''Sons'' () is a 2006 Norwegian film focusing on the conflict between a

pederast Pederasty or paederasty () is a sexual relationship between an adult man and an adolescent boy. It was a socially acknowledged practice in Ancient Greece and Rome and elsewhere in the world, such as Pre-Meiji Japan. In most countries today, ...

and the boys with whom he has had intimate relationships (his "sons"). It is

Erik Richter Strand The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, Eirik, or Eiríkur is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Nor ...

's first feature film as a director, and the feature-film debut of producer Eric Vogel and cinematographer Johan-Fredrik Bødker.

Plot

Lars (

Nils Jørgen Kaalstad Nils Jørgen "Jøgge" Kaalstad (born 23 January 1979) is a Norwegian actor and musician who performs under the stage name Sideshow Jøgge. He is best known to international audiences as Dag Solstad from ''Lilyhammer'' and Arvid from ''Norsemen'' ...

) is a 25-year-old man who is going nowhere in life. He is a

lifeguard A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and Cardiopulmonary ...

in a swimming hall in the eastern parts of Oslo (characterized by its lower middle class population). He is well-meaning, but he has a violent temper - the result of an unhappy, abuse-ridden childhood. His best friend Jørgen (Edward Schultheiss) is transitioning to adult life with his live-partner, Anja (Marika Enstad) and their children, but Lars is still living the bachelor's life, consisting mostly of drinking beer and playing soccer. One day at a swimming pool, Lars recognizes Hans (

Henrik Mestad Henrik Mestad (born 22 June 1964) is a Norwegian stage, film, and television actor. He is known for his role as the Norwegian prime minister in the political thriller '' Occupied'', and as Viking chieftain Olav in '' Norseman''. Early life and ...

), a middle-aged man with a reputation for "fiddling" with teenage boys in the neighborhood. Lars alerts Anja, the manager of the pool, that Hans is a menace who needs to be barred from the facilities. Anja says that Lars needs to get his life together and stop making uncorroborated accusations. When Lars meets Tim ( Mikkel Bratt Silset), one of Hans' victims, he resolves to prevent the predator from harming any more children.

Cast

as Lars * Mikkel Bratt Silset as Tim * Edward Schultheiss as Jørgen *

as Hans * Ingrid Bolsø Berdal as Norunn *

Anna Bache-Wiig Anna Bache-Wiig (born 19 September 1975) is a Norwegian actress and writer. She is best known for writing the screenplay for the film ''Utøya: July 22'' in collaboration with Siv Rajendram Eliassen. Early career Bache-Wiig was educated at the ...

as Heidi * Ronnie Baraldsnes as Nyhetsanker * Christin Borge as Dame i svømmehallen * Terje Brevik as Prostitute's client * Fredrik Stenberg Ditlev-Simonsen as Victim * Marika Enstad as Anja * Henrik Fjelldal as Roar * Ane Hoel as Studio expert * Lars Erik Holter as Man in Asker * Jeppe Beck Laursen as Prostitute's client (billed as Jeppe Laursen) * Fredrik Norrman as Torgeir * Joachim Rafaelsen as Joakim

Reception

The film received highly positive reviews from Norwegian film critics. ''

Dagbladet () is one of Norway's largest newspapers and is published in the Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid format. It has 1,400,000 daily readers on mobile, web and paper. Traditionally it was considered the main liberal newspaper of Norway, with a ...

s movie critic Inger Bentzrud gave the film a " die throw" of 5 out of 6, writing (translated from Norwegian): "The hunt for the molester takes place in a thriller-like race against the police. But still the film leaves a large room for reflection by providing such a multi-dimensional picture of the relationship between the perpetrator and the abused boys. As a debut work this shows both courage and social commitment". On the webpages of TV 2, film critic Vibeke Johnsen gives the film 6 point (of 6 possible), and she wrote: "This is visionary and mainstream both at the same time. You are going to have to look around long for a film where script, direction, acting and credibility all click together as well. In other words, ''Sønner'' is a film you do not want to miss". ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' writes: "A hard-hitting and thoughtful drama about a young man's quest to expose a pedophile, ''Sons'' is an impressive first film by young Norwegian writer-director Erik Richter Strand .. Intense semi-thriller maintains interest without slipping into cliche, and has an ending both satisfying and unexpected". ''Sons'' had its international premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain; since then, it has been featured in more than 20 film festivals worldwide. Among its numerous trophies the film has won the

Fassbinder Award Rainer Werner Fassbinder (; 31 May 1945 – 10 June 1982), sometimes credited as R. W. Fassbinder, was a German filmmaker, dramatist and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures and catalysts of the New German Cinema moveme ...

Mannheim, Germany Mannheim (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: or ), officially the University City of Mannheim (), is the List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population, second-largest city in Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, the States of Ger ...

, and The Grand Jury Award at the

Seattle International Film Festival The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is a film festival held annually in Seattle, Washington, United States, since 1976. It usually takes place in late May and/or early June. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, and feature ...

in the USA.

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title, 0473707, Sons 2000s Norwegian-language films 2006 films 2006 drama films Norwegian LGBTQ-related films Norwegian vigilante films 2006 LGBTQ-related films