Sykt Lykkelig

  Interview: Anne Sewitzky – New York Times

The film 'Happy, Happy' by Norwegian director Anne Sewitzky, made quite the splash at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, winning the grand jury prize for world cinema. Film.com heralded it as one of the best films at Sundance, and rated it an A- overall. The Norwegian title 'Sykt Likkelig' translates more accurately as 'Insanely Happy' which seems a more fitting title so the complications we find in modern love and relationships. Set in the peaceful countryside of Norway, the plot is anything but dull, but is rife with quirky comedy, heartache, infidelity and joy. Sometimes our perfectly sculpted lives need to fall completely to pieces before we can put things right. My mother always said, 'Fake it til you make it' but as Sewitzky shows, a smile can conceal a deep discontent and when the main character finally takes off her happy-go-lucky mask, life gets a twist, but she finally begins to heal.

The success of 'Happy, Happy' at the Sundance almost guarantees its inclusion into international film showings in major cities world wide. In Minneapolis, it will be shown as part of the International Film Festival, 14th April – 5th May, 2011.  Though the trailer is in Norwegian, you'll get the drift.

Caroline Engel for Danish Teak Classics