LOVERS OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
SYNOPSIS:
Ana (Najwa Nimri) and Otto (Fele Martinez) are brought together as children, when their
respective single parents become involved with each other. But is it purely chance, or
were they fated to be together? As they grow, their love for each other becomes stronger.
But circumstances intervene, and the lovers are separated. Now, through a combination of
luck and conscious will, they are about to be reunited at the edge of the world - the
Arctic Circle. They recount the events that have led them to this point.
"While the location of its title may conjure up icy images that chill you to the
bone, Lovers of the Arctic Circle radiates in the glow of its emotions. Passionately
melancholy, Julio Medem's intense love story is seen from the personal point of view of
both lovers. We sense their uncertainty, we smile at their discoveries, we feel their
yearning, we ache for their pain. Lovers of the Arctic Circle evokes melancholy –
from its very structure to its pensive cinematography to Alberto Iglesias' beautiful
reflective music. We are the sum of our experiences; we respond because of who we are and
how we were brought up. Each of us has perceptions that are unique to us. How many times
have you heard – there's my story, your story and the truth? I found the sequences
when Otto and Ana were children the most moving – little things like a tossed paper
aeroplane are indelibly stamped in the psyche forever. It's a story about feeling –
how we pain, agonise and rejoice. I do have a few reservations – namely its length,
too many segments that fragment the story and I did find the constant reference to
coincidence heavy handed. Performances are wonderful – I especially enjoyed the
opening of the young Otto's eyes and heart. Romantic and poetic, Lovers of the Arctic
Circle is a perceptive story of the heart that journeys life's long path."
Louise Keller
"If you like your films lush, filled with fantasy and wonder, and very European;
then Lovers of the Arctic Circle is one for you. This ravishingly shot and beautifully
constructed film confirms its Spanish director Julio Medem as one of the brightest
filmmaking talents working in Europe today. Its elliptical story of love, faith and
destiny, interwoven with breathtaking visual moments, evokes Krzysztof Keislowski’s
La Double vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Véronique); one of my all-time
favourites. Be warned though - some will find the sequence of coincidences played out
between the protagonists too much to handle. No doubt there is an element of contrivance
in the screenplay, but it’s in the interests of creating a uniquely imaginative and
compelling story of romance and devotion. My advice is to ignore any naysayers you come
across and simply let this wonderful reverie wash over you. Despite its almost epic scope,
Lovers of the Arctic Circle is very much a two-hander, with Najwa Nimri and Fele Martinez
basically carrying the film as Ana and Otto. Both are fine in their roles; segueing easily
between past and present, fantasy and reality. They are given solid support by Nancho Novo
and Maru Validivieso as their parents; and by Kristel Diaz and Victor Hugo Oliveiera (what
a name!) in the adolescent roles. Lovers of the Arctic Circle has been a favourite on the
international film festival circuit this year and it’s not hard to see why. Medem has
created a lush, mesmerising and totally engrossing experience. Highly recommended."
David Edwards
"For Australian audiences, this film offers a change of pace and scenery, and a
beguiling sort of cinema: it's not straight and it's not obvious. The lack of signposting
as to which part of the story is illusion/imagination and which is real could alienate
some, but even they will be mesmerised by the rampant romanticism of the film, and its
alluring story. I am less bothered by the coincidences than my colleagues (actually find
that aspect very easy to accept as a reality of this crazy world as I've experienced it)
than by the loss of economy in the filmmaking. I enjoy being perplexed by movies as long
as there is a payoff of some kind, and this film half delivers on that score, with its
beguiling shuffle at the end. This is a film for the curious, the film literate and those
affluent in time."
Andrew L. Urban
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 2
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 1
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 TRAILER
SOFCOM MOVIE TIMES
LOVERS OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE (tba)
(Denmark)
CAST: Fele Martinez, Najwa Nimri Nancho Novo, Maru Valdivielso, Peru Medem, Sara
Valiente, Victor Hugo Oliveira, Kristel Diaz, Pep Munne, Jaroslaw Bielski, Joost Siedhoff,
Beate Jensen
DIRECTOR: Julio Medem
PRODUCER: Fernando Bovaira, Enrique Lopez Lavigne
SCRIPT: Julio Medem
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Kalo F. Berridi
EDITOR: Ivan Aledo
MUSIC: Alberto Iglesias
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Satur Idarreta
RUNNING TIME: 112 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Dendy
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: November 11, 1999
DANISH, WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
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