We start with Finn Marking Tommy Wirkola (43). This year he came up with his own twist on the Christmas film via the comedy “Violent Night”.
Among other things, Tommy Wirkola has directed the bloody comedies “Død snø” and “Kill Buljo”. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
– What do you think is the best Christmas movie?
– There are several I see almost every Christmas and like very much, Wirkola begins by telling, before reminiscing back to his childhood:
– Of course, I grew up watching the Disney cartoons, so they are important to me.
Struggling to choose
From childhood on, and to this day, film has been top of mind for Wirkola:
– Nothing beats going to see a fantastic film at the cinema.
This is perhaps the reason why the “Hansel & Gretel” director is unable to choose just one favourite:
– “Help, it’s christmasbreak!” I watch about every year because it’s on TV and it’s incredibly funny.
– I also really like “Scrooged” with Bill Murray from the 80s.
But the film that has perhaps been with him the longest is “Home alone”.
– I was very young when I saw it in the cinema, and now try to see it quite often at Christmas. Incredibly cool movie.
– A masterpiece
It Emmy-winning the director Cecilie Mosli (49) is behind the remake of “Three nuts for Cinderella”.
In addition, she has played in NRK’s Christmas calendar “Snøfall”.
Cecilie Mosli has, among other things, directed episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. Photo: Gitte Johannessen / NTB
Then you have to believe that she knows her Christmas movie. After this quick response, everything seems to be true:
– It probably has to be Fanny and Alexander by Ingmar Bergman.
The 1982 family drama won four Academy Awards.
Mosli says it is one of the films she has seen the most times, and almost always at Christmas.
– Even if it’s not just Christmas and it’s not feelgood, the film is a masterpiece. And it’s Christmas in it! Lovely Christmas!
She throws in a few more TV favourites, which of course include ‘Three Nuts for Cinderella’, and the miniseries “Ronja Røverdatter”.
– It was made at the same time as the film, and it has everything, says Mosli, and elaborates:
– A brave heroine, a closeness to nature, family, friendship, enmity, love and luckily a lot of forgiveness.
Since childhood, almost every Christmas has been spent watching the series on NRK. A tradition she has passed on to her “grand children”.
– I must have seen it 40 times, and loved it every time.
Mosli states that she has put on a Ronja Røverdatter performance for both radio and the National Theatre.
– I’m sickly jealous, because now someone else is making a new film version.
Last year it was announced that the Astrid Lindgren character will be given new life in a series that will premiere on Viaplay in 2023. The main role will be played by Kerstin Linden.
No Christmas without this one
Harald Zwart (57), has directed Hollywood films such as “The Karate Kid”, but to most people he is perhaps best known as the man behind the “Lange flate ballær” trilogy and the award-winning “The 12th Man”.
“Lange Flate ballær” director Harald Zwart during the Fredrikstad premiere this spring. Photo: Christoffer Andersen / NTB
At work, it’s mostly been action and comedy, but when it comes to Christmas, this “downstairs” classic is the only thing right.
– “Karl-Bertil Jonsson’s Christmas Eve”. It has warmth and a great message, and is delicious underneath. Love the narrator and the illustrations.
– No Christmas without it, Zwart asserts.
In 2021 there was one feature film version of the Swedish short film from 1975. It did not impress Dagbladet’s reviewer, who thought it had no sentimental value or Christmas spirit.
Creates discussion
Someone who also does not struggle to choose a clear Christmas favorite is “Troll” director Roar Uthaug (49).
Roar Uthaug is known for directing the action films “Tomb Raider” and “The Wave”. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
– It has to be “Die Hard”, the first when he is in the skyscraper in LA.
He is unable to put into words why exactly it has become the favourite, but acknowledges that there is something special about seeing Bruce Willis just before Christmas.
Wirkola is also one of the many who believe that “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie.
Actor Bruce Willis in front of the poster for the film which is a clear favorite for many at Christmas. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
This is something fans have been debating for years. The film premiered in 1988.
Bruce Willis has stated that he not consider Die Hard a Christmas film, but rather summer action.
The film’s scriptwriter and director disagree with the lead actor, according to IMDB.
The Movie Website Filmweb have tried to put an end to the discussion by listing a number of criteria for what a Christmas film must have.
It is pointed out that the action takes place around Christmas time and that a number of Christmas songs are included.
