Monsterthursday

Institute History

  • 2005 Sundance Film Festival

Description

At their peaks, both surfing and love are exhilaratingly life-affirming forces of nature. Each, however, can also rip you apart. Monsterthursday shows us that the quest for the perfect wave—literal and figurative—is pursued even in the icy waters of a Norwegian coastal town.

Even is directionless; he's the kind of guy who never completes anything that demands effort. Even's best friend, Tord, is quite his opposite—with a prestigious job, a talent for surfing, and the beautiful Karen as his bride. This last fact is especially hard on Even, who is not-so-secretly in love with Karen. When Tord goes away on business, he asks Even to look after Karen and help her refurbish their kitchen. Under these circumstances, Even and Karen are forced to confront their feelings for each other. Their love swells, but when the emotional wave breaks, will it come crashing down on them?

Monsterthursday deals with age-old themes in a decidedly fresh manner. Writer/director Arild Østin Ommundsen injects bursts of vibrant humor into a love story set in an uncommon location. Utilizing terrific cinematography and an evocative score, Monsterthursday marks the emergence of an electrifying new voice in Scandinavian cinema.

— Trevor Groth

Screening Details

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