See the Scream, Hear the Scream

Norwegian super-artist Edvard Munch will be getting some scream, er, screen time sometime this fall when director Dheeraj Akolkar’s new film titled “Let the Scream Be Heard” makes its premiere. This year, which marks Munch’s 150^th anniversary, has Norway abuzz and celebrating with events and exhibits of the famed artist’s works. If you’re into films about art or just want to get immersed in everything Edvard Munch, then Norway is the place to be this year.

Photo by Børre Høstland – National Museum

Although he graduated with a degree in architecture, Mr. Akolkar found his calling in the movie industry and got his start making Bollywood films. Eventually he moved to London, and studied at film school for a year before finally starting his own production company. His most recent film, Liv and Ingmar, a documentary released in 2012, focused on the lives of Norwegian actress Liv Ullman and the legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.

Dheeraj’s new film will be an international documentary that attempts to understand Edvard Munch, the man himself, and his influence on the world both socially as well as culturally regardless of his reputation as a legendary painter. Dheeraj claims “I’m less interested in analyses. With Munch I’m after the emotions, the need to paint. Why does he create…? I’m not concerned with hero worshipping, my interest is creation.”

In an interview with film critic Oda Bhar in Oslo, Dheeraj spoke about the need for good storytellers to talk about Munch’s work and influence. The storytellers featured in the film will not only be from Norway but from other parts of the world. Dheeraj began taking on stories a year prior to the film’s production, though it’s not certain how these stories will be expressed. Dheeraj has mentioned how universal Munch’s works are: “Munch’s paintings are understood and accepted in Japan, Latin America, Africa and India. Everywhere people stand in front of them and are affected.”

Though the date for “Let the Scream Be Heard” has yet to be determined, it’s definitely scheduled for the autumn months in Norway (beginning in September) and will be broadcast by the Norway Broadcasting Company (NRK). If you decide to visit then, you’ll still be able to catch the special Munch 150 Exhibit in Oslo at the National Museum or the Munch Museum, on view until October, 13.

Photo by ©Dag Fosse, Bergen Art Museum

Be sure not to miss out on local events, many of them focused on the arts, such as the Nuart Festival (street and urban art) in Stavanger beginning in September, and the Bergen International Film Festival, October 23 – 30.