Complete credited cast: | |||
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Maria Mathiesen | ... | Tanja Lorentzen |
Stellan Skarsgård | ... | Jonas Engström | |
Sverre Anker Ousdal | ... | Erik Vik | |
Gisken Armand | ... | Hilde Hagen | |
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Kristian Figenschow | ... | Arne Zakariassen (as Kristian Fr. Figenschow) |
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Thor Michael Aamodt | ... | Tom Engen |
Frode Rasmussen | ... | Chief of Police | |
Bjørn Moan | ... | Eilert | |
Maria Bonnevie | ... | Ane | |
Marianne O. Ulrichsen | ... | Frøya | |
Bjørn Floberg | ... | Jon Holt |
In a Norwegian city with a 24-hour daylight cycle, a Swedish murder investigator is brought in to find an elusive killer. But when the officer accidentally kills his own partner and covers it up, a double sided game of cat-and-mouse ensues. Written by Daniel Jos. Leary
Erik Skjoldbjaerg's 1997 film 'Insomnia' starring Stellan Skarsgard is a fine example of the rich films being offered by the foreign film market. Skarsgard plays Jonas Engstrom, a disgraced detective who, with his partner, travels to Norway to help a small town solve the murder of a 17-year-old girl. Due to the atmospheric conditions (there is 24 hour sunshine) and recent events, Engstrom is suffering from a severe bout of insomnia, which is causing problems with his work and psyche.
Not having seen Christopher Nolan's remake, I didn't know what to expect from the story, so I was pleasantly surprised by the unconventional progression of the storyline and the various twists within the script. I have only seen Skarsgard in a couple of films, but he is always fantastic, as he is in this film as well. There are few actors who can keep a straight face, yet still manage to convey complex emotion, and Skarsgard is one of them. He walked through his scenes with a somberness that is reminiscent of most M. Knight Shymalan heroes; powerful, yet weary. Skjoldbjaergs's direction is absolutely beautiful. The colors are quite sharp, and most scenes are expertly framed most would make gorgeous still frames.
I plan to see the remake of 'Insomnia' eventually, but whether you have seen it or not, I would recommend catching the film that inspired it. 7/10.
--Shelly