New Kalistani-Kazulian Film discusses Love and Culture
"Utvekslings" premiers at Under Nordlyset Music and Performing Art Fair in KazuliaHagsun, Kazulia
December 25, 5379Margrete Asleson and Don Esposito star in this romantic comedy about love despite cultural barriersTwo years ago, Republican Pictures began work with Kazulian movie company FilmKazulmark to produce a collaboratively made film. Kalistani film maker Steiner Brekken, who was himself born in Kazulia but immigrated to Kalistan as a child due to his parents health conditions, wanted to make a movie that highlighted all the weird things in both his native culture and his adopted culture. This clash of cultures then is depicted in his debut effort "Utvekslings" or "The Exchange", which is a title with a double meaning. "My leading man is both a non-traditional exchange student," said Brekken, "but he is also trading one culture for another. And, there is also a hint of, you know, maybe a little sexuality in the term as well... Though of course, by Kalistani standards the film is very sweet and tame."
The film, which stars Kazulian actress Margrete Asleson as Gjertrude and Kalistani surfer-turned-actor Don Esposito as Henry in the lead roles, follows Henry's relocation to Kazulia to attend school for interior design. "Henry wants a different life," said Brekken. "Kazulia is such a foreign nation, and yet he is surprised to find that everyone speaks Vrassan, or I should say Luthorian there when he gets there, but when people learn that he is from Kalistan, of course, nobody will speak to him in anything but Kazulianisk, which presents a problem for him right out of the gate." Henry struggles to learn the different cultural traditions of the nation and is about to give up when the pretty Gjertrude, herself a non-traditional student who has returned to school to study art and philosophy, takes pity on him and agrees to teach him about Kazulian culture and society. Proximity breeds familiarity and eventually they realize that they have romantic feelings for one another.
"But of course, Gjertrude's father [Markus, played exceptionally by the Kazulian actor Bengt Kolberg], an ardent nationalist is opposed to Gjertrude falling in love with Henry," explains Brekken. "Kalistani's are lax morally for Markus. He is concerned for his daughter but he is also just opposed to Kalistanis, who he feels to be a bad influence." Tensions with the father drive a wedge between the two lovers and eventually, Henry is deported following a night of heavy drinking and vandalism. Once Gjertrude learns that Henry is gone from Markus (who doesn't tell her the whole story), she thinks the worst of Henry. But ultimately she discovers the truth, finally confronts her domineering father, and receives his blessing on his death bed. And as the movie ends, Gjertrude arrives in Kaliburg International airport, just as the sun is rising, and with a smile, steps off to find Henry.
"The story proves that even love can overcome barriers of any height," said Brekken. "The story is one of hope and it is also one that presents my own native culture in both a very positive light (we have wonderful traditions in Kazulia, and the people, while reserved are really very kind once we get to know you) but also some corners, I think of parochialism that maybe we would be better doing without. It presents Kazulian culture as a living, growing thing. I wanted to showcase our beautiful Skalm to the world, but also I admit, I have to do it as an outsider, fascinated by more like a memory of the place I grew up, than as a person who has called Skalm "Home" for fifty years. Because while I intimately recognize the city, a lot has changed even since I have left, so it was like I was getting to know that city again for the first time. I tried to represent that feeling in this film as well."
When asked why he chose romance as the topic for his debut feature film, Brekken answered, "Well, I think beautiful people naturally gravitate toward one another. Henry was destined to meet Gjertrude, almost from his birth. The chemistry between the two characters was so natural and easy, and Don and Margrete played them so organically, it seemed like I almost didn't have to do any directing. But, also, the romance gives our audience an easy way to cheer for these two: It helps us get over the fact that Kalistan and Kazulia have historically not always gotten along the best, or if they did it wasn't the warmest friendship you could imagine. Why would a Kalistani even come to Kazulia? How could you convince a Kazulian to go to Kalistan? The answer must be 'To find love'. And so this is what happened in the movie."
The film premiered at the new Kazulian arts fest known as the
Under Nordlyset Music and Performing Arts Festival, where it was screened by more than 8 thousand Kazulians. It will premier in Kalistan in a week and is expected to do well at the Box Office. The soundtrack for the movie features several Kazulian bands plus Kalistan's own One Cold Year, who provided a track on the closing credits. "They wanted to try the song in Kazuliansk," said Brekken. "But after hearing how these vrassans mangled our language, I told our music director to have them re-record the lyrics in Vrassan and just sing from the heart. Their recut version was much more palatable, and fit in well among the other Kazulian songs in the film, some of which were sung in Luthorian anyway."
Brekken said he looks for more opportunities to make films and work with Kazulian actors and crews again in the future. "Utvekslings" will remain in Kazulia for the next month before leaving theaters in preparation for distribution on streaming and physical media. This movie is widely thought to provide an important assist in the nacent film industry in Kazulia.