‘The Golden Swan’ Director on Bringing to Screen Her Brother’s ‘Journey From Hate to Reconciliation’ Before Murder by Terrorists

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Anette Ostrø’s first full-length movie, titled “The Golden Swan,” came about only after a wait of almost three decades, during which she honed her craft as a director of documentaries for TV.

The movie initially presented at IDFA narrates the account of Ostrø’s brother Hans Christian, a Norwegian actor who was kidnapped and killed by a terrorist organization during a visit to India in 1995. Currently undergoing final edits, this documentary was one of five films displayed this week as part of Norway’s exhibition at Visions du Réel’s professional program. EbMaster had an opportunity to interview Ostrø and her producer Beathe Hofseth during the festival held in Nyon, Switzerland.

In July 1995, Hans Christian and five other travelers, originating from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, were taken captive in Kashmir. This kidnapping became a global news sensation. After five weeks, Hans Christian’s decapitated body was found. One hostage managed to escape. Regrettably, the four remaining individuals were never located.

Combining photos, home videos taken by loved ones, broadcast news clips and personal sound recordings of the hostages, “The Golden Swan” also incorporates footage of Hans Christian during a dance class in Kerala, prior to his journey across India that eventually led him to Kashmir.

At the core of this movie is the narrative woven from his writings – letters, journals, and poems, many of which were discovered on him. Similarly, the hostages penned their messages on bark leaves with charcoal and concealed them beneath rocks and within trees, hoping they would be found someday.

Ostrø shared that during his time in Kerala and when he was imprisoned in the mountains, we exchanged letters. Even after his capture, I continued writing to him. The movie begins with a dream where I imagine him returning alive – it’s a conversation between me and him. To bring my brother’s voice to life, an actor was hired to read out his letters and poems.

Through his writings, Ostrø discovered that her brother had attempted to escape at least three times and even resorted to a hunger strike. To portray his inner experiences, she employed a technique she referred to as “artistic visualization”: “I used film to depict my brother’s narrative by capturing nature in India and Norway, manipulating light, shadows, water, and abstract elements that can be felt more than seen. I incorporated double exposure, overlapping images to represent his fears, his feelings.

The film charts an inner journey that the director feels is profoundly relevant today.

Rather than succumbing to bitterness, fury, and accusations – as he was indeed filled with anger, having been stripped of his liberty and constantly facing the specter of death – he opted for peace instead. Through his poetry, I witnessed his transformation from hate to reconciliation. He came to terms with his destiny and even attempted to empathize with his captors, seeking to comprehend their motivations.

The motivation behind creating this movie is a desire for unity over hostility. In today’s world, we often rush to judge others negatively. However, it’s crucial that we engage in conversation. I don’t mean forgiveness, but rather a reconciliation that enables us to recognize our common humanity.

In the spring of 2024, Ostrø and Hofseth (“Fly High, Soar High”) traveled to the Visions du Réel festival with the aim of securing the remaining funding needed and finding a distribution partner. Their documentary is slated for release sometime between late 2025 and early 2026.

The Golden Swan” is being created by Hofseth and Siri Natvik from Fri Film, with Helle Faber of Made in Copenhagen, renowned for the Sundance film “Mr Nobody Against Putin” and Hot Docs winner “The Mountains”, taking on a co-producing role. Additionally, Olivia van Leuven of 100% and Erika Malmgren of Cinenic Film are also serving as co-producers.

The movie receives financial backing from various institutions including the Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish film institutes, Viken Filmsenter, the Netherlands Film Fund, the Fritt Ord Foundation, Arts Council Norway, Oslo Filmfond, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Bergesenstiftelsen, NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), and EOdocs.

Among the other titles featured in the Norwegian showcase are “Strangers & Stayers” by Julia Dahr, Julie Lunde Lillesaeter, and Hannah Jayanti, “The Universe Is My Selfie” by Amir Ajdinovic, “Hope Has a Name” by Maria Galliani Dyrvik, and “Witchcraft” by Maja Holand.

These films demonstrate the ongoing prowess of Norway’s documentary industry, building upon recent global triumphs such as “No Other Land,” an Oscar winner co-produced by Antipode Films from Norway, Benjamin Ree’s Sundance award-winner “The Extraordinary Life of Ibeli,” and this year’s opening film at CPH:DOX, “Facing War,” directed by Tom Gulliksen.

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2025-04-11 12:16