Growth of the Soil (film)

Growth of the Soil (Norwegian: Markens grøde) is a Norwegian silent film from 1921 based on Knut Hamsun's novel Growth of the Soil.[1][2] The Danish filmmaker Gunnar Sommerfeldt wrote the screenplay and directed the film, and he also played the role of the bailiff Geissler in the film.[3] Sommerfeldt invested DKK 240,00 in the film, which was a considerable sum in 1921.

Growth of the Soil
NorwegianMarkens grøde
Directed byGunnar Sommerfeldt
Produced byGunnar Sommerfeldt
Written byGunnar Sommerfeldt
Based onGrowth of the Soil, by Knut Hamsun
StarringAmund Rydland
Karen Thalbitzer
Almar Hamsun
Sivert Eliassen
Gunnar Sommerfeldt
Music byLeif Halvorsen
CinematographyGeorge Schnéevoigt
Distributed byNorrøna Film
Release date
  • 1921 (1921)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryNorway
LanguageNorwegian

Story

The film opens with images from a forest under a glacier, where Isak Sellanrå is clearing the land. Eventually, however, the perspective begins to change, and smaller stories break in and toward the story of Isak and Inger. A modern society is emerging around the two. The story of young Barbro walking into the river with her child, but still ending with Aksel, also receives significant attention.

Filming

The filming took place in the Rana district and was a very big event.[4] A number of locals were used as extras and for minor roles.[4] Isaac's clearing was filmed in Røvassdalen, and other parts were filmed at Tverånes in Mo i Rana, and Hemnesberget and Korgen. A couple of Sami were also hired from the neighboring Swedish municipality of Tärna.[4]

Rediscovery

For many years, the film was presumed lost.[5] It then reappeared in several places. An American professor owned shortened edition, and it is believed that this 60-minute film was the version that was screened in the United States in 1928. A longer version surfaced in the Netherlands.[6] These two copies were combined to create the version that was screened in 2009 during Hamsun Days.

Cast

References
  1. Hjort, Mette; Lindqvist, Ursula (2016). A Companion to Nordic Cinema. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Inc. p. 290.
  2. Alnæs, Karsten (1996). Historien om Norge: En ny arbeidsdag. Oslo: Gyldendal. p. 296.
  3. Parrill, William B. (2015). European Silent Films on Video: A Critical Guide. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 171.
  4. Markens grøde: en filmhistorisk begivenhet: 1921-1994. Rana: Nasjonalbibliotekavdelinga. 1994. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  5. Koteng, Hedda Hiller (November 27, 2008). "Markens Grøde opp fra jorden". Rana Blad. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  6. Pedersen, Bjørn Tore (August 3, 2009). "Fikk skryt av Hamsun selv". NRK. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
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