Norsk filminstitutt

Documentary film Being Ola
(Ola - En helt vanlig uvanlig fyr)

Ola is a 30-year-old man who lives in a small village in Norway with a very diverse group of people. They try to live life at a slower pace in harmony with nature, and their community is founded on values such as empathy, respect, and mutual interdependence.

Ola generally enjoys his life and is an engaged, witty, and sincere individual. He has a mild intellectual disability, and he reflects very openly about his condition. When Ola loses an important aspect of his life, he reflects on his existence and considers how he can become more self-reliant.

Being Ola is a moving, heartwarming film that celebrates the significance of equality and belonging as a basis for daring to embrace the one you really are. It's a close and honest portrait that helps bridge the gap between 'us' and 'them'.  

Production and distribution

Production Year:
2023
Production country:
Norway
Release date (national):
2023-10-13
Production company:
Einar Film Drama AS
Financing company:
Norwegian Film Institute
Viken Filmsenter
Fritt Ord Foundation
Stiftelsen Damm
Executive producer:
Hans Lukas Hansen
Producer:
Eirin O. Høgetveit
Film consultant:
Eirin Gjørv

Director

  • Ragnhild Nøst Bergem

    Ragnhild Nøst Bergem (b 1990) is a Norwegian award-winning and Amanda-nominated filmmaker and cinematographer. Bergem has a distinct and brave voice in storytelling. Her intimate approach to the vulnerable characters in her films makes them open up and share the unspoken. Through Bergem's film work we get closer to people who normally remain silent and her ambition is to help create change in society.   

    Bergem's documentaries have played in theaters, on television and at film festivals, both in Norway and abroad. Her award-winning film Remember me? premiered at IDFA in 2016, and was featured in The Autumn Exhibition in Norway in 2017. The Corona Diaries of 2021 aired on Norwegian TV2 and several festivals. Bergem’s first full-length Stay was nominated for an Amanda award for best documentary in 2021. She won the Gullruten prize for best directed documentary with the same film in Norway in 2022. The film received high critical acclaim, and was broadcasted on NRK and SVT in addition to featuring at several festivals. During a period of 2 years (2017-2019) she followed 3 individuals who all suffered from the dementia illness. In this life-giving movie the film-director plows deeply into the soar and sad loss, as well as she detects moments of light and humor. All this is reflected in sharp photography/film compositions.  

    Ragnhild Nøst Bergem

Awards

2023:
Human International Documentary Film Festival
Honorable Mention

Festivals

2023:
TIFF - Tromsø International Film Festival
2023:
Human International Documentary Film Festival
2023:
Kosmorama Trondheim International Film Festival
2023:
The Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund
2023:
Nordic/Docs
2023:
Nordic Film Days Lübeck
2024:
CPH:DOX

Crew

Director:
Ragnhild Nøst Bergem
Screenplay:
Ragnhild Nøst Bergem
Cinematographer:
Ragnhild Nøst Bergem
Editor:
Helge Billing
Stefan Sundlöf
Ragnhild Nøst Bergem
Composer:
Eivind Hannisdal
Sound Design:
Hugo Ekornes
Sound Recording:
Ragnhild Nøst Bergem

Technical information

Format:
DCP 4k
Colour:
Colour
Length in min's:
72'
Language:
Norwegian
Subtitles:
English

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