El Documental del mes - COOL AND CRAZY - el Documental del mes

Facing the ferocious Barent Sea – practically with an uninterrupted view to the North Pole – lies the small fishing village of Berlevåg. This is the place made world famous by Isak Dinesen as the setting for her noveletta “Babette’s Feast”. Now Berlevåg is making a second bid for international fame – through the 30-odd members of its very exotic and colourful male choir!

With “Cool and Crazy” one of Norway’s most experienced and renowned feature film directors is bringing to the screen a world he knows and loves. And he does it in the spirit of the people he portrays, with irreverence and wit. And full emotional impact.

For some this will be a film about men. For others it will be about love. Or politics. Or fish. Above all it is about the dignity of ordinary lives lived under extreme circumstances. For those that loved “Buena Vista Social Club” – this is the answer.

Director Knut Erik Jensen

was born in Honningsvåg, in the far north of Norway. After studying French, Russian and history, he attended the London International Film School.

In 1978, he joined the staff of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK Television), and has since made documentaries and short films for NRK as well as independently.

His features Stella Polaris, Burnt by Frost and Passing Darkness, all critically acclaimed and awarded at several festivals.

Director’s statements

It was during a late autumn day in Berlevåg on the shoot of the feature film Passing Darkness, a cold northwester swept snow horizontally through the streets of the small town. I was on my way to a concert at the community center - I was going to hear the Berlevåg Male Choir. From the very first note I was carried away. Here, at the very edge of the world, a motley group of grown men stood singing - gravely, powerfully and passionately. Furrowed faces which had withstood turbulent seas and ice-cold winds, has basked in the midnight sun and wondered at the awesome stillness of the ocean, softened through this encounter with music and poetry. Through the choir these men has sought refuge from the daily grind into a world of ballads, hymns and full blown marches - into The Song of Berlevåg.

> Best documentary and best film – Amanda Awards, Norway, 2001.
> Best documentary – Internacional Cinema Festival of Chicago, 2001.
> Best norwegian film of the year – Internacional Norwegian Film Festival, 2001.
> Special mention – Internacional Movie Festival of Tromsø, 2001.