The Long Road to the Director's Chair to open Berlinale Forum
Vibeke Løkkeberg's The Long Road to the Director’s Chair is a journey through time; a celebration of female courage and creativity and a reminder that the fight for equality in the arts must never be forgotten.
Both Vibeke Løkkeberg and producer Anders Tangen will be in Berlin to attend the world premiere and are available for interviews and photo shoots. They will be joined by some of the women interviewed back in 1973 for the documentary.
The Long Road to the Director’s Chair by Vibeke Løkkeberg
Short synopsis: The Long Road to the Director’s Chair is a groundbreaking and poetic documentary, woven from unique and compelling archival footage which chronicles the rise of the feminist movement in the 1970s. The film draws on materials made during the inaugural International Women’s Film Seminar at Arsenal Cinema that took place in Berlin in November 1973. Through interviews with female filmmakers from around the globe, it takes us on an inspiring journey of ambition, courage and the relentless pursuit of equality.
With its blend of raw authenticity and artistic innovation, this documentary will move, challenge and inspire viewers. It confronts us with past battles… battles that still are unresolved.
About the director: Born in 1945 in Bergen (Norway), Vibeke Løkkeberg is renowned for her groundbreaking and often controversial films such as Løperjenten (The Story of Camilla, 1981) and Hud (Skin, 1986) in which she refined her uncompromising vision and storytelling prowess. In addition to her work in film, Løkkeberg is also a prolific novelist. In 2005, she was appointed Cavalieri by the Italian President and in 2015, she received the Honorary Amanda Award for her contributions to Norwegian cinema.
The unexpected find of footage shot in 1973 reignited Løkkeberg’s artistic vision, proving that the raw material was more than a collection of interviews: it was a treasure trove of authentic stories, forming the foundation for a powerful narrative film about women’s rights, equality and creativity.
About the producer: The Long Road to the Director’s Chair is produced by Anders Tangen, one of Scandinavia’s most prolific producers with a career spanning more than 30 years of national and international successes in both film and TV.
A pioneer in producing content for the international streaming market, he has shown time and time again that he possesses an infallible instinct for what audiences like.
Anders previously produced massive hits like Lillyhammer, Home for Christmas, Magnus, One Night, Norsemen, Easy Peasy and the third season of what probably has been Scandinavia’s biggest hit series of the last few years - Exit.
About the production: The footage shot in 1973 remained untouched for nearly 50 years as the (predominantly male) management of state-owned broadcaster NRK declined to air the material. In 2019, the film reels were rediscovered in the archives of the National Library of Norway. This unexpected find reignited Løkkeberg’s artistic vision, proving that the raw material was more than a collection of interviews: it was a treasure trove of authentic stories, forming the foundation for a powerful narrative film about women’s rights, equality and creativity.
A screener link for (p)review purposes, as well as an epk and stills are available on request: christian@hypepark.be
Christian De Schutter
