronto International Film Festival has added even more films to their line-up today as the complete line-up was announced, which ended up causing the festival's server to crash, but I was lucky enough to get in and get out before missing out on the information.
First off, the festival's Mavericks line-up is quite interesting, which includes a series of guest presentations and this year will see Edward Norton interview Bruce Springsteen, NBA All-Star and native Canadian Steve Nash will present his hour-long film Into the Wind, Apichatpong Weerasethakul will talk with the audience as his Cannes Palm d'Or-winning film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall his Past Lives was just added to the Masters programme, Ken Loach and Paul Laverty will be interviewed by Michael Moore on politics and cinema and Philip Seymour Hoffman will have his own panel. Also on hand will be Bill Gates,...
First off, the festival's Mavericks line-up is quite interesting, which includes a series of guest presentations and this year will see Edward Norton interview Bruce Springsteen, NBA All-Star and native Canadian Steve Nash will present his hour-long film Into the Wind, Apichatpong Weerasethakul will talk with the audience as his Cannes Palm d'Or-winning film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall his Past Lives was just added to the Masters programme, Ken Loach and Paul Laverty will be interviewed by Michael Moore on politics and cinema and Philip Seymour Hoffman will have his own panel. Also on hand will be Bill Gates,...
- 8/24/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
With the holiday season nearly upon us King Olav of Norway - founder of the illustrious Royal Norwegian Ninja Force - would like to pass his greetings on to his loyal subjects.
Yes, the observant among you will recognize the King as Trond-Viggo Torgersen from Bent Hamer's O'Horten but that doesn't make his ninja force any less deadly.
The dialogue, for those who don't speak Norwegian, is simply "Dear countrymen, Happy Easter".
Yes, the observant among you will recognize the King as Trond-Viggo Torgersen from Bent Hamer's O'Horten but that doesn't make his ninja force any less deadly.
The dialogue, for those who don't speak Norwegian, is simply "Dear countrymen, Happy Easter".
- 3/26/2010
- Screen Anarchy
I first discovered Bent Hamer not with his Director's Fortnight 1995 film Eggs, but with a smallish offering called Kitchen Stories (03). I thought the tale about Norwegians studying the domestic habits of Swedes was the best thing since sliced bread. - I first discovered Bent Hamer not with his Director's Fortnight 1995 film Eggs, but with a smallish offering called Kitchen Stories (03). I thought the tale about Norwegians studying the domestic habits of Swedes was the best thing since sliced bread. For his next project he'll be taking on the holidays, normally I have an immense dislike for Xmas branded movies, but we can confidently say that this cup of eggnog will have a strong "Scandi" humor flavor. Those who've seen Factotum or O'Horten, know that Hamer has a distinct tone not unlike Sweden's Roy Andersson and Finland's Aki Kaurismäki. Home for Christmas is...
- 12/13/2009
- by Ioncinema.com Staff
- IONCINEMA.com
- You have to admire European film industry folks - they go to bat for their filmmakers. Further proof that European filmmakers do have it good, the Board of Management of the Council of Europe's Eurimages Fund agreed to support 13 feature films with some Euros and among the featured projects and filmmakers we have veterans Istvan Szabo (Being Julia), Nanni Moretti (Quiet Chaos) and Bent Hamer (O'Horten) receiving some coin for their latest. Danis Tanovic, who just preemed his film Triage at Tiff will receive once again multi-territory support for Cirkus Columbia, while A Town Called Panic pair Vincent Patar & Stéphane Aubier team for another animated project. Spanish director Iciar Bollain (see pic) is prepping her film Even the Rain - a biopic on Christopher Columbus with actors Luis Tosar and Belén Rueda. Here is the full list below of films to watch out for in late 2010, 2011 and beyond. Kai
- 9/30/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
DVD Playhouse—September 2009
By
Allen Gardner
The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.
State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend.
By
Allen Gardner
The Human Condition (Criterion) Masaki Kobayashi’s epic (574 minutes) adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-volume novel was originally made and released as three separate films (1959-61), and is rightfully regarded as a landmark of Japanese cinema. Candide-like story of naïve, good-hearted Kaiji (Japanese superstar Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp supervisor, to Imperial Army solider, to Soviet Pow, and Kaiji’s struggle to maintain his humanity throughout. Unfolds with the mastery of a great novel, beautifully-shot, and a stunning example of cinematic mastery on the part of its makers. Four-disc set bonuses include: Interview with Kobayashi; Interview with Nakadai; Featurette; Trailer; Essay by critic Philip Kemp. Widescreen. Dolby 3.0 surround.
