Finally I got the Norwegian Ninja DVD and it went into my player that same evening.
Well I'd like to put up a review of the film, but it's not so easy ;P
I have the impression that the film is most enjoyable for Norwegians who know the whole story of Arne Treholt and the other incidents that are portrayed in the movie, like the oil rig disaster (I think?).
To me the whole introduction was a bit long, I think the first real bit of dialogue came on after 10 minutes or so... and the use of "documentation-style" somehow wasn't my cup of tea. There were also things I downright didn't "get", maybe the subtitles were inaccurate or I'm just too stupid...
(spoilers ahead:)
For example, why does Otto hide in a swarm of fish and then fire a bunch of missiles at his own location? And how did the cameraman die and what was the significance of the apprentice leaving his post at the bomb in this...?
Anyway, I don't want to sound overly critical, just pointing out that the film wasn't an "easy watch" for me. Still it was enjoyable and it looked pretty good most of the time, I especially liked the parts on the island. The animal scenes were great (how did you do those btw?) as were the paraglider and submarine sequences.
Story-wise, I really loved the film's topic of enlightment and the phenomenon of becoming enlightened through paradoxes. This stuff was implemented very well in the writing and visually, so being some kind of Zen-guy myself, I really enjoyed that quite a lot :D
I also think the obvious model work and UV light "computer displays" were brilliantly done, but from my own experience with Snowblind, I know this doesnt work for everyone... especially DUMB people have probably already slammed you for "cheap-looking effects" hehhe ^_^
So while I'm at comparing stuff, I have to say (before this all comes out entirely wrong) that NN has very good production value and is of course much better looking and sounding than Snowblind, and is also much more of a "real movie". I'm just trying to express my experience with NN as a normal dvd-watching average joe ;D
All in all definitely tumbs-up for Norwegian Ninja, as I hinted for my taste the emphasis could have been more on "Ninja" than "Norwegian political history", but then again the whole film would probably be pointless and have never gotten made ^_^
I'm really looking forward to your next endeavour and will try to help, and again I can only urge all Wreckers to buy the Norwegian Ninja DVD at play.com (see below) so they hopefully order another shipment soon :D
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Aaah alright I get the part about the feeling of guilt in the apprentice. Actually, now that you explained this, I think I just became enlightened ;D
So you're probably right, I should give the film a second viewing! And then I'll watch the animal shots even more closely, the first time round, I thought they were really seemlessly integrated and all shot in one location =)
The only question you did not really answer is the one about your next project ;P
Thanks for that thorough review Kalle Max!
All critical points you raise are quite fine. We've had reviews ranging from the very bottom to the very top, and are acutely aware that the film is not a 100% mindblowing experience for all audiences :)
The film indeed has both a slow build-up and I agree that you'll get even more out of it with some added Norwegian context.
(SPOILERS BELOW)
Nice to see that you picked up on the Zen. Commander Treholt of course appropriated this into his teachings, including making some local twists to well known Koan.
To answer your question about animal scenes - a lot of them were done in one location, a nature park with huge spaces for the animals to move around in, and in co-operation with the animal keepers we shot inside the fences in the environments of the animals. The ninja in the wolf scenes (and some other shots) was one of these keepers. Awesome guy, btw. The penguins were filmed in a different, aquatic park in Bergen (the reverse shots elsewhere), and we also brought some of the "easier" animals like sheep and rabbits to the camp location. The trick was of course to plan this out, and make sure the natural environments matched somewhat.
About the other plot questions, your interpretetations are as good as mine, but here are some theories:
a) Otto knows how to target missiles, so he was never in danger
b) the cameraman was killed by a huge chain, loosened by the explosion (there's a shot of this, but it's quite short)
c) two things: Treholt would have caught Otto in time to stop the bomb if not the apprentice had intervened AND Treholt needed to have his apprentice feel immense guilt, so he would accept his final mission much easier. It was all part of the plan - or at the very least - the situation gave the commander an opportunity to further manipulate his apprentice.
Have you tried a second viewing, btw? We put references and gags into the movie that you most likely won't discover until you see it multiple times, and can steer your attention beyond the plot and action in the foreground. There are many visual and auditive "echoes" going on, costume details, special props etc.
Anyway, this is getting long.
Thanks again for your thoughts after seeing the movie!
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