Indian-Norwegian film seminar

Ladies and gentlemen,

“Film is dream, film is music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.”

This is a quote by Ingmar Bergman, probably the most famous Scandinavian film director.

As film is of special interest to me, it is a great pleasure to open this seminar for Indian and Norwegian film producers.

India has one of the world’s largest film industries, with an impressing output of more than 1000 films a year. Norway, on the other hand, produces around 20. I understand that every Indian film has an audience of several million, something the Norwegian film industry can only dream of.

At the same time, film is a medium that helps to strengthen the ties between us. Indian films are gaining popularity in Western society. For the last years Oslo has had its own Bollywood festival, and public interest is growing rapidly.

Two of the main ingredients in Indian films are mystery and beauty. Norway can provide both. I hope you will learn more today about what Norway has to offer, especially when it comes to scenery. One of our beautiful fjords could be a perfect backdrop for an Indian love story. In return, I hope Norwegian film producers will learn more about what India has to offer on the production side.

The cinema is in a privileged position among the arts because the language of film is truly international. We can all understand and enjoy a good film. It gives entertainment – and stimulates reflection. A good film can give us new insight on relationships and complex issues. Above all, a good film can help us understand ourselves.

In today’s world where we are constantly facing new situations and challenges, it is becoming more and more important to raise awareness of shared values. International contact and cooperation in the arts and culture are some of our most valuable tools in this effort.

I wish you a successful and productive seminar, and hope it will result in closer cooperation between India and Norway in the field of film.