Vinterland (2007) User Reviews

The Immigrant Recipe

[olafty10 · 7/10 · 14 May 2010]

The snowy desert of northern Norway is a bit of a change from the traditional desert for the Iraqi immigrants in the movie Vinterland directed by Hisham Zaman. I really enjoyed this movie. It is a short feature film (52 minutes) and the only one that Zaman has done. I like to think of this film like a recipe that wasn't quite followed. That is not to say that this film is formulaic but to say that what we see in the film, cultural differences, relationship trouble, and hopes that are destroyed is what a lot of immigrant experiences are like. They come expecting one thing and find out that the dream they had in their head is not, in fact, reality.

The first thing that struck me in this movie was the sparseness of the landscape surrounding Renas' (Raouf Saraj) home. We see the dramatic landscape of mountains that surround his house but other than that there really isn't much to look at besides snow. He lives a simple life, going to work in a factory, then talking to friends for a while before returning home to think about his soon to be wife, who is still in Iraq. We see this process repeat a few times during the movie. While Renas is at work we see some of the cultural differences between Norway and his native Iraq. One of the most poignant ones is while he is eating lunch at work he and his coworkers start talking about ham. They (Norwegians) ask him why he does not eat ham, and he replies by saying it makes you impotent. At that moment another coworker comes to lunch and is eating a ham sandwich which causes the others to laugh at him. This is the first part of the recipe that is misread. People come to various countries expecting one thing and finding another. Many times cultures do not mix well together and it leads to tension and sometimes violence. This is not one of those cases. Renas seems to get along with the Norwegians that he meets, and knows, in the movie. In fact he seems to have more of an issue with his wife than he does Norwegians.

Relationships seem to be an ever present force in Nordic film. Almost every film I have seen deals with relationships in some way or another. This one again deals with the cultural issues that immigrants have to deal with and a relationship that does not seem to work from the start. Renas' wife at the beginning of the movie is still in Iraq. Once he gets her a visa she is able to come to Norway to finally be (actually) married to him. The two have preconceived ideas about the other and both hope for something that they eventually find out is not reality. Renas is expecting a beautiful skinny woman whom his parents found for him. He has photos that he looks at to reinforce this idea. When Fermesk (Shler Rahnoma) arrives he his startled by the fact that his dreams do not match reality. Fermesk comes to Norway expecting a rich husband who will love her very much. What she finds is a factory worker who is anything but enchanted by her. This can be looked at in a wider context of immigrant experiences as well. Many people move to other countries expecting the streets to be "paved with gold." That is never the case. Often they move to various countries hoping for a life that will be perfect but, what they find is often a life that is in fact very hard. They realize that wishful thinking does not translate to reality. I have heard this from friends whose families have immigrated and from other immigrants who work in the local grocery store. I think that this has been the trend in immigration for years. People hear stories and come expecting one thing and getting the opposite.

I do like the way that Renas and Fermesk work through their troubles to eventually meet at a middle ground. They both kind of realize "sh*t we are all each other have, we have to make this work." Renas destroys the phone near his house out of frustration. He gets sick of having to always please his family (and Fermesk's as well) back in Iraq. The newlyweds decide that their life is now Norway and no longer Iraq. They can hold on to some of their traditions but they also have to embrace the new lives that they have in Norway.

I think that this movie has a very realistic portrayal of recent immigrant experiences in Norway (and other countries). People come expecting one thing and getting another. They have a hard life when they first immigrate, and not everything is coming up daisies. They have to find their way and make due with what they have. They have to hold onto their native culture while still embracing and trying to incorporate the new culture that they are a part of. Renas and Fermesk have their issues but they work together to make a new life in Norway that is their own and they are by the end of the movie at least moving towards a happier place.

Zaman's first feature

[lanman-678-734085 · 6/10 · 18 May 2010]

Renas, played by Raouf Saraj, is far from home in the snowy, mountainous landscape of Norway. Renas plays an immigrant from Iraq in Vinterland, directed by Hisham Zaman. This was Hisham's first and only feature film, and while it wasn't wildly entertaining, I was a fan of it. It was a rather short feature film-only 52 minutes-which most likely reflects his career as mainly a short film producer. Throughout the film, Zaman shows us cultural disparity, troubled relationships, and adaptations experienced by Immigrants. Both Renas and his new wife, Fermesk-played by Shler Rahnoma-are meeting for the first time, and the two, changed since their pictures which they had been studying, are somewhat disappointed when they first meet.

