Focus on Norway
Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World, The Drama; Norwegian cinema and her directors scored major hits with the general public in recent years. The short film scene proved to be fruitful as well: Kortfilmfestivalen Grimstad sent no fewer than two focus programmes to Leuven: a ‘Best of’ series and a compilation given the slightly misleading title ‘Worst Short Film in the World’. Kortfilmfestival Leuven also curated a compilation of memorable Norwegian comedy from previous festival editions. A ‘Country in Focus’ section is never complete without an ‘Artist in Focus’, and this year that honour goes to Kristoffer Borgli, who not only has the much-talked-about The Drama to his name, but also an above-average number of short films; rarely large-scale festival films, but all high-quality, low-budget and painfully funny.
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Facade - 3 Screen Video Installation
A triptych focusing on three different women, in three different places, yet all caught up in the same suffocating patterns. A sense of loss of control and self-worth drives them to the limit. During the festival, STUK’s courtyard will serve as the backdrop for this visual exploration of chaos, intergenerational trauma and destructive patterns.
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Worst Short Film in the World
Directors such as Joachim Trier, Dag Johan Haugerud and Eivind Landsvik certainly put Norwegian cinema on the map in recent years, resulting in awards in Cannes, Venice and Berlin. Certain traits from their films have also been appearing more frequently in Norwegian short films in recent years: an urban setting, a strong visual language, an exploration of human relationships and existential choices, powerful dialogue and a very recognisable dry humour. ‘Worst Short Film in the World’ brings together short films that would fit perfectly into the Renate Reinsve universe.
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Kortfilmfestivalen GrimstadBest of Kortfilmfestivalen, Grimstad
The Norwegian Short Film Festival Kortfilmfestivalen Grimstad sent its festival favourites from the last edition to Leuven, and the result is a mix of documentary, live-action fiction, animation and… poetry. Goddammit offers a brief introduction to Norwegian literature, while Ivar poses the painful question: is a change in smell reason enough to leave your husband?
Guests: Anita Svingen>> Buy tickets
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Kortfilmfestivalen GrimstadArtist in Focus: Kristoffer Borgli
The Drama gave Kristoffer Borgli instant film legend status last year, but even before films such as Dream Scenario and Sick of Myself, he spent years experimenting as a short-film maker. It was in the short-film genre that he found his own style, honed his comic timing and explored the boundaries of the uncanny. In L.A., he worked with a host of actors but also put his own acting skills to the test. Discover the learning curve Borgli went through before causing dozens of relationship crises with the question, ‘What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? ’.
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Norwegian Comedy
One of the most striking features of Norwegian cinema in recent years is undoubtedly the dry and, at times, absurd humour. From body humour – or horror – in Sick of Myself or The Ugly Stepsister to the uncomfortable atmosphere in The Drama or The Worst Person in the World. This compilation brings together a series of Norwegian films that all explore humour: sometimes in the form of social criticism, sometimes in the form of outrageous absurdism.
Guests: Maja Kjellstad Aanonsen Guests: Maja Kjellstad Aanonsen>> Buy tickets
