TRADITIONS IN WORLD CINEMA (pp. x-xi)
FOREWORD (pp. xii-xvi)
Norway, a small country, has relied on public funding to sustain its national cinema. Despite this, commercial film genres (with the exception of comedy) never gained long-term traction until after 2000. Since then, action films, romantic comedies, and war films have gained popularity in Norway. A significant turning point came in 2003 with Dark Woods, the first successful Norwegian horror film to hit cinemas in decades.
1. INTRODUCTION TO NORWEGIAN NIGHTMARES (pp. 1-17)
In November 2019, the Norwegian horror movie Lake of Death (De dødes tjern), an adaptation of André Bjerke’s 1942 novel, premiered. Directed by Nini Bull Robsahm, the film is part of the growing Norwegian horror tradition that emerged in the early 2000s. It was the second adaptation of Bjerke’s novel, the first being a pivotal film in Norwegian horror history.
2. THE SOURCE OF HORROR (pp. 18-34)
The film Lake of Death follows a group of television technicians in a remote part of western Norway. As they explore an abandoned campsite by a lake, the mysterious disappearance of the previous campers sets the stage for a terrifying encounter.
3. THE SLASHERS OF NORWAY (pp. 35-52)
Cold Prey (Fritt vilt) marks a major entry into the Norwegian slasher genre. In a chilling sequence, Jannicke finds herself alone in a mountain hotel, pursued by a masked killer. The intensity of the slasher film’s violence is balanced with a focus on psychological tension.
4. OPEN BODIES IN RURAL NIGHTMARES (pp. 53-70)
Films like Dark Woods and Cold Prey have redefined Norwegian horror by blending traditional elements with graphic slasher violence. The graphic nature of the violence in Cold Prey helped establish the Norwegian slasher film as a distinct and popular subgenre.
5. NORWEGIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR (pp. 71-84)
Beyond slasher films, Norwegian cinema has explored psychological horror. Films like Thelma and The Monitor examine the dark side of Norwegian society, focusing on mental disorientation and supernatural forces that threaten the mind, rather than just the body.
6. HEALING POWER (pp. 85-105)
Norwegian horror films such as Thelma (2017) and The Innocents (2021) explore the supernatural abilities of their characters, who must learn to harness their powers to confront dark forces and heal others. These films blend horror with themes of healing and redemption.
7. FANTASTIC HORROR HYBRIDS (pp. 106-123)
The post-2000 wave of genre cinema in Norway included hybrid horror films, merging horror with comedy, action, and found footage styles. This blend of genres provided both artistic and commercial success, reflecting the influence of Hollywood while catering to Norwegian audiences.
8. DEAD WATER (pp. 124-141)
Norwegian horror has branched into distinct subgenres. While slashers and psychological horror dominate, genre hybrids are also gaining traction. These films incorporate elements of comedy and action, creating a vibrant and diverse horror scene in the country.
9. THE NORWEGIAN APOCALYPSE (pp. 142-158)
The concept of an impending apocalypse is central to many Norwegian horror films. These stories explore the breakdown of societal order and the collapse of the familiar, offering both horror and philosophical reflections on the human condition.
FILMOGRAPHY (pp. 159-164)
