Opening and Closing show - VisitBrussels

TROLL HUNTER (THE) (André Øvredal/Norway)An André Øvredal filmScreenplay: André ØvredalCast: Otto Jespersen, Hans Morten Hansen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Johanna Morck, Knut Naerum, Robert Stoltenberg, Glenn ErlandTosterudRunning time: 90 min.Three students have dug up a juicy one-of-a-kind subject for their final researchproject: the unexplained death of several bears in the Scandinavian Forests. Tobe honest, it beats a cheap documentary about the procreation of jellyfish inIceland’s cold deep-sea. They quickly realize that poaching is not the answer,unless you use a silent rocket launcher. They meet a mysterious guy, owner ofan old Jeep strangely scratched all over, which could scare Cujo out of hisgrave. Intrigued and excited, our three students decide to track him during hisnocturnal walks into the depths of the Norwegian’s woods. It seems ratherobvious that he is not the kind that picks mushrooms and strawberries, butwhile they are watching him, he rushes toward our students, screaming like aman possessed. But what’s that he’s yelling? "Broll"? "Croll"? "Proll"? Did hesay “Troll”?Reality horror has taken a new direction. After an endless stream of low budgetfare with shaky cameras trying to hide there’s actually nothing to see, we’renow treated to well-written movies with solid budgets and especially… credible sfx (just think Cloverfield andRec). The cream of this recent crop comes from Norway and you don’t need Scandinavian roots toappreciate how the troll mythology has been integrated into the story. Director Andre Ovredal effortlesslyblends tension and humor with a healthy dose of satire. Troll Hunter is one of those films you don’t want tomiss at this year’s BIFFF.16