State Of Play (Universal) Russell Crowe stars as a veteran Washington D.C. political reporter investigating the murder of an aide to a rising congressional star (Ben Affleck), who also happens to be an old friend.
- 9/26/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
O'Horten
directed by Bent Hamer
2007, 90 minutes, in Norwegian with English subtitles
Sony Pictures Classics The oddest quality about the 67-year-old Norwegian pipe puffer who grants this low-key absurdist comedy its title is his name: Odd Horten. Or perhaps, because this loyal railroad engineer of four decades is a creature not just of habit but of synched timetables, his dedication to his near-ceremonial morning preparation is the mark of an eccentric. Meticulously dressed, polite and reticent, the lanky Horten walks curiously through the wintry Nordic landscape with a stiff upper everything. He's the epitome of everyman dignity, though his ever-present pipe and ability to meander into frame as a curious, Magoo-ish observer draw easy comparisons to the accidental slapstick of Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot. In a wonderfully and precisely understated performance, Baard Owe (whose craggy, mustachioed, ovoidal mug also suggests a blood relation to the French actor Jean Rochefort) doesn't...
directed by Bent Hamer
2007, 90 minutes, in Norwegian with English subtitles
Sony Pictures Classics The oddest quality about the 67-year-old Norwegian pipe puffer who grants this low-key absurdist comedy its title is his name: Odd Horten. Or perhaps, because this loyal railroad engineer of four decades is a creature not just of habit but of synched timetables, his dedication to his near-ceremonial morning preparation is the mark of an eccentric. Meticulously dressed, polite and reticent, the lanky Horten walks curiously through the wintry Nordic landscape with a stiff upper everything. He's the epitome of everyman dignity, though his ever-present pipe and ability to meander into frame as a curious, Magoo-ish observer draw easy comparisons to the accidental slapstick of Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot. In a wonderfully and precisely understated performance, Baard Owe (whose craggy, mustachioed, ovoidal mug also suggests a blood relation to the French actor Jean Rochefort) doesn't...
- 9/23/2009
- GreenCine Daily
by Terry Keefe
Bent Hamer's O'Horten arrives on DVD today, complete with Interviews with Hamer and composer John Erik Kaada. Below is my talk with Hamer, who I had interviewed previously for his 2004 film Kitchen Stories. This article previously appeared in Venice Magazine.
(Actor Bard Owe in O'Horten, above, and director Bent Hamer, below.)
Norwegian director Bent Hamer has just come back from a walk around the beach in Venice and eagerly relates, “I just saw this house on the beach and it had a sign which said, ‘Hippies, please use kitchen entrance!’” Hamer then laughs, captivated by this little glimmer of absurdity he has discovered. The sign in question actually wouldn’t be out of place in a Bent Hamer film, which are known for mixing visual oddities of the everyday with characters and plots which keep the overall film grounded in reality, somewhat anyway. We last spoke...
Bent Hamer's O'Horten arrives on DVD today, complete with Interviews with Hamer and composer John Erik Kaada. Below is my talk with Hamer, who I had interviewed previously for his 2004 film Kitchen Stories. This article previously appeared in Venice Magazine.
(Actor Bard Owe in O'Horten, above, and director Bent Hamer, below.)
Norwegian director Bent Hamer has just come back from a walk around the beach in Venice and eagerly relates, “I just saw this house on the beach and it had a sign which said, ‘Hippies, please use kitchen entrance!’” Hamer then laughs, captivated by this little glimmer of absurdity he has discovered. The sign in question actually wouldn’t be out of place in a Bent Hamer film, which are known for mixing visual oddities of the everyday with characters and plots which keep the overall film grounded in reality, somewhat anyway. We last spoke...
- 9/22/2009
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Michael Moore's Traverse City Film Festival, which runs through Sunday in Traverse City, Michigan, is featuring a "Salute to Norway," consisting of four Norwegian films, including the festival opener, Erik Poppe's "Troubled Water" (De usynlige).
Other titles in the sidebar are Bent Hamer's "O'Horten", Tommy Wirkola's "Dead Snow" (Død snø) and Kajsa Næss' short, "Deconstruction Workers" (Bygningsarbeidere).
Other titles in the sidebar are Bent Hamer's "O'Horten", Tommy Wirkola's "Dead Snow" (Død snø) and Kajsa Næss' short, "Deconstruction Workers" (Bygningsarbeidere).
- 7/29/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cologne, Germany -- A not-so-happy holiday is the focus in the new project, "Home For Christmas" by award-winning Norwegian director Bent Hamer ("O'Horten").
