Los amantes del Círculo Polar (1998)

Director:

Julio Medem

Writer:

Julio Medem (writer)

Release Date:

4 September 1998 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Destiny cannot be denied.

Plot:

Otto and Ana are kids when they meet each other. Their names are palindromes. They meet by chance, people are related by chance...

Plot Keywords:

Sun | Palindrome | Midnight Sun | Love | Sexual Awakening

Awards:

13 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Najwa Nimri	...	Ana joven
Fele Martínez	...	Otto joven (as Fele Martinez)
Nancho Novo	...	Álvaro
Maru Valdivielso	...	Olga
Peru Medem	...	Otto niño
Sara Valiente	...	Ana niña
Víctor Hugo Oliveira	...	Otto adolescente (as Victor Hugo Oliviera)
Kristel Díaz	...	Ana adolescente (as Kristel Diaz)
Pep Munné	...	Javier (as Pep Munne)
Jaroslav Bielski	...	Álvaro Midelman (as jaroslaw Bielski)
Rosa Morales	...	Sofía
Joost Siedhoff	...	Otto Midelman
Beate Jensen	...	Madre de Otto
Petri Heino	...	Aki
Outi Alanen	...	Mensajera

Also Known As:

Les amants du cercle polaire (France)
The Lovers from the North Pole (USA)
The Lovers of the Arctic Circle (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and brief language.

Runtime:

112 min | Brazil:104 min

Country:

Spain | France

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:12 | Mexico:B | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Helsinki, Finland

Company:

Canal+

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Otto jumps from his plane at 66°33"40' North, 02°55"05' East. These are the geographic coordinates that Ana wrote on her letter to Otto, to mark the location where she was staying in Finland (Rovaniemi). But if he really would have used these coordinates he would have jumped right into the Atlantic Ocean. The (almost) correct location of the cottage where Ana was staying is 66°33"40' North, 25°55"05' East. That is also the same location that the old Otto points out on his map when he and Ana meet each other for the first time in his apartment in Rovaniemi.

Quotes:

Otto: Where is my mother?
Ana: Nobody knows, it's up to you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Palindromes (2004)

Soundtrack:

Sinitaivas

Dream Lovers

"Lovers Of The Arctic Circle" When "Map Of The Human Heart" is one of my favorite movies, I can't fault this film for almost stealing the entire concept. A Spanish language film about two children who meet at school and fall in love with each other. Through the years, the two manage to carry out a sexual relationship even as their respective parents marry each other and outside forces try to separate them. The rest of the film is nearly a scene by scene recreation of 1993's "Map". But I stress that I liked this film. Cinematographer Gonzalo F. Berridi and Director Julio Medem make a very specific effort to make their film visually memorable. Some of the shots on display here are breathtaking. Leads Najwa Nimri and Fele Martinez do a wonderful job as the two lovers. Their scenes of courtship are fascinating to watch and Medem sharply chooses to show both sides of the story. By understanding the two perspectives on this plot, the film is that much more satisfying. I enjoyed this story. I applaud the effort the filmmakers made to not tell this story in any way I might have suspected. It's a slippery slope when it comes to melodramatic romance, yet the film is graceful and competent. ---------------- 8