Troll Hunter (15)

Starring: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud

Anthony Quinn
Friday 09 September 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

If you go down to the woods today – in Norway, that is – you're sure of a big surprise.

This elaborate mockumentary has a trio of student film-makers pursuing a story about bear-hunting and unearthing more than they bargained for. The mysterious woodsman (Otto Jesperson) in the Land Rover they've been tracking across country is no poacher. He is the last exponent of a noble yet secretive profession – hunting the giant trolls that inhabit the mountains and fjords. The writer-director Andre Ovredal has a droll time sending up Blair Witch-style DIY investigation, with characters conducting straight-faced discussions of troll lore: better not be a Christian if you go hunting a troll, or he'll smell you a mile off. When a new recruit to the docu-team says she's a Muslim, they ask the troll hunter if that's safe: "I honestly don't know," he replies. The film begins strongly, but once past the half-hour mark loses energy and direction. It also leaves an obvious question begging: having caught a troll on camera, wouldn't these tyro filmmakers simply hand it over to the TV news, thus instantly making their fortune and fame?

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in