The award winning drama “Reprise” is one of the most talked about Norwegian films in years, and has finally made its way to the U.S. and Houston.
The freewheeling passion of youth and the unpredictable perils of fate are both the subject and the breathtaking form of Joachim Trier’s directorial debut, which travels a lean and kinetic journey through friendship, love, madness and creativity which the New York Times calls "the brightest sign of life in some time in Norwegian cinema".
“Reprise” was a part of the official selection of MoMA's New Directors/New Films and the Sundance Film Festival and has won a number of awards, at festivals such as the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival. It opened in New York and Los Angeles in May, followed by a national rollout.
Trier viscerally captures the way life takes off at rocket-speed in the beginning of adulthood via a dazzling mix of flashbacks, rapid-fire editing, philosophical voiceovers and comical flights of fancy. The story kicks off just as Phillip and Erik, two cocky rebels full of 20 year-old verve and dreams, ship off their first novels to publishers, both hoping to become a wildly influential “cult author.” Fast-forward six months. Phillip, whose novel garnered instant acclaim and turned him into a mini-celebrity, has had a terrifying breakdown. Erik, who never sold his novel, is still pecking away, determined to follow in the footsteps of his undying hero.
In its native Norway, the film won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the national film awards. “Reprise” has now been sold to over 25 countries, and has already been screened in England, Germany, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and several other countries. It's distributed in the U.S. by Miramax.
When: From July 4 to July 17, 2008.
Where: Angelika Film Center in Houston.
Info: See the links to the right for details on screening times and venues.