Another Norwegian film is set to be shown in US cinemas, after director Hans Petter Moland’s latest production won good reviews from critics and audiences.

The film, called En ganske snill mann (literally, “A quite kind man”), has been translated into English as “A Somewhat Gentle Man” and Strand Releasing has bought the rights for its US distribution.
It stars Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard as a man just released from prison after serving a lengthy term for murder. The film is a dark, criminal comedy set in Oslo but not likely to please tourism promotion officials, as it portrays the ugliest parts of town, miserable accommodation and a depressing if amusing parade of low-life characters.
The film won the public’s prize at the Berlin Film Festival and has received good reviews both in Norway and abroad. Some critics have lauded Moland’s “cool, deceptively simple minimalism,” (external link) while others say Moland is the closest thing Norway has to the Coen brothers, known for their offbeat, dark comedies.
En ganske snill mann is expected to premier in the US in the late autumn, most likely in New York and Los Angeles and at least three other American cities. Rights to its distribution have also been sold to 20 other countries.
Views and News staff