Hamer has co-written the script, set in a tiny Norwegian town on Christmas Eve, with writer Levi Henriksen. Cologne-based Pandora Film, who produced "O'Horten," is on board, together with German European public broadcasters Zdf and Arte. The Nrw Film Board is backing the project with €400,000 ($560,000) in production subsidies. Hamer plans to shoot portions of the film in the Nrw region.
Also benefiting from Nrw's largesse is "Generation X" author Douglas Coupland, who has received backing to adapt his own novel "Eleanor Rigby" for the screen. The book tells the story of a lonely woman whose life is changed by an unexpected meeting with the son she gave up for adoption. Coupland is adapting his book for Cologne-based production house Tatfilm ("The Last King of Scotland").
Director Thomas Riedelsheimer,...
Hamer has co-written the script, set in a tiny Norwegian town on Christmas Eve, with writer Levi Henriksen. Cologne-based Pandora Film, who produced "O'Horten," is on board, together with German European public broadcasters Zdf and Arte. The Nrw Film Board is backing the project with €400,000 ($560,000) in production subsidies. Hamer plans to shoot portions of the film in the Nrw region.
Also benefiting from Nrw's largesse is "Generation X" author Douglas Coupland, who has received backing to adapt his own novel "Eleanor Rigby" for the screen. The book tells the story of a lonely woman whose life is changed by an unexpected meeting with the son she gave up for adoption. Coupland is adapting his book for Cologne-based production house Tatfilm ("The Last King of Scotland").
Director Thomas Riedelsheimer,...
- 6/29/2009
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
O' Horten
Starring Bard Owe
Directed by Bent Hamer
Rated PG-13
Some movies feel like they're meant to be experienced and others like they're only meant to be watched. Perhaps it's lost somewhere in the cultural translation, but the Norwegian film O' Horten keeps you at arm's length emotionally, so you never get much closer than a casual observer.
I don't personally believe it's a cultural thing; I'm usually a big admirer of films from Northern Europe. Instead, I'm of the opinion that O Horten is a character study that hasn't defined its character for us.
Odd Horten (yep, that's the name) is retiring after a life spent as a train engineer. He has kept patterns over the years that revolve around his schedule, and so he has made acquaintances is small Scandanivian communities that he visits one last time. Odd (Bard Owe) plans to sell his boat, wants to fly to Helsinki,...
Starring Bard Owe
Directed by Bent Hamer
Rated PG-13
Some movies feel like they're meant to be experienced and others like they're only meant to be watched. Perhaps it's lost somewhere in the cultural translation, but the Norwegian film O' Horten keeps you at arm's length emotionally, so you never get much closer than a casual observer.
I don't personally believe it's a cultural thing; I'm usually a big admirer of films from Northern Europe. Instead, I'm of the opinion that O Horten is a character study that hasn't defined its character for us.
Odd Horten (yep, that's the name) is retiring after a life spent as a train engineer. He has kept patterns over the years that revolve around his schedule, and so he has made acquaintances is small Scandanivian communities that he visits one last time. Odd (Bard Owe) plans to sell his boat, wants to fly to Helsinki,...
- 6/19/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
- After a crazy year where they brought six or seven titles to Cannes (including Tulpan, Waltz with Bashir) in various competition categories, this year The Match Factory bring only a pair of titles in Ajami and Kinatay. Nonetheless, they also bring along their batch of well-performing films from Berlin. They aren't a production company, but highly selective sales company that work with producer's from all over the world. And that is why I'm including them in this producer's patch series. Update: they just included Aktan Arym Kubat’s next feature The Light to their stable. Contact High by Michael Glawogger - Completed The Dust Of Time by Theo Angelopoulos - Completed Ajami by Scandar Copti - Completed Dorfpunks by Lars Jessen - Completed Germany 09 (Deutschland 09) by Fatih Akin - CompletedGIGANTE by Adrián Biniez - Completed Kinatay by Brillante Mendoza - Completed The Milk Of Sorrow by Claudia Llosa -
- 5/14/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
- The Italians apparently do it better. Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah and Paolo Sorrentino's Il Divo grabbed 5 nominations each with Toni Servillo getting nominated as best actor (see above) for his parts in both films. Two films that I thought were worthy contenders in several categories in Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Three Monkeys and Abdellatif Kechiche’s The Secret of the Grain were shut out while Steve McQueen’s Hunger got two noms but failed to grab a Best Film nom. Last year’s The Orphanage and Waltz With Bashir both receive four nominations. This year’s Palme d'Or winner walked away with noms for best film and best director. Other well represented films include Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky, Joe Wright's Atonement, Andreas Dresen's Cloud 9 and Eran Riklis' Lemon Tree. Winners will be announced on December 6th in Copenhagen. Here are the categories.: European
- 11/11/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
- So far, about one third (35 countries to be exact) of the 96 invited to submit their entry for the Academy Awards' Best Foreign Language Picture category have done so. While tomorrow's list will beef up the finally tally, there are three pictures that first caught everyone's attention at Cannes this year that are destined to make it to the final five. After last year's fiasco (the exclusion of Persepolis and 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days), I'm hoping that this year's measures (a new voting system broken into phases) will make sure that voting members don't mess up once again and If I'd had to handicap the race this early on, I'd say The Class, Gomorra and Waltz with Bashir -- all films that are currently being showcased at the 46th Nyff, will each be considered as top tier noms. I'd also love to see Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Three Monkeys in
- 9/30/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
This week's indie film focus is on Sony Pictures Classics' "O'Horten." Showing recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, "O'Horten" is helmed, produced and written by Bent Hamer, a talented Norwegian filmmaker blending in the comedy and drama genres. His English language notable comes in the form of the acclaimed "Factotum" starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor. Hamer won the Fipresci Prize at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival for his work on "Eggs"...
