Dina

This is a truly brilliant film. The storyline is fantastic; Herbjørg Wassmo is a very good author. The film is emotionally very strong, and some of the scenes are not for the faint hearted, but nevertheless it is worth seeing. The dialog is English, however most of the actors are not, it is evident that some of the actors are not used to using the English language in their line of work (not everybody goes to Hollywood) and therefore the accents are a bit off so to speak, but this does not make the film any less brilliant. It is my opinion that the actors have had the chance to show just how good they are at ACTING, rather than their ability to pronounce the English language. This is absolutely a film worth seeing, even if you're English and the actors are not!

I Am Dina is a powerful epic, which likes Scandinavia has never produced before. The tragic story of Dina, who accidently kills her mother, touches and effects you so much, that you can't get it out of your mind when you leave the cinema.

The film is brilliantly directed by Dane, Ole Bornedal. He has previously directed the world famous thriller Nightwatch, starring Nick Nolte. He can create warmth in one scene, and horrifying pictures in the next. It's powerful, and it works.

Some one who also is worth mentioning, is the lead actress, Maria Bonnevie. She is brilliant, and powerful. You really feel with this poor girl, who has been treated so badly by life. She deserves all the Oscars in the world for her great performance.

Also the score, the art direction and the cinematography is great. I truly hope and wish that I Am Dina will be nominated for a handful of Oscars in march 2003. Only time will tell.

So do it. Go watch it. It's worth it!

"I am Dina" has a lot of good actors. Many of them are not as familiar with the English language. That makes the acting a bit stiff. The main characters, however are doing fine. Dina is played with a lot of heart and passion. The story is true to the book, but tries to say too much in too little time. The depth is created by the actors, in each scene, not by the writers. The setting and the costumes are wonderfully balanced. There are not too many panoramic views and colorful costumes. Everything is carefully balanced, as to not steal focus from the intense acting. I´m especially impressed with Hans Matheson, who plays Tomas, the stableboy. The scenes with Tomas and Dina are very intense and powerful. There is an energy between them, that reaches all the way to the back rows of the theater

This movie is one of the best cast films I have ever seen.

The acting from Maria Bonnevie(Dina)is amazing. Totally realistic in a not-over-the-top way. The script is fantastic ("then my momma left me" - be aware that this film is primarily Norwegian with a mix of Danish/French/Swedish - not American - and is set in the 1860's). Supporting actors like Gerard Depardieu, Hans Matheson and Mads Mikkelsen really sets it off. And I don't know where they found the young-en to play the young Dina but she was perfect. To round it off you have breathtaking scenery and a brilliant soundtrack.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good drama.

First I was sick, then I was enthralled, in the end I was totally convinced that this is one movie worth seeing. I totally agree with other comments noting that the acting should have been kept in Norwegian, but alas, international budgets require international language.

But - but - the awkward phrases are soon forgotten when you're sucked into the powerful story of a psychotic Norwegian woman, battling with her past, the men around her and her own role in a very restricted provincial community. Dina is by no means the weakest woman potrayed on screen, rather her person will probably go over into film history as *the* strongest and most strong-willed female heroine ever in Scandinavian movie history.

The story's gaudy, vulgar, perverse and absolutely mesmerizing. I found myself hating this woman and yet feel very strongly for her. See it, and see if you agree with this uncompromising story.