Movie spotlight
Out Stealing Horses
November 1999. 67-year-old Trond lives in new-found solitude and looks forward to spending New Year's Eve 2000 alone. As winter arrives he discovers he has a neighbor, a man Trond knew back in 1948, the summer he turned 15 and the summer Trond's father prepared him to carry the burden of his forthcoming betrayal and disappearance.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1970, 15-year-old Trond is sent to live with his father in the Norwegian countryside. Years later, as an old man, Trond reflects on a fateful summer when he befriended his father's estranged brother, a man involved in clandestine activities. This period of his youth is marked by loss, betrayal, and the unsettling realization of his father's hidden past.
Critical Reception
Out Stealing Horses received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances, and evocative portrayal of memory and regret. Some found the pacing deliberate, but overall, it was recognized for its artistic merit and emotional depth.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its subtle yet powerful exploration of memory and familial relationships.
Commended for the compelling performance by Stellan Skarsgård and the film's atmospheric cinematography.
Noted for its deliberate pacing that enhances the melancholic and reflective mood.
Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's mature and contemplative themes, with many highlighting the emotional resonance and artistic direction. Some viewers found the narrative slow but ultimately rewarding.
Awards & Accolades
Premiered at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, nominated for the Golden Bear.
Fun Fact
The film is based on the critically acclaimed 2003 novel of the same name by Norwegian author Per Petterson.
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