- 9/23/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This week's indie film focus is on Sony Pictures Classics' "O'Horten." Showing recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, "O'Horten" is helmed, produced and written by Bent Hamer, a talented Norwegian filmmaker blending in the comedy and drama genres. His English language notable comes in the form of the acclaimed "Factotum" starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor. Hamer won the Fipresci Prize at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival for his work on "Eggs"...
- 9/23/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This week's indie film focus is on Sony Pictures Classics' "O'Horten." Showing recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, "O'Horten" is helmed, produced and written by Bent Hamer, a talented Norwegian filmmaker blending in the comedy and drama genres. His English language notable comes in the form of the acclaimed "Factotum" starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor. Hamer won the Fipresci Prize at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival for his work on "Eggs" See new images added to the gallery. So what's this film about? The moment the train leaves the station without engineer Odd Horten (Bard Owe) aboard, he realizes that the path ahead is a journey without printed timetables and well-known stations. Horten has been forced to retire after 40 years of traveling a very stable rail, and the platform does not feel like a safe place anymore. His orderly, solitary existence is about to give way to a...
- 9/23/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This week's indie film focus is on Sony Pictures Classics' "O'Horten." Showing recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, "O'Horten" is helmed, produced and written by Bent Hamer, a talented Norwegian filmmaker blending in the comedy and drama genres. His English language notable comes in the form of the acclaimed "Factotum" starring Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor. Hamer won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival for his work on "Eggs"...
- 9/23/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
- A couple of days ago, IndieWIRE announced the unconfirmed report (as they do with many Spc deals) that Synecdoche, New York was indeed going to the specialized art-house distributor. Today, we have the confirmation that Sony Pictures Classics are adding some Oscar contender clout with the pick up of the Charlie Kaufman's seminal work, meta-structured narrative that borders on the dramatic, but has comedy-noir at the core. The unsold Cannes picture was one of the last remaining territories available for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. The purchase gives Spc a second opportunity to showcase the talents of Philip Seymour Hoffman. The actor took home the Academy award for Best Actor with Capote (originally a United Artists pic which eventually fell on the laps of Spc when Sony bought out MGM). With an October release slated, the most probable and logical scenario would be to use the New York Film Festival
- 7/24/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
TORONTO -- The Toronto International Film Festival made way for some Cannes heavyweights Thursday, unveiling Special Presentation slots for Laurent Cantet's Palme d'Or winner The Class and Matteo Garrone's Grand Prix winner Gomorrah among a group of about two dozen North American premieres.
Arnaud Desplechin's Un conte de Noel and Canadian helmer Atom Egoyan's Adoration -- both Cannes Competition titles -- also will get the red-carpet treatment in Toronto, alongside South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon's Out of Competition "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
Other Cannes entries making their Canadian splash include the Dardennes brothers' Lorna's Silence, best screenplay winner in Cannes; Jerzy Skolimowksi's Four Nights With Anna; Terence Davies' Of Time and the City; Jia Zhang-ke's 24 City; and Three Monkeys, which earned director Nuri Bilge Ceylan the best director trophy.
The quintet has been programmed as part of Toronto's Masters sidebar.
On the documentary side, films headed for Toronto include Blind Loves, from Slovakian director Juraj Lehotsky, Lisandro Alonso's Liverpool and Service, by Brillante Mendoza.
