Utøya: July 22
Utøya: July 22

Movie spotlight

Utøya: July 22

2018
Movie
92 min
Norwegian

A teenage girl fights for survival and to locate her young sister during the 2011 terrorist attack at a political summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utøya.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic72/100
Google Users85%
Director: Erik PoppeGenres: Drama, Thriller, War

Plot Summary

The film depicts the events of July 22, 2011, when Anders Behring Breivik carried out a mass shooting at a youth summer camp on the island of Utøya, Norway. It follows a fictional 19-year-old girl, Kaja, and her desperate attempts to survive the horrific attack and find her younger sister amidst the chaos. The narrative unfolds in real-time, immersing the viewer in the terror and confusion experienced by the young victims.

Critical Reception

Utøya: July 22 received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its intense and unflinching portrayal of the real-life tragedy. While some found the focus on the victims' experience challenging to watch, many commended the film's respectful and harrowing depiction of the events, as well as its powerful performances. It was noted for its unique perspective, avoiding sensationalism and instead focusing on the human cost of the massacre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense, real-time depiction of the Utøya massacre from the victims' perspective.

  • Applauded for its respectful and harrowing portrayal of a deeply traumatic event.

  • Noted for its powerful performances and avoidance of sensationalism.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's intense and emotionally impactful experience, commending its realistic portrayal of the tragic events and the bravery of the young victims. Some viewers found it difficult to watch due to its harrowing nature, but many appreciated its focus on survival and humanity.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film at the 2019 Amanda Awards (Norwegian Film Awards).

Fun Fact

The film was shot in a single, continuous take to heighten the sense of realism and immediacy, mirroring the real-time unfolding of the tragic events.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

**_Brilliant use of the techniques of_ cinéma vérité _make for a disturbingly realistic experience_** > _Når en mann kan forårsake så mye ondt - tenk hvor mye kjærlighet vi kan skape sammen_ [_When one man could cause so much evil - thin...