The landscape portrayed throughout this film is pretty much everything I imagined Norway being. Other than the scenic mountains surrounding his home, we don't really see much other than snow and trees, which is indicative of his secluded lifestyle. I can relate to this man in the sense that he is a simple man though. He does have contact with his friends at work, but soon after that he returns home and studies the picture of his to be wife and yearns for her to be there. The cultural disparity is apparent while at work. The first instance is when he and his co workers start talking about ham, which he claims to make you impotent. Shortly after, another co worker comes to sit down, and what is he eating? Of course, a ham sandwich, which his coworkers get a little kick out of. This is only a mild case of cultural disparity, which can often lead to violence or tension, but the only tension we see is between Renas and his wife. Other than Renas' interaction with his coworkers, we don't see very much interaction between Kurds and Norwegians. I think this somewhat hindered Hasham's ability to show the adaptation of immigrants in Norwegian society.

Another central theme we see in Vinterland, that is a common theme portrayed Nordic films, is that of relationships. Renas has a preconceived notion of what Fermesk is to look like, as in her picture she is a skinny, pretty Iraq woman. However, upon rival they are both faced with a presence that greatly contrasts what they believed they were to find. Renas finds an extra large princess, and Fermesk, expecting a rich, loving husband, finds a poor factory worker. They are both faced with dealing with this unexpected marriage, as well as this new society they have immigrated to. They both came to Norway expecting bigger and better things-no pun intended-and are faced with a sad reality of this not being true. I think the coping with their unexpected marriage is a way of portraying the adaptation immigrants are faced with. Zaman likes to focus not on politics, but they way in which politics affect humans. He says his movies are about human beings. Zaman's brilliant short piece Bawke is another example of this.

I found myself intrigued by the way in which Renas and Fermesk came to make lemonade with the lemons they were given. At first, Fermesk refuses to have premarital sex with Renas but eventually changes her stance on this. The turning point in their relationship seemed to be the smashing of a phone booth, which played an integral role throughout the film. He often visits to phone booth to answer phone calls from his and Fermesk's demanding families. He finally gets fed up with, and with the assistance of Fermesk, demolishes this phone booth. This scene was the uniting moment for the couple in my opinion. They realize they are all they have and are in this situation together. Leaving the phone booth behind was a way of Fermesk and Renas leaving their old lives in Iraq behind them and moving on to their new lives in Norway.

I thought Vinterland was a very practical and realistic portrayal of not only people, but the immigration experience immigrant's experience. They both came to Norway expecting bigger and better things, but instead were faced with adversity and are forced to overcome, together. Vinterland shows the Nordic landscape, and portrays common Nordic themes of relationships, their struggles, and struggles immigrants are faced with. Overall I admired the film and the way in which Zaman filmed it.

Vinterland - Failed Expectations

[natehaustein · 6/10 · 19 May 2010]

Alone in a house in snowy northern Norway, Renas (Raouf Saraj) waits for the wife of his dreams to arrive. Thumbing over a tattered photograph, the Kurdish refugee plans the reception of beautiful Fermesk ( Shler Rahnoma) following an arranged wedding between their families. Hisham Zaman's 2007 film "Vinterland" brings into perspective the life of a foreigner living in Norway, dealing with the concept of acceptance as well as views of love.

Expectations and adaptation are some central themes in "Vinterland," concerning not only Renas' life in general but more specifically the arranged marriage with Fermesk. When the two meet for the first time, neither are quite the person the other expected – Fermesk a larger woman than her picture suggests, and Renas significantly older. Perhaps taken back by the introduction to what seems like a complete stranger after much contact over the phone and through photographs, the two do not act with much love towards each other, and both doubt their ability to go on with the marriage. The film goes on in attempting to prove this relationship through the struggles the two have to endure together as refugees in a foreign land. Like it or not, all they have is each other. Initially not at all what he expected or wanted, Renas comes to see who Fermesk really is as a person, pushing aside his prior expectations of her and beginning to realize his selfish natures. Still, when Renas finds out a dark secret on his wedding night, the relationship sees a strain that both need to come to terms with.

