Lars Erlend Tubaas Oymo – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

FOLKTALES – Review by Liz Braun

July 19, 2025 Liz Braun Arctic survival, dog sledding, folk schools, Folktales, heidi ewing, Lars Erlend Tubaas Oymo, Norway, Pasvik Folk High School, rachel grady, Tor Edvin Eliassen

Folktales is a beautiful little gem about young people, dog sledding and building character in the farthest northern reaches of Norway. The documentary — all fresh-faced, sincere kids finding their purpose in a magnificent wilderness setting — is a coming-of-age story that feels a million miles away from the current social chaos in America. Given that the film is from Jesus Camp directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, it’s impossible not to wonder about Folktales‘ possible political intent.

Reviews

SONGS OF THE EARTH – Review by Liz Braun

May 16, 2024May 18, 2024 Liz Braun documentary, Lars Erlend Tubaas Oymo, Margareth Olin, Norway, norwegian films, Oldedalen valley, Songs of Earth

In sight and sound, Songs of Earth is remarkable. Filmmaker Mrgreth Olin makes it clear in a prologue that her film is a love letter to her parents and ancestors and to the land they love so much. But the film is also a gentle reminder that all things must pass. Given that her parents are no longer young, her father’s comments on time, grief and the inevitability of generations following one another set the tone for what follows. The film is not bittersweet, exactly, but it is unusually affecting, and perhaps more so for any viewer who is likewise no longer young.