Kissed by Winter (2005)

After her son is hospitalized, a doctor cheats on her husband with a snow plow driver who is a suspect in her investigation of the recent death of a young Arab boy.

Director:

Sara Johnsen

Writers:

Ståle Stein Berg, Sara Johnsen

Stars:

Annika Hallin, Kristoffer Joner, Fridtjov Såheim

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Annika Hallin	...	Victoria
Kristoffer Joner	...	Kai
Fridtjov Såheim	...	Stein
Göran Ragnerstam	...	Filip
Linn Skåber	...	Wibeke
Axel Zuber	...	Sune
Jade Francis Haj	...	Darjosh
Michalis Koutsogiannakis	...	Darjosh's father
Mina Azarian	...	Darjosh's mother
Trine Wiggen	...	Gerd
Klara Døving	...	Maja
Henrik Storsveen	...	Ben
Luis Engebrigtsen Bye	...	Inge
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nina Andresen Borud	...	Bens mor

Storyline

Following her son's death, Victoria moves to a small community to work as a doctor at the local clinic. She attempts to forget and move on with her life but find it impossible when a local boy is found dead in the snow and Victoria must tell the boy's parents. Police quickly explains it as an accident but Victoria finds that there is something strange about the whole affair.

---

Plot Keywords:

title edited by female | female nudity | topless female nudity | f rated | one word title | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Selected to represent Norway at the 78th Annual Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.

---

Goofs

When Darjosh is seen on the ski jump and later walking on the road, he is bareheaded. However when his body is found and recovered, he has a scarf wrapped around his neck and head.

---

Soundtracks

Hallelujah
Music by Leonard Cohen
Performed by Jeff Buckley

User Reviews

A great thought-provoking insight to the meaning of grief and sense of loss.

There is no way of denying that "Vinterkyss" is one of the best foreign-language films I've ever seen. After its one-and-half hours, I sat astonished because I didn't expect such a strong film can be made from such a delicate and subtle theme. The movie deals with personal loss, grief and reactions to loss in different points of view. But it neither appreciates nor discards any one of them. It leaves it open for viewers' opinions, at the same time it leaves a social message too.

A busy Swedish doctor, Victoria, goes to Norwegian countryside after her son's unexpected death, feeling partly responsible for it. There one day she finds the dead body of Darjosh, a young Muslim refugee and now the film contrasts the sense of loss and expressions of grief of Victoria, Darjosh's parents and Darjosh himself. All of their unexpected deeds and unjustified reactions in similar mental state are beautifully depicted in the film. The film becomes successful to hold a perpetual melancholy note without being too much sentimental, perhaps the artistic use of white snow as a throughout background and the beautiful theme song help that.

The film compels us to question some the actions taken by the people who suffer from guilt or loss. The character Kai here analyzes the difference between guilt and responsibility, in that way providing a reason to accept positive things in life even after a trauma. "Vinterkyss" is not only about description of grief and loss, it's about hope too... though none of the three points of view i.e. Victoria's, Darjosh's and his parents', could have it. And for that matter it should always be said that Sara Johnsen has perhaps created a truly great film.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Norway]

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian English Swedish

Release Date:

11 February 2005 (Norway)

Also Known As:

A tél csókja

Filming Locations:

Norway

Box Office

Budget:

NOK15,250,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$337,214

Company Credits

Production Co:

Friland

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1