Folktales
A heartwarming documentary following three teens on a journey of self-discovery at a remote folk school in Norway’s far north.
At Pasvik Folk High School in Norway, close to the Russian border and well north of the Arctic Circle, three 19-year-olds are taking part in a nine-month program to learn survival skills, bushcraft, dog sledding and, most importantly, how to understand themselves better. We meet Hege, who is dealing with a traumatic family incident; Bjørn Tore, a socially awkward extrovert; and Romain, a timid and unsure young man from the Netherlands. Navigating the chasm between adolescence and adulthood, the trio face their struggles with selfhood with a little help from encouraging instructors and a gorgeous group of Alaskan huskies.
Long-time collaborators Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp) return to youth-focused storytelling in their Sundance-premiering documentary, this time examining Generation Z and the uniquely European concept of folk high schools, which focus on character, identity and community. Backed by a Norwegian crew, the co-directors endured subzero temperatures and a dozen separate visits to capture their subjects. Woven with Norse mythology, stunning shots of the wilderness and clever cinematography tracking the dog sleds, Folktales is a gentle portrait of connection, discovery and transformation.
“One of Sundance’s most enjoyable docs ... lovely, absorbing, and patiently shot.” – IndieWire
The session on Friday, the 22nd, is Baby Friendly. This session will run a little differently from a standard session. To learn about what these changes are, you can check out MIFF’s Access page for more information on what this session will be like.Tickets
For information about the accessible services being offered at MIFF, please visit miff.com.au/access. If you require any access service, such as wheelchair/step-free access, for any MIFF session, please call 03 8660 4888 or email boxoffice@miff.com.au to book your ticket.
You might also like ...
Seeking to keep a centuries-old tradition alive, two friends battle extreme conditions as they herd 2000 horses through the icy Mongolian steppes.
Six young people from around the globe channel their dreams into a competition with a difference: a test of their elite mastery of Microsoft Excel.