Best Norwegian documentary movies
A curated collection of popular documentary movies from Norway.
Drone (2015)
Drone (2015)
DRONE is a documentary about the covert CIA drone war. Through voices on both sides of this new technology, DRONE reveals crucial information about the drone war in Pakistan and offers unique insights into the nature of drone warfare.
Tears of Gaza (2010)
Tears of Gaza (2010)
In a rough style, by way of unique footage, the brutal consequences of modern wars are exposed. The film also depicts the ability of women and children to handle their everyday life after a dramatic war experience. Many of them live in tents or in ruins without walls or roofs. They are all in need of money, food, water and electricity. Others have lost family members, or are left with seriously injured children. Can war solve conflicts or create peace? The film follows three children through the war and the period after the ceasefire.
The Norwegian Solution (2009)
The Norwegian Solution (2009)
Norway is per capita one of the world's biggest producers of weapons and ammunition. The Norwegian Solution gives us a rare look into the ammunition's factory Nammo, situated in the idyllic surroundings of Raufoss, in the middle of the country.
Acoustic Ocean (2018)
Acoustic Ocean (2018)
Acoustic Ocean is an artistic exploration of the sonic ecology of marine life in the North Atlantic. Located on the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway, the video centers on the performance of a marine-biologist diver who is using a life-size model of a submersible equipped with all sorts of hydrophones and recording devices. In this science-fictional quest, her task is to sense the submarine space for acoustic and bioluminescent forms of expression.
a-ha: The Movie (2021)
a-ha: The Movie (2021)
When "Take On Me" reached nr 1 on Billboard in the US in 1985, the dream came true. Or did it? The band was not prepared for what the success could bring, including tension between the three band members.
Quietest Boy – The Lillebjørn Nilsen Story (2022)
Quietest Boy – The Lillebjørn Nilsen Story (2022)
A documentary portraying the life of Norwegian folk singer Lillebjørn Nilsen. Lillebjørn's talent brought him into the limelight as a shy 15-year-old. This is his own story about music, fame and an eternal longing for peace.
Cocks & Crosses - The Music That Wouldn't Die (2016)
Winnerbäck - A Kind of Life (2017)
Winnerbäck - A Kind of Life (2017)
Lars Winnerbäck is one of Sweden's biggest artists for 15 years. At the same time he is one of those we know least about. Now Winnerbäck celebrates 20 years as an artist, despite barely filling 40. This documentary takes us closer to him than ever, while summarizing a musically unlikely career. But most of all, it gives an insight into an extremely complex human being, with all its weaknesses and characteristics reflecting an entire generation's feelings. In addition to Lars Winnerbäck is featured in the film Rolf Lassgård, Per Gessle and Melissa Horn. Director and producer are Øystein Karlsen, who is behind successes like Dag og Lilyhammer.
Letters to Håkon Banken (2024)
Letters to Håkon Banken (2024)
During the 80s, Håkon Banken (1949–2018) was one of Norway’s most popular recording artists, selling upwards of half a million records and cassettes and topping the charts for weeks at a time. Today he is mainly remembered by a small group of dedicated fans, who celebrate him for his candid lyrics about his own struggles with mental health. This documentary tells the story of this unique figure in Norwegian popular music through archive material, reconstructions and interviews with some of those who he left an indelible impression on.
Nor Noise (2004)
Nor Noise (2004)
Nor Noise is the first norwegian documentary about noise music. Movie Maker Tom Hovinbøle has from the start in 2001 interviewed a number of artists in the noise genre. The artists relay their thoughts on the phenomenon of noise music - what is it, where does it come from, what is the trade off when replacing traditional harmony and melody for pure audio experience, which possibilities can be explored? The movie explains the historical context of the genre, from the movement of Futurism and Luigi Russolo from before WWI to electronic experiments in the fifties, avantgarde in the sixties, industry and punk in the seventies to the final establishment of the noise genre at the end of the seventies in Japan. Adding to the flavour are concert performances.
Vegg Vegg Vegg (2022)
Vegg Vegg Vegg (2022)
Norway's most popular duo Karpe, invest all their money and time in an immersive show to be performed for only 100 people. What is meant as a gift to the fans and a creative awakening after 20 years as artists, almost costs them their careers and their friendship.
Backstreet Girls - en farligere variant (2021)
Backstreet Girls - en farligere variant (2021)
Legendary rock band Backstreet Girls have been around since 1984 and all they want to do is play live concerts, but then the pandemic arrives.