The film discusses the concept of acceptance in a somewhat comical way, critiquing the stereotype of socially-reserved Nordic mannerisms. When Fermesk tells Renas how much she dislikes riding the bus to her Norwegian class, he responds by telling her she is missing the friendliness of the people around her, and she need only work at it a little harder. This proposal is played out comically later when Renas struggles to make smalltalk with a man waiting for the bus, failing miserably in trying to create any sort of real social connection. Afterwards, he considers the interaction a success, much to the skepticism of Fermesk. Here we can see Renas trying his best to stay positive in likely a very challenging atmosphere. By telling himself the people around him are friendly on the same level as the people from his home country, Renas makes it just a little bit easier to live in separation in the North of Norway. While Fermesk may see this as being untrue to the actual situation, Renas has no doubt altered his outlook and adapted over time into an optimist.

"Vinterland" is short and sweet. At 52 minutes, the film wastes no time establishing characters and situations. Plot is presented simply and immediately. While somewhat refreshing to view a fast-moving Nordic drama, the film jumps quite rapidly between events, requiring a slight acceptance of discontinuity at times. The plot itself survives this practice of brevity, but the character development and ultimate change comes a bit more suddenly than might be preferred. While understandable, the film does not spend enough time for us to actually get to know the characters of Renas and Fermesk, making their changes in character and outlook seem unbelievable and forced at best. Cutting a film to include only what is necessary for its adequate representation of character and plot is important, but in this case, Zaman could have added more, creating deeper, more believable characters the audience could better relate to.

While outwardly effective in portraying the life of refugees in a socially alien land and depicting expectations of true love, the film falls somewhat flat in the end, with its characters not making a complete connection with the audience. The real malfunction in this comes down to that we understand what is happening, but we just don't care that it is happening. Instead of creating a cinematic relationship over the course of the film, we view events in general. Renas is just another man with another problem, and in a film with content of such substantial dramatic magnitude, the necessity of a deeper emotional connection with the characters is of the utmost importance.

6 out of 10 stars for portrayal of interesting and important ideas in modern Nordic and Kurdish life, but losing out on the front of creating a lasting take-home message for the audience.

read laugh and don't watch this movie

[troche-5 · 3/10 · 18 May 2010]

Looking to catch up on some sleep? Boom, I got you it's called "Winterland" directed by Hisham Zaman. A story of deception, love, mail order brides and snow that is cold and colder at the same time. The highlights of the movie are of Raouf Saraj's character Renas one of the main characters talking on the phone trying to decipher what is being said from the other line. Renas is a man running out of time who is desperate to find love and falls for a picture. This picture turns out to be Fermesk played by Shler Rahnoma who when she arrives to Norway from her native land looks a little bigger in real life. I've heard people say a picture is worth a thousand words but man was Rena's face not worth a thousand words or just priceless. You almost have to feel bad for the guy, he's out of his element being a Kurdish refugee in Norway and all he wants to do is find a wife. When Renas meets Fermesk his bride who was handpicked by his parents he starts acting differently. Before Fermesk arrives Renas is all lo-vie do-vie with Fermesk and very caring but becomes rude and unthoughtful. I understand she's not what he imagined but she left her family to be with a man she doesn't know either but she was trying to make the most of it and this angered me.

This movie made me think of the experience immigrants go through when moving to another country usually expecting a better life but getting something different in return. Poor Renas immigrated to Northern Norway which is the complete opposite of his home land of Iraq. I'm not sure what the time period was for this movie but Norway will never be known for its dry heat and lifeless geography like Iraq. Talk about a culture shock, poor Renas goes from a place as hot as hell to an ice box. The Nordic culture is not shy about sex and Renas doesn't adopt these values even after being there for however long. The clash of cultures is apparent when he tries to sacrifice a lamb which is customary in his religion when praying. This is seen as very uncommon but he still does it and I really loved the expressions of the townies as they walked by and took in this even.

Relationships are a huge part of Nordic films as they focus less on violence and try to keep their movies about the people and their lives. This movie is a perfect example of that as most of the movie is of Renas interacting with Fermesk. They go from not clicking to friends to loving each other. Fermesk is very kind and rearranges the house but Renas obliviously doesn't approve of it. You can feel the frustration in Renas' voice with every call he makes to his family and it eventually hits him that he is now with Fermesk. The event where Rena destroys the phone booth is when I actually started caring and it was a turning point for me because Renas was finally accepting Fermesk into his heart. All it took was for her to help him destroy don't the annoying phone booth that for some reason he only used.

