Qivitoq
Encyclopedia
Qivitoq is a 1956 Danish film directed by Erik Balling and starring Poul Reichhardt
and Astrid Villaume
. An intense romantic drama, the movie was filmed entirely on location in Greenland. It was nominated both for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
and for the Palme D'Or
at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival
.
), arrives in Greenland from Denmark to surprise her fiance, the Doctor Erik Halsøe, but is crushed to find he has not waited for her and he is about to be married to his assisting nurse. Eva travels to a small fishing village to await the next ship back to Denmark. There she enters into a tense and often confrontational relationship with Jens (Poul Reichhardt
), a quiet moody Dane who manages a trading company outpost. Meanwhile, Jens is trying to persuade a Greenlander named Pavia (Niels Platou) to become a company fisherman, despite Pavia's fear of alienating his fellow villagers and upsetting the spirit, Qivitoq. After Eva helps Jens treat a boy who has been attacked by dogs, Jens opens to her and realizes he loves her. Before he can tell her, he learns that Pavia in his new boat is in danger. Jens and Pavia's girlfriend, Naja (Dorthe Reimer), travel overland to rescue him, but Jens falls into an icy crevice and is rescued by Pavia instead. In this way, Pavia returns to a hero's welcome in the village. Jens hastens back only to discover he is too late, that the boat that Eva had been awaiting has already sailed. Dejected, Jens goes home and discovers Eva is there waiting for him.
Poul Reichhardt
Poul David Reichhardt was a Danish actor, well known for his roles in Danish 1940s/50s comedies. Later on, he also played more serious and varied roles; he has also starred in Huset på Christianshavn, Matador and as various minor characters in the Olsen Gang films.For almost thirty years...
and Astrid Villaume
Astrid Villaume
Astrid Villaume was a Danish actress of stage and film best known for her award-winning title role in the 1950 film Susanne.-Early life:...
. An intense romantic drama, the movie was filmed entirely on location in Greenland. It was nominated both for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
and for the Palme D'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival
1957 Cannes Film Festival
-Jury:*André Maurois *Jean Cocteau *Maurice Genevoix *Georges Huisman *Maurice Lehmann *Marcel Pagnol *Michael Powell *Jules Romains...
.
Plot
A young teacher, Eva Nygaard (Astrid VillaumeAstrid Villaume
Astrid Villaume was a Danish actress of stage and film best known for her award-winning title role in the 1950 film Susanne.-Early life:...
), arrives in Greenland from Denmark to surprise her fiance, the Doctor Erik Halsøe, but is crushed to find he has not waited for her and he is about to be married to his assisting nurse. Eva travels to a small fishing village to await the next ship back to Denmark. There she enters into a tense and often confrontational relationship with Jens (Poul Reichhardt
Poul Reichhardt
Poul David Reichhardt was a Danish actor, well known for his roles in Danish 1940s/50s comedies. Later on, he also played more serious and varied roles; he has also starred in Huset på Christianshavn, Matador and as various minor characters in the Olsen Gang films.For almost thirty years...
), a quiet moody Dane who manages a trading company outpost. Meanwhile, Jens is trying to persuade a Greenlander named Pavia (Niels Platou) to become a company fisherman, despite Pavia's fear of alienating his fellow villagers and upsetting the spirit, Qivitoq. After Eva helps Jens treat a boy who has been attacked by dogs, Jens opens to her and realizes he loves her. Before he can tell her, he learns that Pavia in his new boat is in danger. Jens and Pavia's girlfriend, Naja (Dorthe Reimer), travel overland to rescue him, but Jens falls into an icy crevice and is rescued by Pavia instead. In this way, Pavia returns to a hero's welcome in the village. Jens hastens back only to discover he is too late, that the boat that Eva had been awaiting has already sailed. Dejected, Jens goes home and discovers Eva is there waiting for him.
Cast
- Poul ReichhardtPoul ReichhardtPoul David Reichhardt was a Danish actor, well known for his roles in Danish 1940s/50s comedies. Later on, he also played more serious and varied roles; he has also starred in Huset på Christianshavn, Matador and as various minor characters in the Olsen Gang films.For almost thirty years...
as Jens Lauritzen - Astrid VillaumeAstrid VillaumeAstrid Villaume was a Danish actress of stage and film best known for her award-winning title role in the 1950 film Susanne.-Early life:...
as Eva Nygaard - Gunnar LauringGunnar LauringGunnar Lauring was a Danish stage and film actor.- Filmography :*De bør forelske Dem - 1935*Week-End - 1935*Panserbasse - 1936*Blaavand melder storm - 1938*De tre, måske fire - 1939...
as Marius Mariboe - Randi MichelsenRandi MichelsenRandi Michelsen was a Danish film actress. She appeared in 35 films between 1927 and 1974.She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Selected filmography:* Københavnere...
as Fru Mariboe - Bjørn Watt-BoolsenBjørn Watt-BoolsenBjørn Watt-Boolsen was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1943 and 1998.He was born in Rudkøbing, Denmark and died in Denmark.-Selected filmography:* The Red Meadows...
as Dr. Erik Halsøe - Kirsten RolffesKirsten RolffesKirsten Rolffes was a Danish actress, internationally mostly recognized for her role in The Kingdom and Matador...
as Sygeplejerske Kirsten Prage - Niels Platou as Pavia
- Dorthe Reimer as Naja
- Justus Larsen as Nuka
- Johanne Larsen as Cæcilie
- Edward Sivertsen as Zakarias
See also
- List of submissions to the 29th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Danish submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film