Women Make Waves International Film Festival

Program

Solace

Hilde K. KJØS Karoline GRINDAKER 2011 Norway Documentary color 68min Norwegian 35mm
Solace is a film about young women who went out with a desire to help, for later to be associated with some of the most gruesome acts of the twentieth century. At the end of the road they finally dare to reveal some of their innermost painful memories, letting us in to their long-time secrete rooms for the first time. "There are many years of my life I can never talk about," Bjorg says hesitatingly. In occupied Norway 450 women reported for duty as nurses at German field hospitals. They cared for Germans but also for wounded soldiers from other nations. These women were called "the front nurses" and were sentenced for treason when they came home, despite many protests, including from the International Red Cross. In this documentary, we meet several of them, who in the concluding phase of life now talk about the choice they made during the war. With its beautiful historical images and precious footages, the film tries to represent the front nurses' lives during the war. The composition of the frames creates a tranquil atmosphere. The tone of the film is just like how the characters tell the story: peaceful and gentle, even though the words are in fact accusation. At the same time, the poetic emptiness around the characters responds to the gaze that often appears in old ages.

Director

Hilde K. KJØS

Hilde K. KJØS (b. 1974) studied Art History at the University of Oslo, and holds a BA in Photography and Imaging from the Manchester Metropolitan University.

Karoline GRINDAKER

Karoline GRINDAKER (b. 1974) holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Film Studies from the Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College in Great Britain. She has been involved in numerous film and TV projects in London.

Hilde K. KJØS

2011 Solace

Karoline GRINDAKER

2011 Solace

Sales Company / Norwegian Film Institute

Email: documentaries@nfi.no