13/11
Norway’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film award; in the 97th Academy Awards category in 2025
Scenario
Armand, a 6-year-old boy, is accused of trespassing on his best friend at elementary school.
The feature debut of Halfdan Ulman Tonder, the grandson of Ingmar Bergman and Līva Ulmane, is a part-allegorical, part-naturalistic breakdown of the 21st-century child-rearing and education system, as well as their treatment of an "unfortunate incident" between two 6-year-old boys
Renāte Reinsve is the eccentric mother of the alleged perpetrator of the incident, Armand, and as she is investigated by her son’s teacher, the school administration, and the other boy’s parents, the film slowly descends into the abyss of their mutual relationship.
– a stupidity from which nothing good can ever emerge
Ulmans Tønder’s purpose and stance are strong, as is his artistic expression, which is clearly inspired by the work of his grandfather and, perhaps to some extent, Kubrick.