Thale (2012)

Estranged friends Leo (a crime-scene cleaner) and hired-hand Elvis are cleaning up a particularly messy casualty deep in the Norwegian woods. When Elvis accidentally finds a secret passage ... See full summary »

Director:

Aleksander Nordaas

Writer:

Aleksander Nordaas

Stars:

Silje Reinåmo, Erlend Nervold, Jon Sigve Skard

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Silje Reinåmo	...	Thale
Erlend Nervold	...	Elvis
Jon Sigve Skard	...	Leo
Morten Andresen	...	Hvittkledd
Roland Astrand	...	Voice (voice) (as Roland Åstrand)
Sunniva Lien	...	Thale, ung

Storyline

Estranged friends Leo (a crime-scene cleaner) and hired-hand Elvis are cleaning up a particularly messy casualty deep in the Norwegian woods. When Elvis accidentally finds a secret passage that leads to a subterranean living space, he also encounters Thale, a beautiful young woman who sings, but does not speak. Though they are intrigued and concerned for her, they are ill-prepared when others, tracking Thale, finally catch up to her.

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Plot Keywords:

folklore | creature | m 16 | horseshoe | old friends reunited | 

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Taglines:

In a cellar, dark and deep, I lay my dearest down to sleep; A secret they would like to keep.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The entire set of the interiors were shot in Alexsander's parents basement in Mosjøen, Norway. A Thale or Thallen is a Scandinavian folkloric creature which possesses magical powers to induce empathy in humans if caught out of the forest, where they dwell. In the English-speaking world it would likely be classified as "faery folk".

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Goofs

Near the start of the film, we see the creature Thale suddenly emerge from a bathtub full of liquid. Yet her hair is barely even wet.

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Quotes

Elvis: [Speaking to Leo, English subtitle] How long did they give you?

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Connections

Followed by Thale 2

User Reviews

Quiet fantasy based on Nordic folklore

If you have read anything about the film, including the title of this review, or have seen any trailer, then you already know what the story is about. The film is quiet, haunting and has a quality of foreboding which is quite alluring. It is hardly a horror movie and I could only place it in the fantasy genre.

The plot revolves around huldra, seductive creatures from Nordic folklore that seem to be very beautiful women, but are actually forest creatures. As such, the choice of Silje Reinåmo was very wise; she is very pretty. The film feels almost like a filmed play. After all, there are only four actors in total and a voice.

Even if the lead character is supposedly the one driving the story, the movie being seen from his perspective, the one that really made the film feel real and interesting was, in acting and role, his friend, interpreted by Jon Sigve Skard. A phlegmatic character, he underlines the weirdness of the situation by acting totally cool, creating the appropriate contrast.

Over all it was a nice film, although the entirety of it was pretty much about the same thing and something that was already obvious from the beginning. The feel and the fairytale root of the movie are what makes it worth watching. Some people might get bored by it or enjoy its atmosphere, as I did.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian Swedish

Release Date:

17 February 2012 (Norway)

Also Known As:

Tajemná huldra

Filming Locations:

Mosjøen, Nordland, Norway

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$296,500

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Fund FUZZ, Yesbox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1