Fjord asks questions about how progressive and very traditional views can co-exist in a modern society and is another great addition to the Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival 2026.
Fjord screens as part of the Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival 2026, more information about the festival is available here:
https://www.palacenova.com.au/events/hurtigruten-nordic-film-festival-2026
Read the Glam Adelaide story about the festival here: Glam Adelaide – Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival 2026
Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Fjord is a fascinating look at the Norwegian child protection system (Barnevernet) which has received criticism from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), certain foreign governments, human rights organisations, and some local child welfare professionals for its policies and practices in relation to its emergency child-removal. Additionally, all physical punishment, slapping, or spanking of children is illegal. In Fjord, these practices and laws are seen through the example of how they apply to a devout Christian Romanian family.
Fjord is set in a small village on the edge of a fjord overshadowed by huge majestic mountains with avalanches that frequently shower the village. The Gheorghiu family move into the community. The father, Mihai (Sebastian Stan), is a Romanian and the mother, Lisabet (Renate Reinsve) is Norwegian and the remote village is her mother’s birthplace. They have five children including teenagers, Elia (Vanessa Ceban) and Emmanuel (Jonathan Ciprian Breazu). Their new neighbors are Mia (Lisa Carlehed) and her husband Mats (Markus Tønseth) who is also the school principal. Mihai’s new job in the town is IT support for the same school although he is well over-qualified for the position. Mia and Mats also have a teenage daughter, Noora (Henrikke Lund-Olsen) that befriends Elia and Emmanuel.
Mihia and Lisabet bring their children up in accordance with their strict religious beliefs that are much different from their neighbors. When Elia arrives at school with bruises the full force of the Norwegian child protection system swings into action and Mihia and Lisabet must fight to get their children back.
Written and directed by Cristian Mungiu, who has now won the Palme d’Or twice, Fjord brilliantly poses hard questions that are difficult to answer primarily because these issues are complex and value driven but will lead to discussions long after you leave the cinema.
Stan is a long way away from his Marvel Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier role but performs superbly along with the rest of the cast.
With the symbolism of the imposing and potentially dangerous mountains hanging over the village, Fjord asks questions about how progressive and very traditional views can co-exist in a modern society and is another great addition to the Hurtigruten Nordic Film Festival 2026.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating 4 out of 5
Distributor: Palace Films
