Folktales

A heartwarming documentary following three teens on a journey of self-discovery at a remote folk school in Norway’s far north. At Pasvik Folk High School in Norway, close to the Russian border and well north of the Arctic Circle, three 19-year-olds are taking part in a nine-month program to learn survival skills, bushcraft, dog sledding and, most importantly, how to understand themselves better. We meet Hege, who is dealing with a traumatic family incident; Bjørn Tore, a socially awkward extrovert; and Romain, a timid and unsure young man from the Netherlands. Navigating the chasm between adolescence and adulthood, the trio face their struggles with selfhood with a little help from encouraging instructors and a gorgeous group of Alaskan huskies. Long-time collaborators Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp) return to youth-focused storytelling in their Sundance-premiering documentary, this time examining Generation Z and the uniquely European concept of folk high schools, which focus on character, identity and community. Backed by a Norwegian crew, the co-directors endured subzero temperatures and a dozen separate visits to capture their subjects. Woven with Norse mythology, stunning shots of the wilderness and clever cinematography tracking the dog sleds, Folktales is a gentle portrait of connection, discovery and transformation. “One of Sundance’s most enjoyable docs ... lovely, absorbing, and patiently shot.” – IndieWire