Meet the 2012 SXSW Filmmakers #21: Aleksander L. Nordaas, ‘Thale’
Aleksander L. Nordaas’ “Thale” is his second feature as writer-director. Nordaas, who hails from Mosjøen, Norway, believes film offers a unique way of telling stories, saying; “The content is one thing, the wrapping another.” His experience as a photographer has made him focus on color, composition and set design — what he calls “the very essence of the film medium.” He also build the sets, shot and edited the film. He’s always lived in Mosjøen, where “Thale” was shot; he admits “I might just be a little stubborn, but I want to live where my heart belongs, and at the same time prove it’s possible to make films no matter where one is situated.”
What it’s about: “‘Thale’ revolves around the Norwegian, folklore creature ‘huldra.’ This shy, tailed female figure has appeared in several folk tales through time, and now, for the first time, she finally appears on film.”
Director Nordaas says: “‘Thale’ is a pretty different take on the folklore theme, and the film might just be somewhat different than expected.”
What inspired you? “As a Norwegian filmmaker, we have a massive treasure chest of inspiration in our folklore. And ‘huldra’ was, for me, one of the most inspiring creatures in there.”
What’s next? “I’m finding myself juggling quite the load of projects these days, both my own and incoming. One of the projects I know I’m going to pursue in the near future is my adaptation of a Norwegian children’s book, with the English title ‘Morkel The Moss Monster.’ This will be an animated film and is quite different from ‘Thale,’ both in genre and format, but it is also based deep within Norwegian folklore. Morkel is by far one of the weirdest creatures soon to see daylight.”
Indiewire invited SXSW Film Festival directors to tell us about their films, including what inspired them, the challenges they faced and what they’re doing next. We’ll be publishing their responses leading up to the 2012 festival.
Keep checking HERE every day up to the launch for the latest profiles.