Ole Paus – Låt for låt (2023)
Ole Paus – Låt for låt (2023)
The satirist, singer and writer Ole Paus has died. Fortunately, Norwegian public broadcasting have many memories from his more than 50 year long career.
Bigbang: Play Louder (2019)
Bigbang: Play Louder (2019)
A concert film with Norwegian rock band Bigbang, featuring performances from their 2009 shows at the Norwegian Wood Festival and Slottsfjellfestival.
Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff (2021)
Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff (2021)
In 1971, the Kalvøya adventure started with shows, jazz and folk rock and the festival developed into "The mother of all Norwegian festivals".
Cool & Crazy (2001)
Cool & Crazy (2001)
Much as Buena Vista Social Club revealed a rich and unexplored world of music and culture, Cool & Crazy introduces us to a group of men who find purpose, companionship and even fame, as members of a male choir in Berlevåg.
Shakespeare: The Hidden Truth (2013)
Shakespeare: The Hidden Truth (2013)
Was the legendary playwright William Shakespeare really the author of his acclaimed plays? Or was he just a straw man working for a secret society? Norwegian organist and researcher Petter Amundsen claims to have a solid theory on the subject. Shakespearean scholar Robert Crumpton decides to travel to Norway to meet him.
Cracking the Shakespeare Code (2016)
Cracking the Shakespeare Code (2016)
Norwegian researcher Petter Amundsen claims to have deciphered a secret code hidden in legendary playwright William Shakespeare's works that reveals a map leading to the location of certain treasures. British Shakespearean scholar Robert Crumpton embarks on a mission to prove he is spectacularly wrong. (A remake of “Shakespeare: The Hidden Truth,” including new discoveries.)
Home Town (2018)
Home Town (2018)
Who are we? Where do we come from? With private recordings, unique archive footage and stories from famous and unknown people, Trondheimsreisen takes a close and personal look at the history of Trondheim.
No Other Land (2024)
No Other Land (2024)
This film made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective shows the destruction of the occupied West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers and the alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval.
The Painter and the Thief (2020)
The Painter and the Thief (2020)
When two of artist Barbora Kysilkova’s most valuable paintings are stolen from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo, the police are able to find the thief after a few days, but the paintings are nowhere to be found. Barbora goes to the trial in hopes of finding clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief if she can paint a portrait of him. This will be the start of a very unusual friendship. Over three years, the cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of the artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art.
Magnus (2016)
Magnus (2016)
From a young age Magnus Carlsen had aspirations of becoming a champion chess player. While many players seek out an intensely rigid environment to hone their skills, Magnus’ brilliance shines brightest when surrounded by his loving and supportive family. Through an extensive amount of archival footage and home movies, director Benjamin Ree reveals this young man’s unusual and rapid trajectory to the pinnacle of the chess world. This film allows the audience to not only peek inside this isolated community but also witness the maturation of a modern genius.
Kon-Tiki (1950)
Kon-Tiki (1950)
"Kon-Tiki" was the name of a wooden raft used by six Scandinavian scientists, led by Thor Heyerdahl, to make a 101-day journey from South America to the Polynesian Islands. The purpose of the expedition was to prove Heyerdal's theory that the Polynesian Islands were populated from the east- specifically Peru- rather than from the west (Asia) as had been the theory for hundreds of years. Heyerdahl made a study of the winds and tides in the Pacific, and by simulating conditions as closely as possible to those he theorized the Peruvians encountered, set out on the voyage.
iHuman (2019)
iHuman (2019)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is possibly the most powerful technology of our time. It has the potential to solve humanity’s biggest challenges yet some fear AI will be our downfall. iHUMAN follows pioneers at the frontline of the race to develop the ever more sophisticated AI to find the questions we need to ask at this crucial point in history.
Once Aurora (2018)
Once Aurora (2018)
This is the third documentary of Norwegian singer AURORA. It will follow the production of her second album. Filmed in La Fabrique, France.
North of the Sun (2012)
North of the Sun (2012)
Two friends discover the perfect beach at a remote Norwegian shore just above the Arctic Circle and decide to spend the winter here – surfing. Building a hut from driftwood and living on expired food only, the young men turn sustainable living into their own Robinson-adventure, keeping their calm even in the face of personal danger.
The Day Before Disclosure (2010)
The Day Before Disclosure (2010)
Our modern civilization is likely to be confronted with the biggest paradigm shift in the perception of reality ever, and through our productions we wish to bring insight from the forefront of this development.