Mongoland

Filmed in the Norwegian oil capital of Stavanger, this movie became a big hit in Norway in very short time after theatrical release. Obviously, this is because the film struck a chord with the Norwegian audience. Judging by it's Imdb rating at the time of writing (7.3), the registered users who rated it at the herewith site also mostly enjoyed it.

Now, I never saw it in theatrical release, but borrowed a copy on VHS. I saw no antagonist in the movie. There was a protagonist though, and she was one of several cute girls in the movie - for what it's worth.

I was somewhat disappointed the first half hour or so, but then the film really picked up. (There is also a quite amusing scene in the first half hour, in a bar, which I also think will appeal to many film buffs. Watch it, and you'll know what I mean.. ). I do believe that having some knowledge of and experience with youth culture in south west coast Norway helps in getting all the comedic points and a good feel for the general ambience of the film. It wasn't only a hit in western Norway though, so surely there are more than just a few universal puns in there.

It's a movie about being young and not really having too much of a clue in life, whilst at the same time providing more serious pointers about relationships between people in general and between lovers, either new or established ones as such, more especially. But first and foremost it is a whacky feel-good comedy with a lot of slap stick humour, a touch of crazy comedy and some poignant dialogue. Bare with it for the first half hour, and there's a good chance you'll catch an infatuation with it too ! :)

This is a magnificent movie, with a elegant touch of diversity. This requires of the viewer that he is quite intelligent. A lovely christmas and love story which are told in several stories.

a must for filmlovers

I've been checking out Scandinavian films, because I'm from scandinavia and therefore it seems natural and easy to relate to the films that are from this area of the world. And I've seen a lot of excellent danish movies and also really good Swedish movies, but this is the first really good norwegian movie I have seen:-). Kristoffer Joner is a fantastic actor and I will be looking out for him, he has done a good job in the movies I have seen, and this movie is no exception. The movie itself is captivating and funny at the same time. The main theme is love and the relationship between male and female, and it's played out really well. Both of the main characters play excellent and you believe their story and the side characters are maybe a bit exaggerated but that is what is funny in a movie and it works. Actually maybe they are not so exaggerated, because people who are really their own do exist:-)

You definitely do not need to be from Stavanger to enjoy this movie. I love it, and I'm from the other part of the country. The story itself is not very unique or anything, but the actors are good and the dialogue is extremely amusing. I hope they did a nice job translating it, though.. And after all: a movie which starts and ends with Low's "just like christmas" can't be bad :)

I was fond of the message of this movie: don't let go of the people you love. There is never any certainty of how relationships might work or not work out, but this movie shows that, no matter what, one should listen and follow one's heart at present times. The fear of being left alone make people not dare bet their feelings into relationships that faced a crucial moment at one point. Avoiding and running away is always safer. Mongoland shows that not being able to face yourself gets you in even darker corners of life and mind. Apart from the main message, the movie presents different human behaviors in personal and social contexts and it highlights them through image rather then dialogues.