Janicke Askevold’s Solomamma in International Competition in Locarno

Janicke Askevold, Lisa Loven Kongsli, co-scriptwriter Mads Stegger, DoP Torjus Thesen and producers Rebekka Rognøy, Magnys Nygaard Albertsen, Gary Cranner and Magne Lyngner are expected to be in Locarno for a short time.

Please do send your interview and screener link requests to christian@hypepark.be.

SYNOPSIS

Edith, a journalist in her 40s, chose to become a single mother through an anonymous sperm donor, believing she can build a life on her own terms. She is now the happy mother of a five-year-old son. But the emotional weight of parenting alone begins to wear on her, and doubts creep in. When she unexpectedly discovers the donor’s identity, a nearby successful game developer named Niels, curiosity leads her to meet him on the pretext of an interview.

What begins as a calculated encounter gradually deepens into a genuine connection, driving Edith to sink deeper into lies and endanger the fragile balance of the life she has built.

JANICKE ASKEVOLD ABOUT HER FILM

The desire to have children and family is a dream many people share. Solomamma explores the complexities of solo motherhood, the ethical dilemmas and emotional struggles faced by women like Edith, who develops feelings for her son’s biological father without revealing her true identity. The film delves into the internal conflict of balancing her desires, societal expectations, and her role as a mother, showing a journey of self-discovery.

Solomamma explores single motherhood through Edith, who hides her identity from her son’s father. Torn between desire, duty and identity, she navigates love, ethics and motherhood in a deeply personal journey.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Janicke Askevold is a graduate of the Atelier Theatral de Création in Paris. Since then, she has directed several stage productions in Paris. Her short film Le Contrat was part of the competition programme at the Grimstad Short Film Festival in 2020, and her made-for-television movie Sammen alene (Together Alone) even received a limited theatrical release during Covid in 2021. Solomamma is her first feature film supported by the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) via its NEO initiative.

SolomammaSolomammaSolomamma

Janicke AskevoldGary CrannerRebekka Rognøy

NORWEGIAN WAVE

Norway has been stacking up awards in recent years - it’s been nothing short of spectacular! In addition to the aforementioned Loveable, this year alone Dreams, the grand finale of Dag Johan Haugerud’s trilogy, claimed the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlinale, while Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value took home the Grand Prix at Cannes. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg: Norway isn’t just winning, it’s dominating. Sitting proudly at the top of the World Film Fest Awards ranking, it’s safe to say the Norwegian wave seems unstoppable. Will Solomamma be the next addition on the growing list?

CREDITS

Solomamma is produced by Rebekka Rognøy, Magnus Nygaard Albertsen and Gary Cranner for Bacon Pictures (Norway), in co-production with Dansu Films (Lithuania), Mistrus Media (Latvia), It’s Alive (Finland) and Bacon Pictures CPH (Denmark). Solomamma marks Janicke Askevold’s feature debut. The film is based on an original screenplay by Jørgen Færøy Flasnes, Mads Stegger and Askevold. Torjus Thesen is DoP, while Patrick Larsgaard signed for the editing. Lisa Loven Kongsli and Herbert Nordrum are sharing the major roles.

The film received support from the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) via NEO, a talent and project development initiative aimed at amplifying fresh voices in Norwegian film and series production.

Christian De Schutter

Hype Park

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