O' Horten (2007)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Bent Hamer

Writer:

Bent Hamer (writer)

Release Date:

26 December 2007 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Sauna | Train | Ski Jumping | Sleep Over | Whiskey

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Baard Owe	...	Odd Horten (as Bård Owe)
Espen Skjønberg	...	Trygve Sissener
Ghita Nørby	...	Fru Thøgersen
Henny Moan	...	Svea
Bjørn Floberg	...	Flo
Kai Remlow	...	Steiner Sissener (as Kai Remlov)
Per Jansen	...	Lokfører
Bjarte Hjelmeland	...	Konduktør
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tone Stern Bergersen	...	Jente i svømmebasseng
Peter Bredal	...	Brevmann
Einar Breian	...	Flyveleder
Dag Brekke	...	Skliende forretningsmann
Bård Brinchmann	...	Toller
Andreas Cappelen	...	Cateringpersonell
Kjell Ove Carlsen	...	Ground service luggage
Øyvind Dahle	...	Sivilpoliti
Øyvind Dvergsdal	...	Lokomotivfører
Gard B. Eidsvold	...	Stinesen
Nils Gaup	...	Same
Anton Lohne Hamer	...	Nordahls storebror
Peder Anders Lohne Hamer	...	Nordahl
Jørn Hansen	...	Arrestert kokk
Elin Hamnes Holm	...	Ground service
Trond Hultgren	...	Stamgjest på Valkyrien
Lina Jagels	...	Jente i svømmebasseng
Bjørn Jenseg	...	Valkyrijen kelner
Kari Loland	...	Vera Horten
Nils Petter Mørland	...	Lokomotivfører
Kjell Arvid Odden	...	Sivilpoliti
Tor Øines	...	Ground service security
Lars Øyno	...	Connery
Claus Plapp	...	Cateringpersonell
Lasse Ramstad	...	Nordahls far
Morten Rudå	...	Röhmer
Anette Sagen	...	Ung Vera Horten
Paal Schøyen	...	Mann i badstu
Kristine Rui Slettebakken	...	Nordahls mor
Thorolv Stangnes	...	Valkyrienpar
Elisabeth Stavenes	...	Valkyrienpar
Fredrik Steen	...	Ground service luggage
Ronald Stiansen	...	Flyveleder
Karl Sundby	...	Kjell
Trond-Viggo Torgersen	...	Opsahl
Terje Alsvik Walløe	...	Man på pissoar
Lena Wermelin	...	Gate service

Also Known As:

Nouvelle vie de Monsieur Horten, La (France)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Norway | Germany | France

Language:

Norwegian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-3

Company:

Bulbul Films

Trivia:

Norway's official submission to the foreign language Oscar.

You have to be odd to like this movie

Waited a long time for this one. Ever since Water Easy Reached - which stood out in blur of movies from TIFF 98, and the poignantly thoughtful and revealing (about Swed/Norwegian angst) Kitchen Stories. So did expectation get the best of me?

The more I thought about this, the more I like the film. Yes it has it's own pace, but everything is so well thought out. No emotional manipulations, but there are plenty of emotions in the storyline. Great opening shots for the credits, and an amazing score that seems to tell you the mood for the story, plenty of time to digest the dialogue versus the choice of actions by each of the characters.

The story revolves around Odd, a retiring train engineer, the choices he made, makes and will be making and the people he meets along the way. Kind of rebirth, resolution of regrets kind of story. Doesn' sound very controversial or exciting against any other contending films ... even for an audience award. And it is not. But I really admire ... shall we say ... the integrity behind and of this film's character and intent ??? This movie has a soul and you can feel it. Maybe it is saying nothing is too late, reflection is a good thing, being alone physically is not a bad thing when your mind is active and gentle and flexible.

Some scenes/shots reminds me of Aki Murismaki's Drifting Clouds.

Bent was there for the Q&A to explain a few things, like he did for Kitchen Stories. And you see that he is passionate, has lots to say, and stays true to the story, and the character, without being overtly dramatic. I wonder why Bent is the way he is - telling stories in the style and tone that he does; incorporating everyday touches and observatrions from his home country. And probably this film tells you why.