Kitchen Stories is a 2003 Norwegian film by Bent Hamer

Bent Hamer

Bent Hamer is a film director, writer and producer, born in Sandefjord, Norway in 1956.-Biography:Hamer studied film theory and literature at the University of Stockholm and the Stockholm Film School. In addition to his feature films, he has written and directed a number of short films and...

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Plot

Swedish efficiency researchers come to Norway for a study of Norwegian men, to optimize their use of their kitchen. Folke Nilsson (Tomas Norström) is assigned to study the habits of Isak Bjørvik (Joachim Calmeyer). By the rules of the research institute, Folke has to sit on an umpire's chair in Isak's kitchen and observe him from there, but never talk to him. Isak stops using his kitchen and observes Folke through a hole in the ceiling instead. However, the two lonely men slowly overcome the initial post-war Norwegian-Swede distrust and become friends.

Inspiration

Bent Hamer was amused after perusing post-war

Post-war

A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...

 research books on the efficiency of the Swedish housewife, and pondered on the idea of research being done on men. This led to him making the film Kitchen Stories.

Cast

• Joachim Calmeyer as Isak Bjørvik
• Tomas Norström as Folke Nilsson
• Bjørn Floberg
  Bjørn Floberg
  Bjørn Floberg is a Norwegian actor of film, television, and theatre. He is particularly noted for playing unsympathetic authority figures, but he has also had success playing other types of roles.- Theatre :...
  
   as Grant
• Reine Brynolfsson
  Reine Brynolfsson
  Reine Claes-Göran Brynolfsson is a Swedish actor.-Selected filmography:*The Serpent's Way *In the Shadow of the Raven *The White Viking *Svart Lucia *House of Angels...
  
   as Malmberg
• Sverre Anker Ousdal
  Sverre Anker Ousdal
  Sverre Anker Ousdal is a Norwegian actor born in Flekkefjord, Norway.-Biography:Ousdal made his debut in 1965 at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen...
  
   as Dr. Jack Zac. Benjaminsen
• Leif Andrée
  Leif Andrée
  Leif Allan Andrée is a Swedish actor.Andrée has been engaged at Teater Galeasen, Riksteatern, Chinateatern, Stockholm City Theatre and Unga Riks.-Films:*Kvinnorna på taket...
  
   as Dr. Ljungberg
• Gard B. Eidsvold ground crew
• Lennart Jähkel
  Lennart Jähkel
  Lennart Jähkel is a Swedish actor. He is currently active at the Stockholm City Theatre, where he participated in several plays.-Films:*1991 - Infödingen*1992 - Nordexpressen*1992 - Ha ett underbart liv...
  
   as Green
• Trond Brænne as spokesman
• Bjørn Jenseg as caretaker
• Jan Gunnar Røise
  Jan Gunnar Røise
  Jan Gunnar Røise is a Norwegian actor.He was born in Eidsvoll, and took his education at the Norwegian National Academy of Theatre. He made his stage debut in 2000 at the National Theatre, and has been employed there since. Film appearances include Hawaii, Oslo and Gymnaslærer Pedersen...
  
   as assistant caretaker
• Karin Lunden as female corporate assistant

Awards

• Best Film, Amanda Award, Norway 2003
• Best Director, Copenhagen International Film Festival
  Copenhagen International Film Festival
  Copenhagen International Film Festival is a film festival held in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was first held in 2003, and is held annually. The main award at the Copenhagen International Film Festival is the Golden Swan, which will be awarded for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best...
  
   2003
• Best Director, São Paulo International Film Festival
  São Paulo International Film Festival
  The São Paulo International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in São Paulo, Brazil since 1976. In 2004 Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was a member of the jury.-International Jury Award:*2001: The New Country ...
  
   2003
• FIPRESCI Prize, Tromsø International Film Festival
  Tromsø International Film Festival
  The Tromsø International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Tromsø, Norway.The inaugural Tromsø International Film Festival was held in 1991, and today TIFF is the largest film festival in Norway as considered by attendance figures; in 2010 there were 58 267 admissions. In 2006 TIFF...
  
  2003