North is the story of a 30 year old man that says enough is enough. Suffering from anxiety, he's a visibly distraught fellow; appearing lethargic and care-free. After hearing unwanted news from his doctor, a heated discussion with a past friend, and an entirely preventable fire that most likely ruins his livelihood…he takes matters into his own hands, and takes off, heading North to where his hope waits.

The theme here isn't hidden, it's smack right in your face. When you feel like life is giving you a difficult time, and that you're the only one going through such misfortunes, you're not. There are people out there who have it difficult as well, but they continue, even with their unwavering conditions, to persevere and go on. Noticing and appreciating life, and accepting what life gives you, and everything that it has to offer is what North is all about.

At it's exterior, beautiful Norwegian arctic conditions play the backdrop here, which are blanketed by a folk-travel inspired soundtrack that gives you warmth as you watch our lead trek through the cold. And when including the feeling of isolation that comes with the amazing landscape, you're given even more satisfaction than just what the story itself has to offer. Our leading actor, a heavy built and emotional lumberjack of a man, leads and shares the film with a few side-characters, and all deliver their performances as well as you'd hope. Some making you question their behavior, and some where you almost immediately come to sympathize for.

To me, as I mentioned above, Nord was about appreciating life. And with that said, I'm not entirely sure if this movie is for everyone, as some people may just not relate to the deeper aspects here. Some people also just aren't empathetic cinematically, especially with such simple approaches. But if you do appreciate a simple story that mixes charm, beauty and many chances to ponder, you should come out of the film as happy as I did.

This film got highly praised at the Berlin festival before it's cinema release in Norway, winning two of the main prizes. It also became a huge hit at the festival, with tickets going on the black market.

Well, the film isn't a blockbuster. It's a nice, though tragic, but warm story about 30 year old Jomar, not particularly successful in his life. Actually his life stinks, and he has problems. And he knows it. Lying to his shrink, living unhealthy, and not caring about anything. In fact so uncaring, that he finds himself burning down the ski center where he works, almost forcing him to look somewhere else for the meaning of his life.

So Jomar goes off on a 900 kilometers trip up North to find what is supposed to be his four year old son, of which he didn't know about, before slapping his best friend who'd run off with his girlfriend some time ago.

On this trip he meets all kinds of lonely people, all having some kinds of wisdom to offer. And Jomar? Does he change their lives? Maybe he does...

This story by Norwegian master-writer Erlend Loe, gives a great feeling of both great winter-nature, and human understanding. It'll be seen upon as exotic by most foreigners, and the film has some scenes you'll never forget.

This film is another example of how great Norwegian storytelling on film has become. Great acting, also from the amateurs. No fake Hollywood stuff here. Pure Nordic realistic storytelling with a hint of humor. If you liked the films of Bent Hamer and Coen-brothers, you also like this.

The only thing dragging down is the film being too short. We'd actually like Jomars trip to be longer. And that's a sign of a great road move. Or rather, a great off-road movie, since the film is more going on off-road, than on road. I still think I'll put it in the genre of road-movies.

Another spot on Norwegian film! What a gem!

NORTH is a wonderfully droll, delightfully surprising, unexpectedly funny and offbeat road movie from Norway of all places. Jomar has been traumatized by recent events from his past and has sunk into a quagmire of apathy and indifference. But one day he gets out of bed determined to change his life. He heads out across country to visit his child, travelling some 900 miles by snowmobile and, when that breaks down, skis. Along the way he is literally burning his past behind him. The people he meets along the way also help him reassess his life and move on. Making his debut feature, Rune Denstad Langlo's direction is suitably low key and he delivers a droll and visually stunning movie that finds humanity in the loneliness of the long distance traveller. There is a winning performance from Anders Baasmo Christiansen, and the largely non-professional supporting cast adds to the film's eccentric nature. Philip Ogaard's rich widescreen cinematography captures the superb wintry, snow-covered landscapes, and Ola Kvernberg's beautiful score adds to the film's immense pleasures. A real winner!