Norway's choice for the Oscars
Agnes Kittelsen in "Sykt lykkelig" ("Happy, Happy").
The comedy “Happy, Happy,” is Norway’s candidate in the category of Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards, reported the Norwegian Film Institute on Thursday.
The jury decided between three films: “Oslo, 31. august,” “Sønner av Norge” (Sons of Norway) and “Sykt lykkelig” (Happy, Happy), but it was the latter of the three which drew the longest straw.
Why this film? “Happy, Happy is a humorous story that plays with the dark without ever departing from the gravity and warmth of the interpersonal. In the foreground is the desire to be loved, fear of being betrayed, and the fear to come forward with the true self,” said director Anne Sewitsky to Aftenposten.
The film preserves the nuances of Ragnhild Tronvoll’s multifaceted script, and Anna Myking’s detailed and well-composed filmography is impressive. “Happy, happy is a film that ostensibly shows us the very big through the very little, and moves us with great performances, especially from the leading roles, played by Agnes Kittelsen and Henrik Ragaelsen.”
The film already has U.S. distribution through the reputable Magnolia Pictures, which also distributes the new cult classic “Troll Hunt” and the adaption of Jo Nesbø’s popular novel, “Head Hunter.” “Happy, Happy” has its U.S. premiere on Sept. 16. with views on both the east and west coasts of the U.S. Magnolia Pictures has also set up a race to get “Happy, Happy” nominated in other Oscar categories. The film is currently being sold to nearly 50 countries.
The film will now be considered by members of the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences, which then nominates five films among the submitted entries from different countries.
Source: Aftenposten
