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‘Folktales' receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters in New York on July 25th before releasing in Los Angeles and additional cities on August 1st, Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing's 'Folktales' offers a fascinating, emotional look at a very untraditional –– yet historic high school in Norway.
With life lessons including survival in arctic conditions and the care and training of sled dogs, it’s a different education, but clearly a valuable one.
Related Article: 'Folktales' Exclusive Clip
Initial Thoughts
Documentaries focused on the teen experience often fall into the category of stresses, strains and bad behavior, with some redemption to be found.
And while tempers can run high here, ‘Folktales’ instead chooses to focus on the educational, spiritual and moral advantages of the Pasvik Folk High School in Norway, where youngsters are given training in survival, teamwork and self-esteem.
Script and Direction
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady have previously been behind the likes of ‘Jesus Camp’, ‘Endangered’ and ‘The Boys of Baraka’ and they certainly bring all their experience to bear here.
While ‘Folktales’ sometimes feels like it will slip from dreamlike into out-and-out sleepy, the gentle tone and unhurried narrative wins you over.
Cast and Performances
The various teenagers that the directors choose to focus on are well selected; the likes of young Hege, dealing with grief and body issues, figures out her destiny among the sled dogs who form a crucible part of the syllabus.
Romain, meanwhile, discovers the confidence he needs after previously quitting the course because of the pressures of the wilderness and his own emotional issues.
If there’s one issue to be raised it’s that trying to blend the story of the teens with that of the dogs sometimes sees competition rise –– you occasionally find yourself wishing the filmmakers would cut back to the animals rather than the whiny kids.
And we’d have to offer a trigger warning because the film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of dealing with working animals.
Final Thoughts
‘Folktales’ is a confident, uplifting and interesting look into a world many people outside Norway may never have heard about. For that reason, it’s more than worth tracking down –– even if you have to take a sled to your nearest theater.
What’s the story of ‘Folktales’?
On the precipice of adulthood, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway. Dropped at the edge of the world, they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions.
Other Movies featuring dogs:
- 'Breaking Away' (1979)
- 'Stand by Me' (1986)
- ‘Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey' (1993)
- 'Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco' (1996)
- 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' (2005)
- 'Superbad' (2007)
- 'Marley & Me' (2008)
- 'The Hangover' (2009)
- 'Bridesmaids' (2011)
- 'A Dog's Purpose' (2017)
- 'A Dog's Journey' (2019)
- 'Good Boys' (2019)
- ‘Dog' (2022)
