WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Throughout August, the Clark Art Institute and Images Cinema present four Norwegian films in conjunction with the exhibition "Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway." 

 

This virtual film series is free, and each film can be viewed online for a week. 

 

"Astrup: Catching the Flame" (August 4–10)

The series kicks off with "Catching the Flame" (Astrup: Flammen Over Jølster) (2019), directed by Pål Øie. The film tells the life story of Nikolai Astrup, one of Norway's greatest and most original painters. Growing up in a strict religious community, Astrup broke with his father, a Lutheran priest, at a young age and escaped to the continent to immerse himself in the world of art. Returning to his native Jølster, he frequently clashed with the small-minded locals, but he also found inspiration in the love of his wife Engel and the natural beauty of the valleys of western Norway. Danish actor Thure Lindhardt stars as an artist who stands today as one of Norway's greats. (Run time: 1 hour, 19 minutes) 

 

"Hope" (August 11–17) 

Written and directed by Maria Sødahl—who based the film on her own experiences—"Hope" (Håp) (2019) is a moving, believable drama about adults for adults. It tells the story of Anja and Tomas, longtime romantic partners who have a large, blended family of children and stepchildren. Just as a Christmas weekend is about to start, Anja receives a terminal medical diagnosis. Without sentimentality, the film explores how the couple is forced to recalibrate their relationship in ways that only a profound crisis can inspire, as their love story moves into unchartered territory. Stars Stellan Skarsgård and Andrea Bræin Hovig. (Run time: 2 hours, 10 minutes) 

 

"What Will People Say" (August 18–24) 

Sixteen-year-old Nisha lives a double life. When out with her friends, she's a regular Norwegian teenager. At home with her family, she is the perfect Pakistani daughter. But when her father catches her alone with her boyfriend, Nisha's two worlds brutally collide. Winner of Audience Awards at AFI Fest and the Les Arcs European Film Festival, What Will People Say (Hva vil folk si) (2017) is a tense and moving drama about women's rights, immigrant identity and familial duties based on director Iram Haq's own experiences as a young Pakistani woman in Norway. Maria Mozhdah stars. (Run time: 1 hour, 46 minutes) 

 

"The Men's Room" (August 25 –31) 

In the award-winning documentary, directed by Petter Sommer and Jo Vemund Svendsen, twenty-five middle-aged rockers get together every Tuesday night at an Oslo bar to sing in a choir and drink beer. It's all good rowdy fun, until their beloved conductor, Ivar, is diagnosed with cancer and given just three months left to live. He refuses to die, however, before their biggest gig ever: opening for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in front of 10,000 people. Featuring some unconventional and unexpected song choices, The Men's Room (For vi er gutta) (2018) is a moving, yet lighthearted film about music, mortality, and male bonding. (Run time: 1 hour, 14 minutes)

 

All four films can be viewed through the Images Cinema Online platform at https://watch.eventive.org/imagesvirtual.