The images we’re bound to remember from this documentary are those of the Berlevåg male choir standing outdoors in the freezing winter singing in their northern Norway village. It may seem a bit contrived making them do that (the audio still has to be added in a studio), but it looks marvelous and manipulation lies at the heart of every documentary. The filmmakers give us a portrait of life in the old fishing village where modern times have changed things a lot. But the choir is still popular after many decades; the oldest member is in his mid-nineties. These are colorful people, and their trip to Murmansk in the film’s second half is interesting (makes them appreciate what they’ve got in the village). But as a film it is never a terribly rewarding experience.
2000-Norway. 104 min. Color. Directed by Knut Erik Jensen.
Trivia: Original title: Heftig og begeistret. Followed by Cool & Crazy On the Road (2002).
