Kjell Bjorn, Elling, and Pork with Gravy

It might not be obvious from my collection, but I love foreign films. Love them. I think there are so many gems of movies from all over the world but I only own a few. Elling is one of those great movies- the title comes from the main character and narrator in the film. It is Norwegian, subtitled, and the subject matter is focused on mental illness and just life. Elling has lived with his mother, never meeting any one else or leaving the house until his mother dies and the State comes to find him, alone and scared. He has incapacitating anxiety that makes him afraid to go outside, talk to others, use the phone, or try anything new. After sometime in an institution, the government has decided that Elling and his roommate from the institution, Kjell Bjorn, are ready for an apartment in Oslo on their own. 

This film has so many humorous moments as Elling and Kjell Bjorn learn about themselves and living on their own for the first time. Kjell Bjorn is obsessed with food and women and not always in that order. Elling learns through the expression of poetry that he is braver than even he knows. They have a unique and beautiful friendship that is so supportive and lovely. They help each other overcome their fears and express emotions. They meet new friends, Kjell falls in love, Elling buys and returns a lot of sauerkraut. Some of my favorite moments are learning how well these two men come to know one another and how perfectly they are paired to venture into the world together. 

It is also interesting how the film changes as time progresses- it starts out kind of scary and I have never noticed in the many times I have seen this movie that the screen tilts when the phone rings or the doorbell sounds. I cannot believe I have not noticed that before!! But it adds to the terror that these men feel about interacting with a world they are very uncomfortable in- that is until they find their own way to enjoy it. As the films ends the screen does not change when the phone rings, the men go on a vacation in an old Studebaker, Kjell even becomes a father, sort of. 

I recommend that you find time to watch this film, I'll let you borrow my copy if you want! If I were an RA and I wanted to program around Elling I think I would focus on the fear of the unknown. It might be a great film to show to college seniors that are transitioning out of college and into a new environment. Conversation could be focused on taking small steps outside of your comfort zone, a step a little farther each day. Students should also know that there are others, in their grad cohort, apartment building, the cubicle next door, who are just as afraid to jump off the ledge into the unknown as well. No one has to do it alone if they do not want to! Attending one poetry reading, one jazz bar jam session, one blush and brush night- can often lead to a new friendship, a new hobby, and just new when you start out in a new place. That makes that new place not so scary.