Movie night: Synnöve Solbakken

Watch a screening of Synnöve Solbakken, one of two films based on works by the Norwegian Nobel Prize Laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Directed by John W. Brunius (Sweden, 1919). 111 min. with English subtitles.

Synnöve Solbakken and Thorbjörn Granliden are children from neighboring farms, one wealthier than the other. Despite attempts by the devious farmhand Aslak to convince Thorbjörn that Synnöve is in league with the trolls, the two become friends and, as they grow older, fall in love. Synnöve’s parents, who belong to a very conservative denomination, find Thorbjörn unsuitable for her, while his rival Knud does what he can to get him into more trouble — and at the midsummer celebration, Synnöve makes Thorbjörn promise to change his ways. But while Synnöve is up in the mountains working at her family’s summer pasture, the schemes of the evil Aslak will threaten both their love and Thorbjörn’s life.