An interview with Hege, star of Folktales
Katie, one of DCA's Discovery Young Programmers, interviews Hege, star of the documentary Folktales
Discovery Young Programmers are a group of 15-to-18 year olds who are passionate about film. They attended a two-week summer programme at DCA to learn more about film programming, and have selected to screen the film Folktales at DCA Cinema as part of this year's Discovery Film Festival.
Folktales is a heartwarming documentary about three teenagers, each experiencing their own challenges, who are dropped in the arctic wilderness for one year to attend a "folk high school" in rural Norway. Separated from modern life, Hege, Romain, and Bjørn Tore must rely only on themselves and a pack of loyal sled dogs as they take the daunting step from childhood to adulthood.
Discovery Young Programmer Katie had the exciting opportunity to interview Hege, one of the stars of Folktales. Read on to find out more about Hege's time in the arctic, her experiences with grief and what surviving in the great outdoors taught her.
Published
What is one unexpected lesson you encountered in your experience?
An unexpected lesson I had was, I would say, learning myself all over again. I thought I had an idea of where I wanted to go in life, what I wanted with my life, and who I was. But you discover so much about yourself when you are sent to a pace where you don't know anyone and don't really know what awaits you.
Is there anything you wish you had known before you started at Pasvik?
If there is one thing I wish I had known, is that everything was going to be okay. In the moment, you think your whole life is falling apart – at least that is what I felt. I wish i could have told myself back then: “it's going to be fine; you can handle this.
Is there any advice that you would give young girls today?
The advice I would give young girls today is simple: you do not always have to fit in. You can belong even if you do not fit in perfectly. I am still myself, but I am a better version of myself now. I have more friends today than I did when I cared too much about what others thought of me. Of course, I still care a little, but it matters less now. I care more about what the people who truly know me think. So, my advice to young people, and especially girls, is this: it is not so important to fit in - because you belong no matter who you are.
Now that you have graduated from the school and given what we see at the end of the film, what are you doing with your life now ? Any updates?
These days, I work as an assistant store manager in a pet shop in my hometown of Sandnes. It's the closest thing to dog sledding i could find here, so that's what i chose. | also work night shifts and as an assistant in a home for people with disabilities. I try to spend as much time in nature as possible. Life is busy, so I'm not always great at it, but I remind myself how important it is. Nature is my safe spot. When life goes up and down, as it always does, it feels so good to just get outside. Spending a night outdoors, going for a short hike, or even just half an hour on the terrace makes huge difference.
What lesson do you wish people take from the film after watching ?
For me, it's important that everyone takes their own lesson from the story. We are different people, three different stories told from one perspective, and everyone will interpret it differently. You saw the documentary in a completely distinct way than, for example, a friend of mine or one of my siblings. No matter who you are, you watch the film from your own point of view. Heidi and Rachel were very good at capturing that. The film feels neutral, and it lets you learn and reflect on your own.
What was it like working with Heidi and Rachel; who spoke a different language and from a separate culture separate from the rest of the cast & crew ?
Working with Heidi and Rachel was amazing. They are two of the closest people in my life today. They have this incredible ability to make people feel comfortable, Even though this is their job, they genuinely care about the people they make documentaries about. I never felt like I was left behind afterwards. We are still in regular contact now, a year after filming the last scenes.
Your grief was a predominant theme in the film and you shared very personal feeling in this. How difficult was this for you and what did you wish to gain from sharing this story?
Talking about grief was something very personal. For me, it was the first time I really opened up about it. Some of my closest friends knew about it, but they dian't know the details. I never wanted to be labeled as "the girl who lost her father" or "the girl whose father was killed." Opening up in the documentary helped me let go a little. Of course, I'm not finished with my grief - maybe you never really are - but it takes time. This was just one step along the way.
Thank you to Katie and Hege for the brilliant interview.
You can see Folktales at DCA Cinema on Sun 2 November at 15:15 - all tickets Donate What You Can.
