‘Folktales’ Review: ‘Jesus Camp’ Directors Head to Norway for a Frigid, Furry and Very Sweet Coming-of-Age Doc

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A heartwarming, crowd-pleasing film that contrasts a frosty, uninviting setting, “Folktales” by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady has the advantage of following in the footsteps of Sundance, which typically guarantees a receptive viewership.

I’d be thrilled to share a unique take on documentaries, from my perspective as a passionate fan: Instead of the original “Boys State” or “Girls State” focusing on American civics, imagine a heartwarming narrative where Norwegian dogsledding is the central theme! The film could still capture the essence of teamwork, leadership, and camaraderie, but with the stunning backdrop of the Arctic landscape and the resilient spirits of those who brave the icy terrain. What an exciting adventure that would be!

Just as “Jesus Camp” follows children’s spiritual journey, “Folktales” shows young people finding personal development through interactions with dogs rather than religious beliefs.

Regardless of the perspective, “Folktales” is a heartwarming coming-of-age documentary that compensates for its lack of complexity with an abundance of shrewdly anthropomorphized canine characters. This movie thrives when watched in a group, not merely to enjoy its luxuriant fur and chilling visuals on the largest screen available, but to participate in a shared tradition where everyone collectively awws at and encourages the animals portrayed.

Yes. There are humans in Folktales as well.

The film is located at Pasvik Folk High School, nestled high up in Norway. Originally created to educate rural communities, this school now functions as an international magnet school, drawing teenagers between high school and their future. Despite the principal’s initial assertion that Pasvik isn’t a “gap year” program, it indeed serves as a gap year experience. Here, students seek respite from the fast pace and technology of contemporary life, using their time to master skills like sledding and survival techniques in an attempt to rekindle their ancient instincts.

In my perspective as an enthusiast, I’d say: “I’ve noticed that the curriculum at these folk schools was deeply immersed in Norse folklore and mythology, particularly the tales of Odin and the Norns, who were akin to the Fates in Greek mythology. The documentary employs brief reenactments and somewhat unclear narrative devices to weave together a modern narrative with these ancient legends.

Perhaps to mirror the three Norns, Folktales keeps its eye primarily on three affable kids.

Hege is preoccupied with gaining acceptance from others and is grappling with the aftermath of her father’s recent murder.

Bjørn Tore, who’s more into books and science than sports, struggles to make friends due to the perception that he can be somewhat bothersome by others.

Romain, a native of the Netherlands, struggles with severe anxiety, shares understandable feelings of self-doubt, and seems uninterested in exploring or studying natural phenomena.

Throughout the documentary, it becomes clear that each of the three characters struggles uniquely, yet all find solace and growth through an unexpected source – remarkably supportive dogs.

At Pasvik, there’s a large kennel filled with numerous dogs, and throughout a nine-month course, the kids will be guided by trainers Iselin and Thor-Atle who are always on camera. They will learn to care for these exceptional dogs, master sledding skills, and embark on regular, progressively independent wilderness journeys, accompanied only by their remarkable dogs, minimal tools, and supplies.

In this documentary, Hege, Bjørn Tore, and Romain will undergo transformative experiences over approximately 106 minutes. These lessons, while not always following predictable paths, will significantly impact their lives forever. The film may at times seem blatant in its exploration of their journey; I might have been driven to toss lutefisk at the screen from hearing too many tales about the Norns and their crucial words for humanity. However, the character development is soft and heartwarming, and the directors avoid the claim that a single night spent outdoors with an axe, a blue-eyed husky, and no more than basic survival skills will be sufficient to ensure success in life. This husky, by the way, is remarkably competent.

Under Lars Erlend Tubaas Øymo’s direction as director of photography and Tor Edvin Eliassen serving as cinematographer, the documentary Folktales is masterfully captured. It skillfully intertwines the emotional intimacy between its human subjects and canine counterparts – the vivid red-tinted close-ups of dog expressions linger in your mind even after the film ends – with sweeping aerial drone shots that have become synonymous with modern documentaries today. To prevent the documentary from becoming too abstract or dreamlike, it occasionally offers a jolt of energy with the chaotic motion of a dogsled being steered clumsily through the snow, reminiscent of a sudden plunge into icy water (a challenging exercise the students use to foster resilience).

The ease with which subjects interact with Ewing and Grady leads to moments of surprising honesty, such as Hege’s account of her father’s death, but this openness tends to be superficial, mirroring the documentary’s portrayal of the school overall. Despite some similarities to the Norns, having just three subjects feels restrictive. I often found myself curious about the other students in the background and what aspects of their studies didn’t involve survival or dogs. Occasionally, someone speaks French or Spanish, sparking curiosity about why they chose Pasvik over other schools with similar characteristics.

However, you encounter instances where Hege teaches her dogs to howl, Bjørn Tore and Romain forging friendship, or a teacher proudly observing a student’s metamorphosis – these moments appear less shallow, but rather simple or pure, contributing to an engaging, absorbing educational experience.

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2025-01-26 02:55