''Sons'' ( no, Sønner) is a 2006 Norwegian film focusing on the conflict between a

pederast Pederasty or paederasty ( or ) is a sexual relationship between an adult man and a pubescent or adolescence, adolescent boy. The term ''pederasty'' is primarily used to refer to historical practices of certain cultures, particularly Homosexua ...

and the boys with whom he has had intimate relationships (his "sons"). It is Erik Richter Strand's first feature film as a director, and the feature-film debut of producer

Eric Vogel Eric T. Vogel (1896 – 1980) was a Czech jazz trumpeter. In 1938, Vogel played trumpet in a dixieland combo. After being arrested at Brno in 1939 he was made to organize a jazz school in the Jewish ghetto of that city. In Theresienstadt concen ...

and cinematographer Johan-Fredrik Bødker.

Plot

Lars ( Nils Jørgen Kaalstad) is a 25-year-old man who is going nowhere in life. He is a

lifeguard A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and Cardiopulmonary ...

in a swimming hall in the eastern parts of Oslo (characterized by its lower middle class population). He is well-meaning, but he has a violent temper - the result of an unhappy, abuse-ridden childhood. His best friend Jørgen (Edward Schultheiss) is transitioning to adult life with his live-partner, Anja (Marika Enstad) and their children, but Lars is still living the bachelor's life, consisting mostly of drinking beer and playing soccer. One day at a swimming pool, Lars recognizes Hans (

Henrik Mestad Henrik Mestad (born 22 June 1964) is a Norwegian stage, film, and television actor. He received the Hedda Award in 2011. Mestad was born in Oslo as a son of the politician Viking Mestad. He is educated at the Norwegian Theatre Academy and was h ...

), a middle-aged man with a reputation for "fiddling" with teenage boys in the neighborhood. Lars alerts Anja, the manager of the pool, that Hans is a menace who needs to be barred from the facilities. Anja says that Lars needs to get his life together and stop making uncorroborated accusations. When Lars meets Tim ( Mikkel Bratt Silset), one of Hans' victims, he resolves to prevent the predator from harming any more children.

Cast

* Nils Jørgen Kaalstad as Lars * Mikkel Bratt Silset as Tim *

Edward Schultheiss Edward is an English given name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortune; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”. History The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-Sa ...

as Jørgen *

as Hans *

Ingrid Bolsø Berdal Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (; born 2 March 1980) is a Norwegian actress. She started her career with the 2005 short film ''Limbo''. Her first leading role was in the Norwegian slasher film '' Cold Prey'', released in October 2006. She has since appear ...

as Norunn * Anna Bache-Wiig as Heidi * Ronnie Baraldsnes as Nyhetsanker * Christin Borge as Dame i svømmehallen * Terje Brevik as Prostitute's client * Fredrik Stenberg Ditlev-Simonsen as Victim * Marika Enstad as Anja * Henrik Fjelldal as Roar * Ane Hoel as Studio expert * Lars Erik Holter as Man in Asker * Jeppe Beck Laursen as Prostitute's client (billed as Jeppe Laursen) * Fredrik Norrman as Torgeir *

Joachim Rafaelsen Joachim (; ''Yəhōyāqīm'', "he whom Yahweh has set up"; ; ) was, according to Christian tradition, the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the Biblical apocryphal ...

as Joakim

Reception

The film received highly positive reviews from Norwegian film critics. ''

Dagbladet ''Dagbladet'' (lit.: ''The Daily Magazine'') is one of Norway's largest newspapers and is published in the tabloid format. It has 1,400,000 daily readers on mobile, web and paper. Traditionally ''Dagbladet'' is considered the main liberal newspa ...

s movie critic Inger Bentzrud gave the film a dice throw of 5 out of 6, writing (translated from Norwegian): "The hunt for 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 debut work this shows both courage and 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 Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' 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'' had its international premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain; since then, it has been featured in more than 20 film festivals worldwide. Among its numerous trophies the film has won the

Fassbinder Award Rainer Werner Fassbinder (; 31 May 1945 – 10 June 1982), sometimes credited as R. W. Fassbinder, was a German filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures and catalysts of the New German Cinema movement. Fassbinder's mai ...

Mannheim, Germany Mannheim (; Palatine German: or ), officially the University City of Mannheim (german: Universitätsstadt Mannheim), is the second-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg after the state capital of Stuttgart, and Germany's ...

, and The Grand Jury Award at the

Seattle International Film Festival The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), 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. The SIFF runs for more th ...

in the USA.

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title, 0473707, Sons 2000s Norwegian-language films 2006 films 2006 drama films Norwegian LGBT-related films Norwegian vigilante films