This film is geo-blocked and only available to viewers in Vermont
Shortlisted for Best International Feature Film: Norway’s submission to the 2021 Academy Awards
Hope is a private and fragile story evolving across seven days: a life-threatening event reveals the feelings of a couple who were previously in denial, forcing them to face their evident yet well-hidden problems. Far from being a chronicle of yet another midlife crisis, work or ambitions, Anja and Tomas’s crisis is a final chance to examine their relationship. These few dramatic days are an opportunity for redemption and for a reconciliation with both the past and an unknown, possibly brief future. Ultimately, both must decide whether there is still any hope for their love, as life rarely gives anyone a second chance to find out.
“In this mostly autobiographical film, Sødahl faces her past with realism and delivers an organically emotional, never melodramatic work whose raw and unpretentious approach is extremely moving and always remains truthful to her own experience.” ~ CineEuropa
The Director talks about the inspiration for the film:
“Seven years ago, when I received a terminal cancer diagnosis, the idea of moviemaking vanished in a second. Two years later, still alive but frail after the challenging medical story, I was offered the opportunity to direct an international feature. To do a major production was, at the time, way too premature, but it awakened my urge to tell stories again. Almost against my own will, I ended up writing my most autobiographical project ever. There was no way around it
Although the story is told from my own perspective, getting permission from my close family to deal with our common history was crucial in the process. In short, I had long talks with my husband and, later on, individual lunches “interviewing” each of my three biological and three step-children. Primarily, my question was how they remembered me from this particular week. Being strongly medicated on steroids combined with survival urges – they presented “various portraits” of my character.
As result, I not only got to see myself through their eyes (aged 10-26 years old), but also saw the mechanisms of a modern family. Without doubt, their contributions helped me to get the necessary distance to build a fictional character. Besides, casting the talented actress Andrea Bræin Hovig will ensure that the main character
will have a life of her own.”