New absurd comedy for Bent Hamer

by Annika Pham

07/11/2006 - Those who loved Bent Hamer’s warm humour and portrayal of pensioners living absurd situations in his first feature Eggs and the acclaimed Kitchen Stories will be happy to see the Norwegian filmmaker back on home turf after his US experience on Factotum [trailer].

In his fifth feature film, O’Horten [trailer] – written, directed and produced by Hamer (as with his previous works) for his production outfit BulBul Film – the Norwegian filmmaker will tell the story of engine driver Odd Horten, who has difficulty adapting to his new life as a pensioner. "As the train leaves the station without engine drive Odd Horten on board, he realises that the way ahead is a journey without printed timetables and well-known stops. Horten has become a pensioner and the platform doesn’t feel like safe to stand on anymore", says Hamer of his new film.

Produced for NOK 20m (€2.4m), O’Horten just received a NOK11M (€1.3m) production support from the Norwegian Film Fund. Film consultant Nikolaj Frobenius describes the film as a stylised comedy, both moving and very funny. The delivery date is set for Christmas 2007.