Stories4change

BEING WITH A MOUNTAIN

A documentary film by Clive Ardagh (original 30mins)

Standing guard over the ancient sea-way connecting Europe to the high arctic, and detached from the island on which it stands, the mountain Mjeldberget has awed and inspired for thousands of years. Seemingly carved into its seaward ridge by nature´s errosive forces lies the profile of a hag like troll, which together with the hill´s charismatic and almost disturbing presence, ensures it is the source of unending myth, theory, speculation and not least of all, passion.

Over a period of 3 years, in this unusual documentary, the film- maker has explored the many ways in which Mjeldberget is still reflected in peoples´ lives. A diverse, vibrant community on the remotest edge of Europe shows us that the connection between people and a natural object can develop in unexpected ways. Narrative is structured through an exploration of physical aspects of the mountain. From the context of the ordinary activites of every day life, the characters recount myths, stories and observations, moving from present to past, from the every-day to the mysterious, accross the seasons. The resulting impression is a contrast-full, often humerous, intense, visual experience. The film has been screened widly since its premier at the Tromsø International Filmfestival in 2006 and is for sale on DVD with English subtitles.