Lovers of the Arctic Circle (1998)

In Lapland Finland, under the eternal midnight sun, two ardent lovers will reunite once again after a long period apart, governed by a powerful and eloquent circular motif that is woven by destiny, faith and love.

Director:

Julio Medem

Writer:

Julio Medem

Stars:

Najwa Nimri, Fele Martínez, Nancho Novo

13 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Najwa Nimri	...	Ana joven
Fele Martínez	...	Otto joven (as Fele Martinez)
Nancho Novo	...	Álvaro
Maru Valdivielso	...	Olga
Peru Medem	...	Otto niño
Sara Valiente	...	Ana niña
Víctor Hugo Oliveira	...	Otto adolescente
Kristel Díaz	...	Ana adolescente (as Kristel Diaz)
Pep Munné	...	Javier (as Pep Munne)
Jaroslaw Bielski	...	Álvaro Midelman (as Jaroslaw Bielski)
Rosa Morales	...	Sofía
Joost Siedhoff	...	Otto Midelman
Beate Jensen	...	Madre de Otto
Petri Heino	...	Aki
Outi Alanen	...	Mensajera

Storyline

Otto and Ana are kids when they meet each other. Their names are palindromes. They meet by chance, people are related by chance. A story of circular lives, with circular names, and a circular place (Círculo polar) where the day never ends in the midnight sun. There are things that never end, and Love is one of them.

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Plot Keywords:

stepfather stepdaughter relationship | stepbrother stepsister relationship | finland | arctic circle | sun | 

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Taglines:

Destiny will take them to the boundaries of the world.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Spain France

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

4 September 1998 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Lovers of the Arctic Circle

Filming Locations:

Rovaniemi, Finland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,697, 11 April 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$504,223, 1 August 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+,Sociedad,Sociedad General de Televisión (Sogetel)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There's a character named Aki in the movie. This is a direct homage from director Julio Medem to Aki Kaurismaki, which Medem deeply admires.

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Goofs

In the shop, the red heart continuously appears and disappears from the counter.

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Quotes

Otto: I'll love you always and if the petrol runs out, I'll die.

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Crazy Credits

"En el recuerdo de mi padre" - In memory of my father.

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Connections

Referenced in Mr. Nobody (2009)

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Soundtracks

Sinitaivas
Written by Josef Rixner, Lauri Jauhiainen, George de Godzinsky
Performed by Olavi Virta and The Harmony Sisters

User Reviews

A movie about true love

This is one of those films that the less you know about it the better-- but GO SEE IT. This is one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. It's a really magical, intricate, intense and beautiful film.

This film is also very hard to describe. You flip/flop from one perspective to another, learning what the events of the movie MEAN to each character. The connections are so intricate and complex, the visual storytelling so compelling, I was just blown away by this film, and I felt the rest of the audience was right there with me.

If you've seen and liked THE LOVER you'll like this-- it's one of those slow, languid, dreamy and beautiful movies about a true love that lasts beyond all circumstances. It's so intense one almost swoons watching it. The only other thing it reminded me of was the novel THE WHITE HOTEL. I know I sound like a huge flake, but I'm not! GO see this-- and try not to hear too much about it. You'll be converted. Really an EXPERIENCE. I'm saying it's the best of 1999 so far-- and I doubt I'll see anything better. GO! Now! Take a loved one!

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