Butterfly

Itonje Søimer Guttormsen’s second feature film is Månedens Vegavenn-film (Vega Scene’s film of the month) in October (https://www.vegascene.no/nyheter/manedens-vegavenn-film).

31.oktober: Regirom with a director’s discussion. More information at the end of the description.

—

Truls Foss, programme director at Vega Scene cinema, on why the film was selected as Månedens Vegavenn-film in October:

Itonje Søimer Guttormsen’s second feature film, Butterfly, follows in the spiritual footsteps of Gritt (2021), while also being something entirely different. We follow two sisters on separate journeys, both outward and inward, and on their shared journey connected to their eccentric mother Vera, portrayed exceptionally by Lillian Müller. The film features outstanding performances throughout; Renate Reinsve and Helene Bjørneby are movingly convincing as the contrasting sisters Lily and Diana.

Butterfly is also a journey for us as an audience. Although many see the film as niche and eccentric, more people than you might think will relate to one or more of the treats in this inspired and complex bag of sweets. Søimer Guttormsen’s ability to balance the inner and outer worlds—the existential journey and razor-sharp observations of the material world we move through—is masterful. From a breakfast buffet and Bamse at an all-inclusive hotel in Gran Canaria, via Hamburg’s free alternative performance scene and caves with ceremonies and sweat lodges, to swimming pools with screaming kids and creaking latex. Everything exists side by side, and that is part of what makes Butterfly feel so unique and real.

Like Gritt, I find Butterfly unruly, punk and hard to pin down, and afterwards you feel freer and more inspired in your encounter with the world.

About the film:

Half-sisters Lily (Renate Reinsve) and Diana (Helene Bjørneby) reluctantly return to Gran Canaria, where their mother has died in mysterious circumstances. When the sisters discover that their mother lived a life entirely unknown to them, they begin a journey in her wild footsteps. We are taken from the tourist machine to the hidden heart of Gran Canaria—an alternative universe in the Canarian mountains.

Butterfly introduces us to a world rich in colour, rituals and emotion, captivating with a tone that is both humorous and deeply moving. Butterfly is a life-affirming and original cinema experience, starring Reinsve and Bjørnebye as the sisters, Lillian Müller as their mother, and Numan Acar as her much younger lover. The film was shot in real locations, both in “Norwegian Granca” and in surroundings unfamiliar to most Norwegians.

On 27.8, Butterfly won the Critics’ Award at Den norske filmfestivalen.

“Butterfly is a humorous and visual masterpiece that takes its characters and setting with the utmost seriousness” (9/10 tbatba.no (https://www.tbatba.no/butterfly-anmeldelse/))

• ƸӜƷ -

31.oktober Regirom

After the screening, there will be a director’s discussion between Itonje Søimer Guttormsen and fellow director Ole Giæver.

Regirom is a unique opportunity for Norwegian film directors to get together for professional evenings. We screen a current Norwegian feature film and invite its director to talk with another director, with an opportunity for audience questions. The focus is on the work of directing and the exchange of experiences.

Discounted tickets are available for NFR members; see the membership email for the code.

ENGLISH:

Half-sisters Lily and Diana reluctantly return to Gran Canaria, where their mother has died in mysterious circumstances.

When they discover she has tried to establish a retreat centre at the island, they are drawn into a series of events that have unexpected consequences. We are taken on a journey in the mother's wild footsteps, from the tourist machine to the hidden heart of Gran Canaria – an alternative universe in the Canarian mountains.

BUTTERFLY introduces us to a world rich in colour, rituals and emotion, captivating with a tone that is both humorous and deeply moving.