Sundance brings films for kids to the festival!
Promontory’s Kids Cabin “Sundance Festival” camp was privileged to be part of the World Premier for the Norwegian movie, “Operation Arctic” on January 22nd. The film featured real life interactions of children at play in the Northern regions of the world, and captured the attention of the audience immediately. From the start, the story keeps you guessing and offers a few moments that make you jump out of your seat. Promontory kids enjoyed the film and stayed for the question and answer session afterwards to meet the Director, Grethe Boe-Wall. 
Sundance Film Festival premiered “Operation Arctic” to young audiences during the film festival. This Arctic adventure, written and directed by Grethe Boe-Wall, took 13 years from conception to life on the big screen. “Operation Arctic” is the first Norwegian children’s film ever invited to Sundance. Described as a modern day Robin Crusoe adventure, the action adventure features a leading character, 13 year old Julia and her twin siblings, who are lost on a deserted arctic island. The children must survive the elements as they find ways to make contact with home. An underlying theme that adults will recognize, is that when given a challenge, the need to survive comes to the forefront, even to the young. The theme is echoed by a mother polar bear as she takes care of her baby cub.
Our young critics from the Promontory Kids’ Cabin included: 8-year olds Bella and Beckley and Summer, age 9. The girls along, with Program Director Kathy Carr, enjoyed the Sundance experience and were excited to be among the world premier crowd to see “Operation Arctic”. The Promontory Kids’ Cabin gave the film “5 stars” and recommend it as a family-friendly, high adventure movie suitable for children ages 7 and older. The movie is in Norwegian with English subtitles. Because the dialog is simple, it is very easy to follow the subtitles and you actually forget you are watching a foreign film.
Bella, age 8, thought the fire explosion scene was very realistic and the children actors did a great job showing fear. Summer noted that it was easy to follow the subtitles and she jumped out of her seat when Julia picks up a rifle and fires a shot. Beckley especially liked the scenes shot with the mother polar bear and that the kids had a dog companion with them during their time they were stranded on the island.
Promontory Kids hope “Operation Arctic” will get world-wide distribution including the United States, keeping the native Norwegian language and the English subtitles.
Congratulations to Grethe Boe-Wall for capturing an adventure in the Arctic to the point that those in the audience actually felt cold, but none-the-less fully entertained!
Promontory Kids’ Cabin is engaged in offering programs to children and youth that bring out creativity through the Arts. Promontory club members can enjoy year round camps that focus on childhood play, adventure and imagination. Further partnerships for 2015 will include the Utah Film Center Festival for children held in September.
Children can also be a part of our epic Movie Maker’s camp held every July. The Promontory Member Field Guide and Calendar has all the details for children and teens to participate with us this coming summer! Find out how your family can become part of the Promontory community!
