Kimen (The Seed) is a Norwegian film from 1974 directed by Erik Solbakken.[1] It starred Kjell Stormoen, Svein Sturla Hungnes, Ragnhild Michelsen, Helle Ottesen, Helge Jordal, and Ragnhild Hilt. The film was based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Tarjei Vesaas.[2]

Kimen
Directed byErik Solbakken
Written byErik Solbakken
Based onTarjei Vesaas's 1940 novel The Seed
StarringKjell Stormoen
Svein Sturla Hungnes
Ragnhild Michelsen
Helle Ottesen
Helge Jordal
CinematographyHans Nord
Edited byEdith Toreg
Music byKåre Kolberg
Distributed byNorsk Film
Release date
February 28, 1974
Running time
93 minutes
CountryNorway
LanguageNorwegian

Plot edit

Some people are living on a green island in the ocean to the west. In this simple and earthy environment, they live in harmony with each other. It seems to be a small community in balance. However, when a mentally unstable stranger comes to the island, this balance is suddenly destroyed. The stranger causes a young girl's death, and the death has a strong impact on the island community. Fear and mass hysteria affect the population.[2][3]

The drama in the film highlights themes such as crowd psychology and an individual's responsibility for collective misdeeds.

Reception edit

When it was released, the film received good reviews from Gunvor Gjessing at Aftenposten and Bjørn Granum at Arbeiderbladet. Among other things, Gjessing wrote that "The film's most striking feature is that has a clear plot that is easy to grasp. It ought to appeal to many because here there is quite a lot to think about: outbreaks of hidden destructive forces, mass hysteria, herd behavior, and individual responsibility." Among other things, Granum wrote that "We've got a promising new filmmaker in Norway. After several years of short films, Solbakken has come out in full bloom with his feature film debut."[4]

Kimen received a "die throw" of three from Dagbladet in 2003.[5]

Cast edit

References edit

  1. ^ Store norske leksikon: Erik Solbakken.
  2. ^ a b Nasjonalbiblioteket: Norsk filmografi: Kimen.
  3. ^ Schellinger, Paul. 1998. Encyclopedia of the Novel, vol. 2. London: Routledge, p. 1177.
  4. ^ Braaten, Lars Thomas et al. 1995. Filmen i Norge: norske kinofilmer gjennom 100 år. Oslo: Ad notam Gyldendal, p. 312.
  5. ^ Filmen. 2003. Dagbladet (June 1).
  6. ^ Store norske leksikon: Kjell Stormoen.
  7. ^ Store norske leksikon: Svein Sturla Hungnes.
  8. ^ Store norske leksikon: Helge Jordal.

External links edit