Telegrafisten (1993)

	Directed by: Erik Gustavson	COUNTRY Norway/Denmark GENRE Drama/Romance INTERNATIONAL TITLE The Telegraphist RUNNING TIME 102 minutes
	Produced by: Tomas Backström Petter J. Borgli
	Written by (from Sværmere by Knut Hamsun): Lars Saabye Christensen

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Ove Rolandsen	Bjørn Floberg	½
Elise Mack	Marie Richardson
Mack	Jarl Kulle
Kaptein Henriksen	Ole Ernst	½
Jomfru Van Loos	Kjersti Holmen
Levion	Bjørn Sundquist	½
Prestens kone	Elisabeth Sand	½
Presten	Svein Sturla Hungnes	½
Olga	Camilla Strøm-Henriksen	½
Fredrik	Johan H:son Kjellgren
Enok	Knut Haugmark
Ulrik	Reidar Sørensen	½
Pernille	Maria Bonnevie
Telegrafinspektøren	Per Jansen
Ragna	Gørild Mauseth

Review

Telegrafisten was the second collaboration between Erik Gustavson, Lars Saabye Christensen and Bjørn Floberg, after the trio's success with Herman in 1990. This time, they adapted Hamsun's Sværmere to the big screen – a story about a small Northern Norwegian fishing village in the transition from natural economy to industrialisation at the turn of the 20th century. Our protagonist is Ove Rolandsen, local telegraphist, inventor and womanizer. He is a cynical, selfish liar, but also a warm, romantic dreamer who lights up the day for people around him. In many ways, he is what keeps the little village going, representing what most of its inhabitants cannot quite figure out: how to combine the old and simple mode of living (Rolandsen's physical and naturalistic side) with the new and sophisticated systems (his technical ability, vision and international ambitions). Not only has Rolandsen figured this out; he has even done it with an impudent joie de vivre that feels intimidating to local authority figures, including Mack, Ulrik, and the preacher.

Erik Gustavson's direction has a whiff of grandeur to it, while at the same time being partly rooted in the old-fashioned Norwegian film tradition. It's a curious combination, making Telegrafisten a beautiful, considered tale with relevance to Norwegian history and literature, but also giving it a somewhat confined and unfresh feel. Lars Saabye Christensen's script makes for a great character study – which the film ultimately is – but is somewhat lacking in relevance and novelty.

Character actor Bjørn Floberg demonstrates considerable verve and energy in what is one of only a handful of leading roles in his career. Sporting a useful Northern-Norwegian accent and a youthful tan, he might not seem like the ideal Rolandsen at first glance, but Floberg's natural confidence and enigmatic gaze make him as enthralling to the audience as he is to Marie Van Loos (Kjersti Holmen), the pastor's wife (Elisabeth Sand), and Elise (Marie Richardson). Floberg excels in the high-strung scenes, giving one of the best performances of his career, even if he isn't equally comfortable in the softer, more lyrical passages. The ensemble cast is thoroughly fine, with special nods to Sand's wretchedly ambivalent preacher's wife and Bjørn Sundquist's moving portrayal of the restricted Levion. Sundquist makes this easily caricatured character into a sympathetic and tormented human. It is one of his best performances.

Telegrafisten won an Amanda for Best Nordic Feature and was nominated for the Golden Bear in Berlin. It was one of the most commercially successful Norwegian films of its era, and remains noticeable for its meticulous location use.