Also, the lack of sexuality in this movie really stood out to me because in the Nordic culture sex is almost like kissing. It's safe to say that if you interviewed a group of Nordic men they would say they expect to have sex with their counterpart very soon after meeting them. In contrast Fermesk denies Renas even just one night before their wedding because their religion frowns largely upon sex before marriage. Even though we find out that Fermesk has already gotten a little curious and done the nasty.

Even though I wasn't a fan of the film itself I can honestly say it was refreshing to see a story about the struggles of a couple instead of some mainstream sequel of a summer blockbuster. Like Hisham said in an interview, "I make films about human beings, not about politics", and I totally support this statement, lets make movies about people and not irrelevant evens we will never experience such as a meeting in congress. But most of all I was glad that it was fifty two minutes short and not ninety five minutes long, so thank you Hisham for that. I would not recommend this for any guy even the sentimental type but I think most women would appreciate this flick as it does have a positive message.

A Warm Story in a Cold Country

[slimtoad20 · 8/10 · 17 May 2010]

Love. Sex. Betrayal. Redemption. Sound next hot summer blockbuster? Probably. However, the events that transpire in the snow-coated hills of Norway illustrate all of these exciting elements in Hisham Zaman's Vinterland without the sappy romances and explosions. Although more subdued than many hyped Hollywood hits, this Nordic gem manages to grab your heart in only half the time. Despite the lack of enormous production values, Vinterland carries and portrays many of the same themes present in other great Scandinavian cinematic pieces.

The film succeeds is in its portrayal of realistic characters. Renas, who's played by Raouf Saraj, is a Kurdish refugee who has fallen in love with the image of Fermesk, played by Shler Rahnoma. The reality of the situation sets in when Fermesk arrives as an "XXL princess," much larger than she appeared in her picture. Renas must deal with this reality while simultaneously adjusting to the harsh Nordic climate. Fermesk also struggles with broken dreams, as she was told that Renas was a very wealthy man who lives in a castle. Much time is spent in the village's solitary phonebooth, where the viewer gets a chance to enter the minds of the characters as they share their inner thoughts with loved ones and family members abroad. One of the most touching and heart-wrenching moments in the film is the wedding scene, where neither the bride or groom is smiling. The story is quaint and relatable, as we all have dealt with disappointment at some point in our lives. There is a twist further into the film that I won't spoil here, but it adds a dynamic to their relationship that makes it even more intriguing to watch. One fact that deserves mention is the minimal cast required to create this film, as well as the fact that this was the first role for each actor's careers.

One element that distinguishes this film from other Nordic films is its apparent lack of Nordic focus. Other films, such as Bergman's Fanny & Alexander or Vinterberg's Celebration, ground themselves heavily in traditional Nordic components, such as family rituals, observance of holidays, etc. In contrast, Vinterland follows Renas, an Iraqi who appears out of place in the bitter cold of Norway. His expression of Muslim faith is foreign to those who have grown up there. One scene in particular demonstrates this unfamiliarity when Renas attempts to sacrifice a sheep for prayer, but cannot find in which direction Mecca resides. He requires the help of passing Norwegians, who give him quite the stare. Equally foreign is the concept of celibacy that Fermesk exemplifies in her character. She refuses to have sex with Renas before marriage, a concept apparently unheard of in other Nordic films (I'm looking at you, 101 Reykjavik). Marriage in more often seen as a convenience than an act of love in many Nordic countries. For it to be taken so seriously is a definite change of pace for Nordic film.

Despite the radical differences between this and other Nordic films, the story rings a loud and promising moral bell. The film teaches about patience in how the two main characters attempt to relate to one another. Vinterland also illustrates the deeper value of judging character before appearance. The primary tension of the film revolves around the instantly relatable act of dismissing someone based on out appearance before getting to know their inner self. Zaman has created a heartwarming tale that exposes a common human flaw, then forgives it with mature characters. This maturity carries through the film as well, as the writing allows the characters to redeem themselves.

Vinterland is at once a common and uncommon Nordic film. While it may not have as high a budget as other, more popular films, it just goes to show that money doesn't necessarily tell a story. Hollywood can learn a thing or two from Zaman's style of film-making. I recommend this one.

