Local heroes to Stavanger filmfestival
Blodfan - Vi er et Dynasti. Photo: Thomas Bechmann
The Stavanger Film Festival is receiving strong contributions from local filmmakers. Audiences can look forward to the short film Jellyfish, and a long-awaited reunion with the Norwegian cult classic Dynasti (often referred to as Norway’s answer to The Room), which will be screened in connection with the brand-new documentary Blodfan – We Are a Dynasty, exploring the story behind the infamous film.
“It’s impressive to see how vibrant the film community in Stavanger is. We are incredibly happy that local filmmakers want to help shape the Stavanger Film Festival already in its very first year, and I’m really looking forward to presenting their films to a home audience,” says festival and program director Tonje Hardersen.
The poetic short film Jellyfish, directed by Frida Feline Nilsen, will be screened at the opening of the Stavanger Film Festival on Thursday evening, March 12, where it will be shown ahead of the festival’s opening film, Agnes Against the World.
“Jellyfish has been a dream project, but by no means an easy one to realize. Having our film shown at the new film festival in Stavanger makes me incredibly proud. The film is produced with 100% local talent, and that’s why it means so much to us to screen it locally,” says director Frida Feline Nilsen.
Jellyfish
After several years of disputes with NAV and illness, director Frida Feline Nilsen has drawn on her own experiences in this poetic short film. Many will recognize the feeling of being reduced to a case file, and through an impressive visual and sound design, the film explores how one can become buried under paperwork, and the hope of eventually making it back up to the surface again.
Jellyfish. Photo: Mikkel Brekne Munkvold
New Documentary from Stavanger
On Friday, March 13, Thomas Bechmann’s new documentary Blodfan – We Are a Dynasty will be screened. The film focuses on the cult movie Dynasti. The Stavanger-made film from 2012 was heavily panned by the press at the time, but has since built up a large and loyal local fan base. Blodfan explores the making of the film and the significance it has had for the local film community.
“I was thrilled to learn that the Norwegian Film Festival Stavanger wanted to screen Blodfan – We Are a Dynasty, especially since the documentary is about a feature film from Stavanger and serves as a tribute to everyone who supports the film community—such as those attending this festival. I’m really looking forward to seeing it with an audience, considering that I made it entirely on my own without any form of public funding, and I’m very proud to be part of the festival’s very first year in Stavanger,” says director Thomas Bechmann.
The Stavanger Film Festival will of course also offer audiences the chance to see the main subject itself, Dynasti, on the big screen the same day. Back in 2012, the film’s director Christer Aase and lead actor Berat Haxhiu teamed up with a group of friends, bringing impressive determination and enthusiasm to create “the toughest Norwegian action film ever.” The Friday evening concludes with a special Ice Cold night at Blåveis! Blåveis will also serve as the festival’s official festival pub.
Blodfan – We Are a Dynasty
The documentary Blodfan – We Are a Dynasty examines what many consider Norway’s foremost cult film: Dynasti (2012). Thomas Bechmann, who had a role in the film, picks up the camera to shed light on what happened. Through interviews with both the filmmakers behind the project and dedicated fans, a picture emerges of how the film achieved its wildly eccentric and unique status. The story is spiced with humorous anecdotes and exaggerated—yet affectionate—analyses of key scenes, all delivered with a twinkle in the eye that underscores the film’s distinctive place in Norwegian film history. The result is not only a documentary about a single film, but a warm tribute to creative joy and engagement. It highlights those who dream of creating something of their own, regardless of medium.
about the festival
archive
contact
