As a cinephile who cherishes unique voices and perspectives in cinema, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Norwegian feature “Also a Life” by Anders Emblem. Having worked extensively with individuals from various care homes, Emblem brings an authenticity and sensitivity to his work that is truly captivating. His ability to weave together moving, humorous, and thought-provoking narratives is nothing short of impressive.
Anders Emblem, an emerging Norwegian filmmaker whose movie “A Human Position” was screened at Tromsø, Rotterdam, and San Sebastian festivals in 2022 and secured a worldwide deal with Mubi, has joined forces once more with budding actress Amalie Ibsen Jensen for his next production titled “Also a Life.”
The upcoming Norwegian production, slated for presentation at the Nordic Co-Production Market on August 21 in Haugesund, Norway, is being spearheaded by Elisa Fernanda Pirir (Stær Film), a producer known for working with esteemed international directors such as Luis Alejandro Yero (“Calls from Moscow”), Laura Mora (“The Kings of the World”), Nabil Ayouch (“Everybody Loves Touda”), and Ernst de Geer (“The Hypnosis”).
The Norwegian film producer of Guatemalan origin recalled discovering Emblem’s work when his second film, “A Human Position,” which was praised by ‘The Guardian’ reviewer Peter Bradshaw as an “elegant, beautifully-framed drama featuring Murakami-like cat appearances,” premiered at the Tromsø International Film Festival in 2022.
Pirir expressed: “I was utterly captivated by this fresh, invigorating Nordic sound; ‘A Human Position’ was not only touching, amusing, but also skillfully crafted. Ever since then, Anders and I have formed a strong bond of friendship. We share a common passion for cinema and cats!”
Svend Jensen, a prominent figure in the Norwegian art house distribution scene, is equally captivated by Emblem’s past works. He has already purchased “Also a Life” before its release, which is a significant endorsement coming from Cannes-winning picture collector who rarely invests in newcomers.
“Jensen shared that he has been tracking Anders’ film career since his debut in 2018 with ‘Hurry Slowly’, premiered at Naomi Kawase’s Nara Film Festival in Japan. He finds Anders to be an exceptional director, known for a unique style and language in cinema. Although Anders’ films move slowly, they are packed with intensity and compassion towards the characters portrayed. His second feature, ‘A Human Position’, continued the theme of ordinary people grappling with everyday issues, but elevated it to poetic heights. Jensen eagerly anticipates seeing how Anders will bring the powerful narrative of ‘Also a Life’ to life,” he said.
Located at a facility for children and adolescents with intellectual impairments, the hybrid movie chronicles the day-to-day activities and relationships between social workers and the youths they care for. However, when one of the residents announces she is pregnant and intends to raise the baby, head therapist Eivor (Amalie Ibsen Jensen) must face challenging choices.
A person, who spent almost a decade caring for others across multiple care facilities, expressed his long-standing interest in the seemingly hidden, yet parallel world – a realm teeming with laughter and joy, yet also sorrow, illness, and individuals facing challenging circumstances.
“Every aspect of it lends itself wonderfully to cinema, from the unique visuals of its setting, the distinct ways people communicate and act, the quirky humor, and the soundscape. The inspiration behind this film was undoubtedly to portray this world as I experienced and remembered it, offering viewers a glimpse into its depths and enabling them to form their own opinions.”
Emblem aims to subtly challenge societal discomforts, yet he intends to leave significant queries unanswered for viewers’ contemplation. These include pondering what it signifies to be human in the present day and who has the right to exist as one.
To date, his research primarily involves speaking with staff from care homes and related government entities, aiming to grasp the standard procedures they follow during exceptional circumstances. Additionally, he includes social workers, family members such as parents and siblings in his interviews, given that this project predominantly portrays their viewpoints.
In a style reminiscent of documentaries, Emblem plans to predominantly feature real children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, as they are the ones whose voices need to be heard to truly grasp their experiences and cater to their needs. Ibsen Jensen will take on the lead role, as she excels at portraying characters laden with burdens and delicately revealing hidden depths within them, according to Emblem.
At the Haugesund Nordic Co-production Market, the chosen producer for Cannes Producer-on-the-Move 2023, Pirir, will be seeking funding partners and potential co-producers. The aim is to begin filming the project in 2025.
Among her upcoming projects are:
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2024-08-19 18:47