Nils Utsi Movies
- 2009
Thematically recalling such American outings as Harry and Tonto and About Schmidt, this sweet-natured, slice-of-life effort from Norway concerns Elvind (Bjorn Sundquist), a sexagenarian living a sad, hermetic life on his low-lying boat in a Norwegian harbor. He lives haunted by his memories from decades earlier, when as a young man (Ailo Mikkelsen Gaup) he fled conflict with his high school sweetheart and has refused to return home ever since. In the intervening period, Elvind periodically planned to make the trip back, but for various reasons (with much rationalizing) that never happened. The future looks bleak for Elvind until a young man named Kris (Pal Sverre Hagen) turns up, who aspires to travel the world. The men's paths cross at the lifeboat, and together they devise an adventure that will change both of their lives forever. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Björn Sundquist
- 1987
- NR
Norwegian director Nils Gaup used the landscape of Finland as his backdrop in Pathfinder. The story is set in 10th-century Lapland. Teen-aged Mikkel Gaup, after watching his family being slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tchude tribe, takes refuge in a small, peaceful village. He tries to warn the residents of the cruelties of the Tchudes; as a result, half the villagers take to the hills, while the other half elect to stay and stand their ground. The Tchudes make short work of the villagers, then take Gaup prisoner. He pretends to agree to lead the Tchudes towards the other villagers, but is able to turn the tables before it's too late. Inspired by an ancient legend, Pathfinder is filmed in near-documentary fashion, bringing the past so vividly alive that the audience is tempted to look over its shoulder to see if Tchudes are poised to attack in the lobby of the theatre. Though nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar in 1987, the film was not given a general US release until 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mikal Gaup, Nils Utsi, (more)
- 1983
This scenic movie is about Jon -- a young man who escapes Helsinki, and who is being chased by the police (he beat up his lover) -- and how he came to an isolated village on the northern coast of Norway. The scenery in and around the coastal village is a stunning "co-star" in the film. After Jon starts work in the fish-processing plant at the village, he is approached by a Swedish crew shooting a documentary on migrant workers -- and his story unfolds as the subject of this documentary. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kari Väänänen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, (more)
