Unlike many directors," says 32-year-old Norwegian director Erik Skjoldbjaerg, whose feature debut Insomnia is screening today as Norway's second ent in this year's Critics' Week, "I do not claim that I know my characters in every way. I strive hard to understand them, but some of their actions still defy a clear explanation. Actually, I am very thankful for that."
A psychological thriller shot in northern Norway ("but with no glamorous pictures of beautiful nature"), Insomnia follows the investigation of a murder. The corpse of a 17-year-old girl has been found, wrapped in plastic. The local police call for assistance from Kripos, the national detective squad and two experienced criminal investigators are sent to solve the mystery.
A second killing sets the police detectives - played by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard (Breaking the Waves) and Sverre Anker Ousdal - off on an intense race, pushing Jonas Engstroem (Skarsgard) towards a mental breakdown. From the lack of sleep, when unsuccessfully trying to shut out the northern light from his hotel room, he enters a state of hallucinations.
"We were struck by the idea of making 'a reversed film noir with light, not darkness, as the dramatic force. And we began guiding our main character through sleepless nights until he gradually lost touch with himself and his ideals," explains Skjoldbjaerg.
From an original screenplay by first-time feature film witer Nikolaj Frobenius, Insomnia was inspired by secrecy. "When you try to hide something from others, you risk losing your own perspective. The secret may involuntarily begin to occupy an increasing part of your own attention. We took this idea to the extreme." Jrn Rossing Jensen
Prod co: Norsk Film A/S, Nordic Screen Production
Prod: Petter Borgli
Dir: Erik Skjoldbjaerg
Scr: Nicolaj Frobenius
Ph: Erling Thurmann-Andersen
Art dir: Eli B
Cos: Runa Fnne
Mus: Geir Jensen
Cast: Stellan Skarsgard, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Gisken Armand
Running time: 97 mins
Int sales: BV International
