Oh good! You found us.
We’re an on-demand movie theater where you can discover hand-picked films from festivals and collections around
the world. We make it easy for you to find films you’ll love, no matter what your interests are.
Winner of "Best Foreign Programme" at the 1977 BAFTA TV Awards.
Famously described by Ingmar Bergman as a "work of genius," Peter Watkins' multi-faceted masterpiece is more than just a bio-pic of the iconic Norwegian Expressionist painter. Focusing initially on Munch's formative years in late 19th Century Kristiania (now Oslo), Watkins uses his trademark style to create a vivid picture of the emotional, political and social upheavals that would have such an effect on his art. The young artist (Geir Westby) has an affair with "Mrs. Heiberg" (Gro Fraas), a devastating experience that will haunt him for the rest of his life, and his work is viciously attacked by the critics and public alike. He is forced to leave his home country for Berlin where, along with the notorious Swedish playwright August Strindberg, he becomes part of the cultural storm that is to sweep Europe.
GENRES
Cast & Crew
- Eric Allum - Edvard Munch (1868)
- Kerstii Allum - Sophie Munch (1868)
- Ragnvald Caspari - Peter Andreas Munch
- Gro Fraas - Johanne Luise Heiberg
- Inger-Berit Oland - Sophie Munch (1875)
- Susan Troldmyr - Laura Munch (1868)
- Geir Westby - Edvard Munch
Festivals
Related Films
-
Abraham Lincoln
Returning to the historic era of his greatest success, D.W. Griffith paid homage to the sixteenth President in this moving drama (his first talking picture) starring Walter Huston. Focusing on Abraham Lincoln’s personal tragedies as well as his great accomplishments, Griffith’s film depicts the American icon with a...Start your free trial to watch
-
Punishment Park
The war in Vietnam is escalating. There is massive public protest in the United States and elsewhere. President Nixon declares a state of national emergency and the federal authorities are given the power to detain persons judged to be "a risk to internal security." In a desert zone in southwest California, a civilian...Start your free trial to watch
-
The Freethinker
Peter Watkins' innovative biopic THE FREETHINKER explores in rich detail the life of author August Strindberg and his troubled relationship with Siri von Essen, Strindberg's first wife. Assembled over a two-year period at the Nordens Folk High School near Stockholm as part of a class that the filmmaker taught in the early...Start your free trial to watch
-
Evening Land
"In October 1975, I was invited by Stig Björkman, a Swedish filmmaker in charge of production for the Danish Film Institute, to begin research on a feature film which was to be funded chiefly by the Institute and two private producers, Steen Herdel and Ebbe Preisler. Together with Danish director/writer Poul Martinsen and...Start your free trial to watch
Reviews
(see the best reviews)Join the conversation. Log in or subscribe to write a review!
I'm a big Munch fan. Interestingly, the shots in the film corresponded to Munch's subjects in his paintings. The film also gives a good picture of the times in Norway at the end of 19th century.
I'm inspired by the story of Edvard Munch. The hypocrisy of artists and the politics that surrounded his work is just so ironic. How love, pain, death, suffering and life with all its shadows, light and beauty influenced this wonderful man had my eyes glued to see just what would happen next. What thought would inspire? What emotion would carry him to his next peak, valley? But most importantly, what would these release from his brush?
The layered sound design - the translation of Munch's art to color compositions on film - the frenetic elliptical editing - and the contextual views offered in voice over - all make this not only highly recommended but essential viewing! - for artists, historians, and any compassionate individuals who champion expression.