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LOVEABLE

( 2024 )
Official Selection Out of Competition |
 
Norway
 |
 Norwegian |
 100 min

About the film

After years of marriage, Maria's husband announces he wants a divorce. She realizes she must confront herself, and thus starts a journey toward self-knowledge, growth, and addressing her unconscious, dysfunctional patterns.

Director

Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Lilja Ingolfsdottir is a Norwegian director and screenwriter who studied film in London and Prague. She has created several short films that have been screened at various international festivals, some of which have won awards, including Neglect (2010), Hong Kong (2015), and What We Fear (2020). Most of her works have been independently produced through her own company, often in collaboration with her husband, a cinematographer. Her debut feature film, Loveable (2024) premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival this year, where it won five awards.

Producer

Thomas Robsahm

Production Company

Screenplay

Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Cinematography

Øystein Mamen

Editing

Lilja Ingolfsdottir, Anton Robsahm

Sound

Bror Kristiansen

Cast

Helga Guren, Oddgeir Thune, Elisabeth Sand

Contacts

International Sales: Norwegian Film Institute, Knut Skinnaro, knut.skinnarmo@nfi.no

Producer

Thomas Robsahm

Production Company

Screenplay

Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Cinematography

Øystein Mamen

Editing

Lilja Ingolfsdottir, Anton Robsahm

Sound

Bror Kristiansen

Cast

Helga Guren, Oddgeir Thune, Elisabeth Sand

Contacts

International Sales: Norwegian Film Institute, Knut Skinnaro, knut.skinnarmo@nfi.no

More About Film

Loveable is the debut feature film by Norwegian director Lilja Ingolfsdottir. It tells the story of Maria (Helga Gorn), who is trying to balance her career, raise her children, and manage her household. Her husband (Oddgeir Thune) has asked for a divorce, leaving her to face these challenges alone. Maria constantly juggles societal expectations and her own personal ones, becoming overwhelmed by the details of her daily life, especially with her young son and rebellious teenage daughter. The film realistically explores emotions through a series of sensitive, intertwined scenes, providing a poignant reflection on the role of women in modern society. It illustrates how the pursuit of equality within a relationship can create tension and how a woman’s separation from her partner can ultimately lead to a deeper connection with herself and a journey of self-discovery.The film takes a psychologically complex approach to Maria’s character, interspersed with moments of melodrama. Through therapy sessions and family confrontations, we follow her gradual journey toward the source of her anger. In the second half, the narrative shifts notably, revealing deeper layers of Maria’s personality. Rather than focusing solely on the conflicts of marriage and separation, the film delves into themes of personal identity, unresolved anger, and self-exploration amidst the chaos of family dynamics, steering away from typical separation narratives.There’s a degree of ambiguity in the film’s portrayal of its characters, as none are depicted as  victims or as villains, offering a balanced perspective on both sides. The film suggests that Maria is not entirely a victim, but an active participant in her circumstances. Helga Gorn delivers a nuanced performance, embodying a range of contradictions that bridge the gap between inner turmoil and outward expression. Overall, Loveable goes beyond merely depicting the breakdown of a marriage, offering an intricate inventory of frustrations that can accumulate and impact one’s life and relationships with others.Hauvick Habéchian

Producer

Thomas Robsahm

Screenplay

Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Cinematography

Øystein Mamen

Editing

Lilja Ingolfsdottir, Anton Robsahm

Sound

Bror Kristiansen

Cast

Helga Guren, Oddgeir Thune, Elisabeth Sand

Contact

International Sales: Norwegian Film Institute, Knut Skinnaro, knut.skinnarmo@nfi.no

More About Film

Loveable is the debut feature film by Norwegian director Lilja Ingolfsdottir. It tells the story of Maria (Helga Gorn), who is trying to balance her career, raise her children, and manage her household. Her husband (Oddgeir Thune) has asked for a divorce, leaving her to face these challenges alone. Maria constantly juggles societal expectations and her own personal ones, becoming overwhelmed by the details of her daily life, especially with her young son and rebellious teenage daughter. The film realistically explores emotions through a series of sensitive, intertwined scenes, providing a poignant reflection on the role of women in modern society. It illustrates how the pursuit of equality within a relationship can create tension and how a woman’s separation from her partner can ultimately lead to a deeper connection with herself and a journey of self-discovery.The film takes a psychologically complex approach to Maria's character, interspersed with moments of melodrama. Through therapy sessions and family confrontations, we follow her gradual journey toward the source of her anger. In the second half, the narrative shifts notably, revealing deeper layers of Maria's personality. Rather than focusing solely on the conflicts of marriage and separation, the film delves into themes of personal identity, unresolved anger, and self-exploration amidst the chaos of family dynamics, steering away from typical separation narratives.There’s a degree of ambiguity in the film's portrayal of its characters, as none are depicted as  victims or as villains, offering a balanced perspective on both sides. The film suggests that Maria is not entirely a victim, but an active participant in her circumstances. Helga Gorn delivers a nuanced performance, embodying a range of contradictions that bridge the gap between inner turmoil and outward expression. Overall, Loveable goes beyond merely depicting the breakdown of a marriage, offering an intricate inventory of frustrations that can accumulate and impact one’s life and relationships with others.Hauvick Habéchian