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7.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Selvigs Norgesfilm remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you're looking for big drama or some kind of story, just… walk away. Seriously. Selvigs Norgesfilm is not that. This is for the folks who love old, old films, the kind that feel less like a movie and more like someone just pointed a camera at a thing. If you're into history, especially Nordic history, or just fascinated by how people lived a long time ago, you might find this kinda charming. Everyone else? Probably going to be bored stiff. It's a slow burn, if 'burn' is even the right word for something this gentle.
What we got here is basically a trip through early 20th century Norway, put together by a fellow named Lyder Selvig. You see fjords, naturally. Lots of them. And mountains that just tower over everything, making you feel tiny. ⛰️
The print quality, well, it's what you'd expect for something this old. Sometimes it's a bit fuzzy, a scratch here and there. But that actually adds to the vibe, you know? Like you're peering through a dusty window.
There's this one shot, pretty early on, of a small fishing boat pulling into a tiny harbor. The light hitting the water is just *gorgeous*, even through the grainy film. You can almost feel the chill in the air.
And the people! They're just… doing things. Carrying water, mending nets, walking along dirt paths. Nobody's performing for the camera. They're just living. It feels very authentic, like Selvig just happened to be there.
One scene that stuck with me involved a couple of children playing near a wooden fence. They briefly look at the camera, then quickly look away, almost shy. It's a small moment, easy to miss, but it felt so real. So much more than a staged shot.
The pacing is, let's say, **leisurely**. There are long takes of landscapes that just *sit* there. No quick cuts, no dramatic music (because, hello, silent film!). You just kind of absorb it.
You can tell this wasn't made with any grand cinematic ambition. It's more of a visual record, a document. A moving postcard, maybe? 💌
I did notice the way the light changes throughout. Selvig, or whoever was behind the lens, clearly had an eye for natural light. Sometimes it’s bright and stark, other times it’s soft and hazy. It's pretty effective, makes you feel the different times of day.
There's a sequence of a small village market. People are milling about, bundled up in what look like heavy wools. You can practically *hear* the quiet chatter, the shuffling of feet, even though it's silent. It's not the hustle and bustle of a city market, more like a gentle hum.
Honestly, the whole thing feels like a time machine. You watch these everyday moments, and you realize how much has changed, but also how some things, like the sheer beauty of the Norwegian landscape, endure. It’s kinda humbling.
Some of the boat shots are particularly striking. They just glide across the water, often with the jagged mountains looming in the background. It gives you a sense of scale that's hard to get these days with all our drone shots and fancy camera work.
It's not a movie you'd watch for entertainment, per se. More like something you put on in the background, or really lean into if you want to soak in a very specific historical mood. Don't expect a thrilling plot like Lights Out or anything. It's just… Norway, a long time ago.
I found myself thinking about the effort it took to even make something like this back then. Hauling equipment, developing film, all that. Makes you appreciate the simple footage even more, you know?
Ultimately, Selvigs Norgesfilm is a little historical treasure. It’s got a rough charm. It’s not for everyone, but if you're the right person, it’s a really nice, quiet experience. It's like finding an old photo album and getting lost in someone else's past. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
IMDb 7.2
1923
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