80 grader aust for Birdland (2000)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Sølvi A. Lindseth

Writer:

Frode Grytten (story)

Plot:

The members of an American jazz band get lost in the Norwegian countryside and find themselves stranded on a remote farm. The old man who lives there believes they have come to take him to the old people's home. |

Plot Keywords:

Jazz | Norway

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Daryl Barber	...	Saxophonist
Fred Caruthels	...	Pianist
David Malatesta	...	Driver
Charles Mena	...	Drummer
Olav Niten Mannsåker	...	Old Man

Also Known As:

80 Degrees East of Birdland (International: English title)

Country:

Norway

Language:

Norwegian | English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Odda, Norway

Company:

Norsk Film

Small but perfectly formed.

This short film is very atmospheric, funny and life-affirming without being sentimental. Its tone and direction have shades of David Lynch, it could be the outskirts of Twin Peaks but in fact it's the wilds of Norway. An American jazzband get lost and stop to seek direction from an old man who thinks they've come to take him to an old folks home.

Despite being only six minutes long the characters are rapidly established and likeable. I was left feeling that the adventure had only just started and longed to know more. As a film, however, it's a neat, near-perfect thing. No room for a superfluous line or wasted scene. Worth a look although I suspect it will be hard to find outside of Norway itself.