16/02/2010

Welcomed at its press screening to roars of laughter, Berlinale competition entry A Somewhat Gentle Man [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Hans Petter Moland
film profile] is a Norwegian Fargo sewn by director Hans Petter Moland’s expert hands from a solid canvas imagined by Denmark’s Kim Fupz Aakeson and exhibited with brio by some of Scandinavian’s finest actors, led by Stellan Skarsgård, the Swedish star of the filmmaker’s previous films, Zero Kelvin (1995) and Aberdeen (2000).

The film’s poster, a close-up of Skarsgårds’ gloomy yet gentle expression, is a good hint of the enigmatic character of Ulrik, the “gentle” man of the black comedy. Not only did his company prove highly entertaining, the obvious pleasure from the entire cast and crew involved in the project was palpable throughout the film, made “without financial pressure” and “with no banker sitting in the room,” as Skarsgård stressed during the press conference.

Ulrik is released from prison after serving 12 years for killing his wife's lover. His “boss” Jensen finds him a place to stay and a job as a car mechanic – and all he asks in return is that Ulrik kill the snitch who ratted him out.

Ulrik settles in well and tries to re-establish contact with his son, now a grown man with a promising future and a pregnant wife. Initially, everything seems to be working out great for Ulrik, who simply wants to give a helping hand and service cars…and women. When his life suddenly collapses, however, he is tempted to go back to his lawless life yet nevertheless finds a way to “eliminate’” once for all his troubled past for a fresh start.

“It’s hard to be a human being surrounded by all that nasty shit,” said a joking Moland at the press conference. “There are people in our society not treated too well and not in the prime of their life any more. All they try to do – like all of us – is to age with dignity.”

Ulrik’s tribulations are told in an amusing way throughout the movie and the scenes between him and his ladies hit some memorable comical peaks. Skarsgård’s performance of a lifetime makes him a likely contender for a Golden Bear, but it would not be so deep or colourful without the joyful gallery of other characters, all played to perfection by some of Norway’s top actors (Bjørn Floberg, Gard Eidsvold, Jannike Kruse and Jorunn Kjellsby, to name a few).

The entire film is shot in blue and white tones by North [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rune Denstad Langlo
film profile] DoP Philip Øgaard, who opts for a brighter light only at the very end, to stress the start of a happier new life for Ulrik.

The film was produced by Stein B. Kvae and Finn Gjerdrum for Paradox Film and world sales are handled by TrustNordisk. A Somewhat Gentle Man will be released domestically on March 19.