Bølgen (2015)

Although anticipated, no one is really ready when the mountain pass above the scenic, narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger collapses and creates an 85-meter high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.

Director:

Roar Uthaug

Writers:

John Kåre Raake, Harald Rosenløw-Eeg

Stars:

Kristoffer Joner, Ane Dahl Torp, Jonas Hoff Oftebro

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristoffer Joner	...	Kristian Eikjord
Ane Dahl Torp	...	Idun Karlsen
Jonas Hoff Oftebro	...	Sondre
Edith Haagenrud-Sande	...	Julia
Fridtjov Såheim	...	Arvid Øvrebø
Laila Goody	...	Margot Valldal
Arthur Berning	...	Jacob Vikra
Herman Bernhoft	...	Georg
Eili Harboe	...	Vibeke
Silje Breivik	...	Anna
Håkon Moe	...	Thomas
Tyra Holmen	...	Teresa
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Phillip
Mette Agnete Horn	...	Maria (as Mette Horn)
Lado Hadzic	...	Bussjåfør

Storyline

Based on the fact that mountain pass Åkneset, located in the Geiranger fjord in Norway, one day will fall out and create a violent tsunami of over 80 meters that will crush everything in its path before it hits land in Greenland. A geologist gets caught in the middle of it and a race against time begins.

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Plot Keywords:

norway | flood | landslide | rockslide | disaster film | 

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Taglines:

It was only a matter of time.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and disaster images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian English

Release Date:

28 August 2015 (Norway)

Also Known As:

The Wave

Filming Locations:

Geiranger, Stranda, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

Box Office

Budget:

NOK 50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,321, 6 March 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$176,637, 1 May 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fantefilm, Film i Väst, Seven Film Romania

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first disaster movie made in Norway and Scandinavia.

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Goofs

When Kristian goes to the fuel station, he picks up the diesel pump even though the car is (according to the badging) a Jeep Cherokee 4.0, running on petrol. He should've used a green petrol pump instead of the black diesel pump.

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Quotes

Kristian Eikjord: Margot? Sound the alarm.
Margot Valldal: But...
Arvid Øvrebø: Margot! Go to red! Go to red! Margot, sound the alarm!

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Connections

Spin-off Skjelvet (2018)

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Soundtracks

Rising Water
Arranged by Johannes Ringen
Composed by Magnus Beite & Johannes Ringen
(P) 2015 Fantefilm AS
© 2015 Grappa Musikkforlag AS

User Reviews

Predictable, Yet Highly Engaging (Fantastic Fest 2015)

Just caught this film in Austin during Fantastic Fest and had a blast. I've never seen a Norwegian movie before and I went in blind to this one.

The moderator introduced it as a "movie that would make Roland Emmerich cum his pants", and while it's not exactly on the same level as, say, Independence Day or 2012, the film is an absolute destructive experience that packs a punch. The premise, which is honestly quite simple, revolves around a geologist that begins to sense that something is awry when a mountain over a small town begins to give off strange activity in its movement. By the time he warns everybody, it's too late.

The film borrows from plenty of Hollywood clichés, but what it does well is build its suspense. Normally there would be a few action set pieces preceding the real climax, but this film takes its time to build the tension and it does so masterfully. There's an emotional connection to the lead and his family, and from the moment he senses that something is wrong, you want him and those that he loves to get out of town safely.

There's nothing new about the story or with the characters, but it's an impressive feat with dazzling cinematography and a pulsating score. I'd highly recommend checking it out if you're looking to be entertained.