Det norske hus

This movie is a parody of recent developments where immigrants in some countries must prove their good intentions. For example in America, immigrants are told to learn the national anthem and pledge their loyalty.

In this movie, immigrants are tested through a series of absurd trials to prove they are qualified for living in Norway.

Now, this movie might be an ironic movie which is trying to ridicule these steps, whoch in many cases can make it easier for immigrants to understand the country they have chosen to immigrate to.

What is so funny in this movie is that many of the trials are just stupid and unecessary, for ezample learning to do Sunday walks. Norwegians love hiking in nature, so it is a trial or test the immigrants must pass.

This movie is perhaps easiest to understand for Norwegians, as we know and understand the quirkiness of our own nature. I still believe this movie could be enjoyed by people living in other countries (including ilmigrants!)

A beautifully made film about the Kafkaesque (sur)reality of immigration bureaucracy in Norway. Made (mainly) by Norwegians, which means a lot.

Being an immigrant in Norway myself (albeit "white" and of North European origin), I can testify to the spirit of the story.

While entertaining and comical, the film addresses important issues that are definitely not limited to Norway.

Why did I like this movie so much ? Because 40 years ago, during Iran/ Irak war , I flee to Norway from Tehran. I was a teenager , eager to please & to be accepted. I learnt the Norsk language faster & better than anyone ever had before. I totally assimilated in the society. Walked & talked like them. Started medical school after one year. I have a lot of fantastic things to say about the Norway as country & it's people. Most importantly they gave me a refuge when I needed it. But I had so much to teach them too. Persian culture, food , generosity and hospitality. Eventually when I no longer needed nor cared, if they accept me as one of them ( you pass testes like in the film every single day for as many years as you live there), I became truly happy. Proud of myself, of the woman & the doctor I became. I kept the good from both cultures and didn't care for the bad.

The strengths of this comedy lies in how it deals with Norwegian culture and bureaucracy. There are a lot of good laughs to be had. In particular the swearing scene. Even if swearing could be cheap fun, this one escalated nicely.

As for a comment on immigration policy it's not so good simply because the immigrants in the movie are without personality or history. Even the main character Ramin we learn nothing about. He's just a happy go lucky man who loves his mother. The actual system in Norway tries to get the "correct" refugees and most of us can see how this could be improved. But in the movie all immigrants are the same.

Anyway, it's still a very funny comedy taken as a comment on Norwegian culture.

This superb film seems to have sunk without a trace and that is such a shame since it is supremely relevant in these times.

The story tracks a well-meaning and friendly migrant as he tries to find his path through the vagaries of the Norwegian asylum system.

There are some beautiful comic moments but the overall message is of course a heavy one.

I thought this film was very wellmade. Unfortunately the pan-European distributors were not of the same mind. I saw this film at a film festival hosted by he lovely Lucerna cinema in Prague but unfortunately i never heard anything about it again..