15/03/2007

This year seems well on the way to following last year’s record admissions for Norwegian films, with five films currently in the top ten: three children’s films, which continue to be the backbone of the market share of domestic films, as well as Mirush, a drama by the talented Marius Holst (Dragonflies), and the romantic comedy Mars & Venus by Eva Dahr.

Topping last weekend’s chart is Svein and the Rat and the UFO Mystery [+see also:
trailer
film profile], the second film based a popular children’s book series, directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Vibeke Ringen. The Maipo Film production, distributed by Nordisk Film, garnered almost 30,000 admissions in three days.

In at second with a record 156,000 admissions after only two weeks is the CGI animated film Elias and the Royal Yacht by first-time director Espen Fyksen. Veteran producer John M. Jacobsen produced it for Filmkamerateneand SF Norge is handling distribution.

In fourth position is The Junior Olsen Gang: The Secret of the Silvermine, the new title in the successful children’s franchise, directed once again by Arne Lindtner Næss for Nordisk Film. With 234,000 admissions in six weeks, the film is now the biggest grossing release of 2007, followed by Elias.

Mirush is stable in sixth place with an overall 26,218 admissions. The film stars Italian actor Enrico Lo Verso (Farinelli) and Serbian actress Mirjana Karanovich (Grbavica) and tells the story of 15 year-old Mirush who lives under difficult circumstances in Kosovo and sets out on a journey to Norway in search of his father, whom he idolizes but can barely remember. Produced by 4½ Production, it is being distributed domestically and internationally by Nordisk Film.

In at number eight is Dahr’s second feature, Mars & Venus, which after one month has clocked up 107,357 admissions.

Three local films have therefore already passed the 100,000 admissions mark since early February. Eight did so in 2006, out of a total 21 Norwegian titles released, largely contributing to the 1.9m admissions and 16.5% market share, up 4.3% on 2005.