Vinterland: Cold and Real

[williama-678-222173 · 8/10 · 19 May 2010]

This movie toyed with my emotions, as I laughed, cried, and shouted with furry. "Vinterland" was the first Nordic film I saw that had a predominant cast of minorities. It tells the story of three Iraqi immigrants, who have different experiences in their new country. Norway is known as a great of country known for their strong economy and social equality (including gender and sexuality), "Vinterland" addresses some flaws of the immigration policy and overall social acceptance of immigrants in the country. These factors can negatively impact the immigrant experience.

Immigration has increased tremendously over the past 50 years. During the 1960's, just 50,000 inhabitants were immigrants, while today the number reaches over 500,000. In Oslo, 25% of the total population in 2008 was reported as immigrants (80% being from non-western origin). The 1990's brought several immigrants from Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Today the most populous minorities are from Poland, Sweden, Pakistan, Iraq and Somalia (WHO). This recent influx likely sparked the interest in producing a movie involving immigration, and more specifically, immigration by members from the Middle East.

One character whom I grew near to was the old Iraqi man. He seemed like such a sweet old man, but later in the movie we sadly hear that he is getting deported back to Iraq. This storyline is not rare, since Norway deports more and more illegal immigrants annually. Just how strict are the immigration policies in Norway? Norway is one of the most difficult countries to gain citizenship. (The Foreigner). An article in The Foreigner explained the controversy over a new immigration policy as of October, 2009. The minister of justice of Norway wants to "crack down" on asylum seekers and had a goal of deporting 4000 asylum seekers by Christmas without considering the opinions of the United Nations. The UN stated this new policy as "inhumane" and I do as well. Also, since 2009, ships even have to apply for and receive a "special sailing permit" to be on Norwegian waters (World Cruising Club). It appears that the government of Norway is trying to limit the opportunity for immigration, and I believe Zaman wanted to provoke this discussion.

The marriage between Renas and Fermesk was extremely frustrating at first. Fermesk was extremely insecure, as her husband bluntly ignored her due to her heavy weight. She was terrified, as she left her family and country to marry a man she knew only by a photo and to come to a country with a different language and different people. It is quite common for men to immigrate to Norway, and then have a woman apply for a fiancé visa (UDI). This is actually more of a permit and does not secure a residence visa. This is why Renas was constantly on the phone worrying about Fermesk's residence visa. We later found out that Fermesk lost her virginity back in Iraq, and she never wanted to go to Norway. This fear exemplified the major differences between cultures and how difficult and scary it is to integrate into society.

Fermesk, however, found it important to integrate for her well being. She took the bus everyday to a school, where she began learning Bokmål. Her dedication was clear, as she listened to tapes in her home and appeared eager to learn in the classroom.

The final character, who was more of the main character of the film, was Renas. Renas tried sticking to his Muslim roots, conforming to gender and social norms. For instance, he believed in an arranged marriage, and he felt like it was his responsibility to work while his wife stayed at home. In her case, she sometimes went to language class. Renas worked at a job that appeared to be in a factory, with little opportunity for advancement. According to ¬¬¬¬the Council of Europe and the European Commission, Norwegians businesses have remained stubbornly white at the top positions (6).

Why were the native Norwegians portrayed as distant and cold? First of all, it is common in the Norwegian culture to "keep to yourself" and not "make small talk." However, I think the situation with immigrants goes deeper than these norms. An intercultural profile on Oslo revealed that there is a prominent "strand of thinking that believes that true 'Norwegianness' lies in the blood" (Council of Europe ,1). Even though the Norwegian people may be accepting of immigration and asylum seekers, many refuse to believe immigrants will ever be "truly Norwegian." As I think of immigration, I often link immigrants to cities and urban areas. This movie was an exception, as the main characters lived in Nord Norge, in a house outside of a very small town. After doing some research, it became apparent that the Norwegian government tends to spread immigrants throughout the country. This strategy has "been seen as a means of avoiding the ghetto development" (Council of Europe).

I have great respect for the country of Norway, but every country has some room for improvement. "Vinterland" puts the issue of immigration in the spotlight. The dialog and filming builds attachment and sentimentality towards the main characters of the film. It gives examples of immigrants who deal with cultural changes, worry about getting a visa, being far away from home, and the worst-case scenario, getting rejected by the Norwegian government and getting deported. In the end, the couple seems to adjust, but it is not the case for everyone. This film is worth watching, and puts the life of an immigrant in perspective, which can be connect to others inside and outside the Norwegian context.