Sons (2006 film)
Encyclopedia
Sons is a Norwegian
film from 2006. Sons focuses on the conflict between a pederastic man and the boys with whom he has had intimate relationships (at one time in the film termed his "sons"). It is Erik Richter Strand's first feature film as a director.
The film is also the feature film debut of producer Eric Vogel and cinematographer Johan-Fredrik Bødker.
being core ingredients.
One day Lars has an uncomfortable incident in the swimming hall. He recognizes an acquaintance from his past, Hans (Mestad), a middle aged man with a reputation of "fiddling" with the teenage boys in the neighbourhood. Lars alerts Anja (Enstad) who is the manager of the hall and also Jørgen's live-in partner, that Hans is a menace and needs to be barred from using the facilities. Anja instead figures that Lars needs to get his act together and stop making uncorroborated accusations. Next Lars acquaints Tim (Bratt Silset), a boy who has been with Hans. Lars then erupts, losing his rationality overcome by rage.
s movie critic Inger Bentzrud, who gave the film 5 out of 6 points, wrote: "The hunt on the molester takes place in a thriller-like race against the police. But still the film leaves a large room for reflection by providing such a multi-dimensional picture of the relationship between the perpetrator and the abused boys. As a debutant work this shows both courage amd social commitment".
On the webpages of TV 2
, film critic Vibeke Johnsen gives the film 6 point (of 6 possible), and she wrote: "This is visionary and mainstream both at the same time. You are going to have to look around long for a film where script, direction, acting and credibility all click together as well. In other words; Sønner is a film you do not want to miss".
Variety
writes: "A hard-hitting and thoughtful drama about a young man's quest to expose a pedophile, Sons is an impressive first film by young Norwegian writer-director Erik Richter Strand [...]. Intense semi-thriller maintains interest without slipping into cliche, and has an ending both satisfying and unexpected".
Sons has participated in more than 20 film festivals around the globe having its international premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. Among its numerous trophies the film has won the Fassbinder Award in Mannheim, Germany and The Grand Jury Award at the Seattle International Film Festival
in the USA.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
film from 2006. Sons focuses on the conflict between a pederastic man and the boys with whom he has had intimate relationships (at one time in the film termed his "sons"). It is Erik Richter Strand's first feature film as a director.
The film is also the feature film debut of producer Eric Vogel and cinematographer Johan-Fredrik Bødker.
Plot
Lars (Kaalstad) is a 25-year-old guy who is going nowhere in life. He is a life guard in a swimming hall in the eastern parts of Oslo (characterized by its lower middle class population). Lars just wants to do good, but his abilities aren't always up to the challenges. He is well-meaning but his temper is easily and violently triggered — a problem which Lars has had for all of his life. Together with his best buddy Jørgen (Schultheiss) he has a troubled adolescence in his past history. Jørgen is transitioning to adult living cohabiting with his partner and children, whilst Lars is still living the bachelor's life with soccer and beerBeer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
being core ingredients.
One day Lars has an uncomfortable incident in the swimming hall. He recognizes an acquaintance from his past, Hans (Mestad), a middle aged man with a reputation of "fiddling" with the teenage boys in the neighbourhood. Lars alerts Anja (Enstad) who is the manager of the hall and also Jørgen's live-in partner, that Hans is a menace and needs to be barred from using the facilities. Anja instead figures that Lars needs to get his act together and stop making uncorroborated accusations. Next Lars acquaints Tim (Bratt Silset), a boy who has been with Hans. Lars then erupts, losing his rationality overcome by rage.
Reception
The film received rave reviews from most Norwegian film critics. DagbladetDagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
s movie critic Inger Bentzrud, who gave the film 5 out of 6 points, wrote: "The hunt on the molester takes place in a thriller-like race against the police. But still the film leaves a large room for reflection by providing such a multi-dimensional picture of the relationship between the perpetrator and the abused boys. As a debutant work this shows both courage amd social commitment".
On the webpages of TV 2
TV 2 (Norway)
TV 2 is the largest commercial television station in Norway. Over 30% of the time Norwegians spend watching TV is spent watching TV 2. The station has 65% of the market for TV commercials in Norway....
, film critic Vibeke Johnsen gives the film 6 point (of 6 possible), and she wrote: "This is visionary and mainstream both at the same time. You are going to have to look around long for a film where script, direction, acting and credibility all click together as well. In other words; Sønner is a film you do not want to miss".
Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
writes: "A hard-hitting and thoughtful drama about a young man's quest to expose a pedophile, Sons is an impressive first film by young Norwegian writer-director Erik Richter Strand [...]. Intense semi-thriller maintains interest without slipping into cliche, and has an ending both satisfying and unexpected".
Sons has participated in more than 20 film festivals around the globe having its international premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. Among its numerous trophies the film has won the Fassbinder Award in Mannheim, Germany and The Grand Jury Award at the Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
The Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
in the USA.