Cannes Competition titles from Brazil -- Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas' Linha de Passe and Pablo Trapero's Lion's Den -- headline a Contemporary World Cinema sidebar that includes Federico Veiroj's Acne, Bent Hamer's O'Horten, Amos Kollek's Restless and Gotz Spielmann's Revanche.
The Discovery program will feature Steve McQueen's Hunger, which earned the Camera d'Or in Cannes, U.S.
Arnaud Desplechin's Un conte de Noel and Canadian helmer Atom Egoyan's Adoration -- both Cannes Competition titles -- also will get the red-carpet treatment in Toronto, alongside South Korean filmmaker Kim Jee-woon's Out of Competition "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
Other Cannes entries making their Canadian splash include the Dardennes brothers' Lorna's Silence, best screenplay winner in Cannes; Jerzy Skolimowksi's Four Nights With Anna; Terence Davies' Of Time and the City; Jia Zhang-ke's 24 City; and Three Monkeys, which earned director Nuri Bilge Ceylan the best director trophy.
The quintet has been programmed as part of Toronto's Masters sidebar.
On the documentary side, films headed for Toronto include Blind Loves, from Slovakian director Juraj Lehotsky, Lisandro Alonso's Liverpool and Service, by Brillante Mendoza.
Cannes Competition titles from Brazil -- Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas' Linha de Passe and Pablo Trapero's Lion's Den -- headline a Contemporary World Cinema sidebar that includes Federico Veiroj's Acne, Bent Hamer's O'Horten, Amos Kollek's Restless and Gotz Spielmann's Revanche.
The Discovery program will feature Steve McQueen's Hunger, which earned the Camera d'Or in Cannes, U.S.
- 6/26/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- I’m guessing that with one third of the films representing first time efforts, this year’s Un Certain Regard section will be a crapshoot for buyers and critics alike. Those that stick out among the pack come from promising directors with sophomore features such as…: Milh Hadha Al-Bahr (Salt of this Sea) (Annemarie Jacir)We often see stories about the immigrant struggle in a country that is not theirs…this is the flipside Pov a former Palestinian finding it difficult to find her footing in her native land. Jacir’s debut looks like a sure bet for a healthy film festival circuit. Los Bastardos (Amat Esclante)Crossing the line for a pair of Mexican immigrants appears to take on a whole new meaning with Amat Esclante’s 2nd feature. His debut, Sangre belongs to the contemporary, art-house bunch of films that portrays a dismal life. Los Bastardos
- 5/14/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
- Here is the complete 2008 Cannes Line Up. Main Competition: Nuri Bilge Ceylan - Three Monkeys (Turkey-France-Italy) Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne - Le Silence De Lorna (France-Belgium)Arnaud Desplechin - A Christmas Story (France) Clint Eastwood - Changeling (Us)Atom Egoyan - Adoration (Canada) Ari Folman - Waltz With Bashir (Israel) Philippe Garrel - La Frontiere De L'Aube (France) Matteo Garrone - Gomorra (Italy)Charlie Kaufman - Synecdoche, New York (Us) Eric Khoo - My Magic (Singapore) Lucretia Martel - La Mujer Sin Cabeza (Argentina-Spain) Brillante Mendoza - Serbis (The Philippines) Kornel Mondruczo - Delta (Hungary-Germany) Walter Salles & Daniela Thomas - Linha de Passe (Brazil) Paolo Sorrentino - Il Divo (Italy) Pablo Trapero - Lion's Den (Argentina-South Korea) Wim Wenders - The Palermo Shooting (Germany) Jia Zhangke - 24 City (China)Steven Soderbergh - Che (Us-Spain-France) -- one four-hour competion title comprised of The Argentine and Guerrilla Out of competitionSteven Spielberg -
- 5/14/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
- Apart from film examples such as The Band's Visit, Munyurangabo (Liberation Day) and Terror's Advocate, last year’s Un Certain Regard Section had its share of misfires – films that took the experimental route but felt more like - old bath tub water. This year’s batch of twenty titles includes another mix of veteran and first time filmmakers with perhaps the James Toback's bio-docu on friend (Iron Mike) Tyson, Abel Ferrara’s latest work Chelsea On The Rocks and finally Bong Joon Ho, Leos Carax and Michel Gondry collab Tokyo! to garner the most attention from buyers and critic crowds. The five films I’m most looking forward to are Germany’s Wolke 9 by Andreas Dresen, Los Bastardos by Amat Escalante (he is the was the Dop for Carlos Reygadas’ first two films and a couple of years back he released another dismal portrait of Mexico with Sangre.
- 4/23/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
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