Cinema
Orion's Belt
Orions belte
Ola Solum · 1985
Synopsis
Tom, Lars and Sverre, three penniless sailors, scrape a living in Svalbard from small contracts aboard their old boat, the Sandy Hook. During an expedition, in an Arctic zone thought to be deserted, they come across a secret Soviet military installation, a listening station set up on Norwegian territory. For having seen what they should not have seen, the three men find themselves caught up in a political affair that goes far beyond their small business.
Context
The film is based on a novel by Jon Michelet published in 1977. It was shot twice, scene by scene and with the same actors: a Norwegian version for the cinema, directed by Ola Solum, and an English version for television, directed by Tristan de Vere Cole. Helge Jordal, Sverre Anker Ousdal and Hans Ola Sørlie play the three sailors. Released in February 1985, it drew more than 600,000 viewers in Norway, about 700,000 by some counts, on a budget of 15 million kroner.
Who it is for
About an hour and forty minutes, in Norwegian, for those who like spy stories and the landscapes of the Far North.
Prizes and reception
Four Amanda awards, including best Norwegian film of the year, and a great box-office success in its country.