A critical and box-office smash hit, Schpaaa is the film that sent shockwaves through the Norwegian media at its release. An angry document about life growing up in the city center. Schpaaa is packed with sharp street humor, intense action, and propelled by brilliant camera work. Schpaaa examines the fragmentary story of five young boys in contemporary Oslo. An account of one crucial week in the lives of Jonas (13), and his former Yugoslavian friend Emir (15). Without much of a future they take control of their own lives and push the limits within their relationship to each other and to the world. In a critical moment Jonas lets his best friend down. Schpaaa is a film about young gangsters and reflects a true picture of contemporary Oslo. A story about betrayal, loss of innocence, and the search for identity in an environment not familiar to most of us. Schpaaa's subject matter made a huge impact in Norway, not least when the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs called for an extra screening so they could see what they were up against. Schpaaa is ERIK POPPE's (1960) debut as a feature film director. Poppe is educated at the Dramatic Institute in Stockholm. He has previously directed commercials, short- and documentary films as well as being Director of Photography on Bent Hamer's first feature film, Eggs. He was named Scandinavian Director of the Year, 1994 and has won several awards at the Cannes Advertising Film Festival, and in the Epica, Eurobest and Clio competitions. In 1995, he was named Feature Director of Photography of the Year in Norway. He received the MTV Award for direction for his Peter Gabriel music video. He has also won several awards at the national competition for commercial films.

Director: Erik Poppe Screenplay: Hans Petter Blad and Erik Poppe Director of photography: John Christian Rosenlund Editor: Skule Eriksen Production designer: Jack van Domburg Sound: Magne Michelsen, Håkon Lammetun Producer: Finn Gjerdrum for BulBul Film AS Cast: Maikel Andressen Abou-Zelof, Jalal Zahedjekta, Sharjil Arshed Vaseer, Mickael Marman, Seth Raknes Release date: 16 October 1998 Sales: BulBul Film AS, Fossveien 24 A, Bygn. 4, N-0551 Oslo Tel: +47 22 42 22 27 Fax: +47 22 42 22 99