AN-MAGRITT

In this adaptation of the Norwegian trilogy Bread of Night by Johan Falkberget, the young An-Magritt has cultivated exceptional survival skills from a young age. Orphaned by her mother’s suicide following public humiliiation for an affair with a soldier — and raised only by her grandfather — she has grown up in a harsh environment dominated by men, teaching herself to read and write, and learning skills in husbandry and trade. Surrounded by a rugged region of ore mines and smelting furnaces, her life is filled with daily drudgery and adversity, struggling against poverty, prejudice, and the natural elements.

But when the handsome German scholar Johannes arrives, An-Margritt finds herself charmed by him, as a mutual affection begins to bring an unexpected joy to her life. And when local malice and resentment threatens the two young lovers, she must learn to fight not just for herself, but for happiness. Directed by Arne Skouen (Norway, 1969)

Arne Skouen (b. 1913, Oslo) is a legend of Norwegian cinematography. He started out in the 1930s, first as a journalist and dramatist. As a director he debuted in 1949, and over the next twenty years shot 16 more features, many of which had a major influence on the development of Norwegian film. Selected filmography: Street Kids (Gategutter, 1949), Fire in the Night (Det brenner i natt, 1955), Cold Tracks (Kalde spor, 1962), About Tilla (Om Tilla, 1963), An-Magritt (1969). Skouen’s Nine Lives (Ni liv, 1957) is one of the country’s few movies to be nominated for an Oscar.

An-Magritt is a film adaptation of a Norwegian national work which features an outstanding performance by Liv Ullmann in the title role, and picturesque camerawork by Swedish director of photography Sven Nykvist.