Janicke Askevold’s Solomamma wins Ecumenical Jury Award in Locarno
Janicke Askevold’s feature debut Solomamma has won the Ecumenical Jury Award at this year’s Locarno Film Festival where it had its world. Starring Lisa Loven Kongsli (Force Majeure,Turist) and Herbert Nordrum (The Worst Person in The World), the film is represented internationally by Playtime.
Solomamma explores single motherhood through Edith (Loven Kongsli), who hides her identity from her son’s sperm donor father (Nordrum). Torn between desire, duty and identity, she navigates love, ethics and motherhood in a deeply personal journey of self-discovery.
“A welcome breath of fresh air in a Locarno competition not short on dull auteur films” - 'Le Temps' (CH)
The film was well received by both audience and press. Swiss newspaper ‘Le Temps’ calls it “a welcome breath of fresh air in a Locarno competition not short on dull auteur films”, while ‘Cineuropa’ writes that it is “full of rejuvenating humour”. ‘Loud and Clear’ considers it “a solid first film that generally and commendably avoids the pitfalls of easy humorous shortcuts”. Italian daily ‘Corriere della Sera’ mentions that the film avoids clichés. For “Le Polyester’, “much of the credit also goers to the performances.” ‘High On Films’ concludes that Solomamma “does everything you can ask. It enthrals, renders queasiness, moves and moves to a place of assured understanding.”
“Solomamma explores the complexities of solo motherhood, the ethical dilemmas and emotional struggles faced by women" - Janicke Askevold
“The desire to have children and family is a dream many people share,” says the first-time director. “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 role as a mother.”
Askevold is a graduate of the Paris-based Atelier Théâtral de Création. Since then, she has directed several stage productions in the city. Her short film, Le contrat, was part of the Competition programme at the Grimstad Short Film Festival in 2020, while her made-for-television movie Sammen alene (Together Alone) received a limited theatrical release during Covid in 2021.
Solomamma is her debut feature film supported by the Norwegian Film Institute (NFI) via its NEO initiative.
The film is produced by Magnus Nygaard Albertsen, Rebekka Rognøy and Gary Cranner for Bacon Pictures Oslo, backed by the Bacon group, a renowned pan-Scandinavian production house for high end commercials, led by CEO Magne Lyngner, who is building a robust portfolio of film of artistically ambitious director-driven feature films. Solomamma also marks Bacon’s first feature film production. Scanbox plans to release the film at home during Spring 2026.
Ecumenical Jury statement: "Solomamma raises important ethical questions about origin, identity and belonging: Who is the author of life? What is the miracle of conception and birth when we think about life in medical-technical paradigms? What is the source and responsibility of a new life and the uncontrollable consequences of such a choice ? Can a «Solomamma» take responsibility for her decisions and respect freedom, her own, her child’s and the donor’s ? This film questions us about the conditions for living independently while remaining connected to others."
The Ecumenical Jury Award is presented by the Reformed Churches and the Catholic Church of Switzerland. Attached to the award is a CHF 10,000 prize for the film’s director.
SOLOMAMMA epk (EN)
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Christian De Schutter
