Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim, Joachim Trier is a director who unfotunately hasn’t seemed to break out in the way he deserves. Following up the excellent Reprise, he has created perhaps an even better drama with Oslo, August 31st. We gave it an “A” during TIFF last year (full review here), calling it “brilliantly orchestrated” and a “powerful work that’s hard to believe took only four months to write and a year to complete.” Trier is “a master at handling emotion and aesthetic” and while “the subject matter may be a downer, but somehow the film shines with a glimmer of hope.” Check out a new trailer and fairly plain poster below via Apple for the film starring Anders Danielsen Lie, Malin Crepin, Aksel M. Thanke, Hans Olav Brenner, Ingrid Olava and Oystein Roger.
Synopsis:
Thirty-four-year-old Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie) is a fortunate, but deeply troubled man battling drug addiction. As part of his rehabilitation program, he is allowed to go into the city for a job interview, but instead uses the opportunity as a way to drift around and revisit old friends. The day grows increasingly difficult as he struggles to overcome personal demons and past ghosts for the chance at love and a new life.
Oslo, August 31st arrives on May 25th, 2012.