The Art of Negative Thinking

Colour, 35 mm
Norway, 2006, 79 min
IP – International premiere
Section: Official Selection - Competition

Synopsis

Geirr is thirty-three. Two years ago he was involved in a car accident and is now impotent and unable to walk. In an attempt to save a marriage in crisis, Geirr’s wife Ingvild invites a group of physically disabled people to visit them, headed by the spirited psychologist Tori. The hitherto self-destructive lover of Johnny Cash and war films rebels against this uninvited invasion of “positive” energy and, aided by his at times brutal sincerity, he tries to gain control of the situation. Inside a fine-looking house in a peaceful part of town, a single night of score-settling evinces expressions of false sincerity, stifling compassion, and seemingly reliable methods for healing the soul. The debut director mixes a familiar brew of Scandinavian psychological drama about human relationships, and sarcastic black comedy, the whole viewed as a raw, quasi-documentary. The filmmaker’s original vision is enhanced by a musical accompaniment aimed at rock gourmets (Steppenwolf, Nina Simone and the above-mentioned Johnny Cash).

About the director

Bård Breien read literary history at Oslo university, and then studied film in Copenhagen. He has written scripts for educational and short films, including Que sera, sera. His first film, Franks prolaps, was nominated for the annual Norwegian Amanda film award in 2003. The film The Art of Negative Thinking is Breien’s feature film debut.