Made by Norway.
Technically brilliant and with haunting music, this TV commercial (aired in September 2009 on Norwegian TV) stopped me in my tracks and I just have to share it. The film is a tribute to the people who work in ‘industry’ today, who work hard and never give up.
The three minute long film, which is a follow-up of the award-winning “Nøtteknekker“-film from 2005, is focusing on the important role industry plays and the value it creates in and for society.
“We are trying to do what we did four years ago. Once again, we have chosen to create an industrial story as a commercial on Norwegian TV2,” says communications director Geir Arne Drangeid in Aker.
“But the new film is no copy of or sequel to the Nøtteknekker. We are taking a fresh approach, and venturing into the world of poetry. At the same time, it is both understated and powerful,” says Mr Drangeid.
Nature has shaped Norway and Norwegian industry. Fish, oil and gas resources provide the people, companies and the country with advantages many other countries can only dream of.
“Industrial development is all about people’s ability to create something new. This is the type of knowledge and innovation that contributed to build the society we live, within fisheries, oil and gas and other industries,” says Mr Drangeid.
Erik Poppe is the director of the film. He also directed the “Nøtteknekker”-film, which won the award for best TV commercial in 2005. But he is probably better known for directing successful feature films such as Hawaii,Oslo and deUSYNLIGE. The music is made by Johan Söderqvist, who recently won a Norwegian Oscar for best music for deUSYNLIGE. The film cost about NOK 3 million to make.
“Bates United, the advertising agency, and Poppe with his team have together created a small piece of art. As with all art, it can be interpreted in several ways. We hope and think it will give the viewers positive associations to Norwegian industry, and that it is felt as a pat on the back to everyone working in the industry today,” says Mr Drangeid.
The film has a realistic tone and feel, and is in parts shot like a documentary. It follows three characters in different environments, from a yard, a trawler and an oil rig or platform. The viewer is going to see will power, stamina and pride, which are three words that describe the industry and the employees in a good way.
Nordmannen by Ivar Aasen:
Mellom bakkar og berg ut med havet
heve nordmannen fenge sin heim,
der han sjølv heve tuftene grave
og sett sjølv sine hus oppå deim.
Han såg ut på dei steinute strender;
det var ingen som der hadde bygt.
“Lat oss rydja og byggja oss grender,
og så eiga me rydningen trygt”
Han såg ut på det bårute havet;
der var ruskut å leggja ut på,
men der leikade fisk ned i kavet,
og den leiken, den ville han sjå.
Fram på vetteren stundom han tenkte:
Gjev eg var i eit varmare land!
Men når vårsol i bakkane blenkte,
Fekk han hug til si heimlege strand.
Og når liene grønkar som hagar,
når det laver av blomar på strå,
og når netter er ljose som dagar,
kan han ingen stad venare sjå.
Mellom bakkar og berg ut med havet
heve nordmannen fenge sin heim,
der han sjølv heve tuftene grave
og sett sjølv sine hus oppå deim.
Hi,
I agree with You. I have seen this commercial in cinema before movie and it left me under great impression.
Regards,
Rafal
This blog looks cool. Which theme have you been using?