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Folktales

Play trailer Poster for Folktales 2025 1h 46m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 14 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Weary of the often crushing pressures felt by members of Gen Z, three teenagers make the daring decision to leave the comforts of home to enroll in the Pasvik Folkehøgskole in the wilds of northern Norway. Dropped in the arctic wilderness for one year, Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore must rely on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood. Freed of technology, social media, and the noise of modern life, this brave trio learn to face themselves for the first time -- and experience an unexpected, wondrous transformation.

Critics Reviews

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Peter Howell Toronto Star It’s beautiful to watch humanity’s best friends alleviate modern coming-of-age anxieties in troubled teens. The chilly Arctic climes make for an especially illuminating backdrop. Rated: 3/4 Feb 5, 2025 Full Review Matthew Creith TheWrap The ending is meant to be poignant, but it never satisfies in the manner the filmmakers intend. Even when we witness the after-effects of the dog sledding program and where these teenagers end up after graduation, the result isn’t satisfying. Jan 27, 2025 Full Review Kate Erbland IndieWire Not everything turns out the way we expect, not every story has a tidy ending, but no one ever said becoming a new self was easy or expected. Folk high school? It helps. And, yes, I’d still like to go. Rated: B+ Jan 27, 2025 Full Review Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Unfortunately it also feels repetitive with sluggish pacing that I grew tired of after a while. One of those Sundance documentaries that would be better as a short, but we get a feature. Mar 7, 2025 Full Review Alex Billington FirstShowing.net Folktales is an instant all-time favorite doc. Another doggie doc masterpiece. Another film that I think can and will change lives. Rated: 10/10 Feb 9, 2025 Full Review Cody Dericks Next Best Picture Thrilling dog sledding sequences, hilarious teenage embarrassments, and sympathetic emotional breakthroughs all work together to make “FOLKTALES” a powerful watch. Rated: 7/10 Jan 31, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Heidi Ewing

Director

Rachel Grady

Director

Heidi Ewing

Producer

Rachel Grady

Producer

Lisa Schejola Akin

Executive Producer

Jeffrey Akin

Executive Producer

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Folktales

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Movie Info

Synopsis Weary of the often crushing pressures felt by members of Gen Z, three teenagers make the daring decision to leave the comforts of home to enroll in the Pasvik Folkehøgskole in the wilds of northern Norway. Dropped in the arctic wilderness for one year, Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore must rely on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood. Freed of technology, social media, and the noise of modern life, this brave trio learn to face themselves for the first time -- and experience an unexpected, wondrous transformation.
Director
Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Producer
Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Norwegian
Runtime
1h 46m