'Pressure' and Itonje Søimer Guttormsen’s 'Butterfly' with Renate Reinsve were also awarded “The Rivals of Amziah King,” “Butterfly” and “Pressure” walked away with prizes at the 54th Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund. The Matthew McConaughey starrer was awarded the Ray of Sunshine Award, given to the film that “excites and spreads the most joy” – much needed as the ceremony took place amid news of Norwegian King Harald’s deteriorating health. The jurors praised the film for its “humor and warmth.” “It’s poetic and beautiful, but also a wild ride.
There were times when it shocked us, times when it made us want to get up and dance, and times when it made us want to call our loved ones. The film is a reminder that life is fragile and that we have limited time with the people closest to us,” they said in a statement. They also gave a special mention to the “inspired editing, which brings an extra spark of life to the film.” Itonje Søimer Guttormsen’s “Butterfly” with Renate Reinsve picked up the Norwegian Critics’ Award for being “both immensely entertaining and deeply moving.” “With striking visual flair, it explores a powerful sense of place and landscape, as well as the complexities of human relationships.
The performances are equally compelling, allowing each actor to reveal the full breadth of their range,” said the jurors. In her interview with Variety, Reinsve said she enjoyed being on set that felt like “a mix between a fictional movie and a documentary.” Mostly because of the non-professional actors who had a real connection to the places where they filmed. It’s so unconventional and I really admire that.
Hopefully, I’ll keep on working and learning from directors with different tastes and different ways of making movies.” The Audience Award went to World War II drama “Pressure.” Directed by Anthony Maras, it follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower as he plans the Normandy landings. However, he must listen to Group Captain James Stagg, a meteorologist, before making his move.
Brendan Fraser and Adrew Scott play the leads. Watching the weather forecast will never be the same after seeing this film.” On the industry side, “Grandmonster” won the Best Pitch Award for tackling the universal subject of aging – and adding a “generous dose of cheeky humor, horror, and, apparently, zombies with dentures,” said jurors Annick Mahnert, Soňa Morgenthalová, Iris Cadoux and Kalle Løchen. The project – selected for the Nordic Co-Production Market – sees an American dropout who tries to save her grandmother from dementia and accidentally triggers a zombie outbreak at a Norwegian nursing home.
It will be directed by Vegard Dahle and produced by Jon Vatne for Syden Pictures. They made us laugh, they moved us and, most importantly, they convinced us that silliness and horror can travel remarkably well across borders. We left the pitch confident that this team has the energy, the humor, and the creative spark to bring that same spirit to the film.” Finnish project “Elektra,” directed by Elisa Kujala and produced by Dionysos Films, Ea Johanne Sandberg and Alpha Nord’s “Anathema” and “Groupies” by Clara Vida also earned recognition.
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