Fredrikstad Animation Festival 2020

Ivo Caprino's classic fairytale films

Expired October 28, 2020 10:59 PM
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2020 marks 100 years since one of the most significant figures in the history of Norwegian film was born. Through his work with puppet and animated films, Ivo Caprino has made an invaluable contribution to the Norwegian cultural heritage and holds a central position in the more than 100-year-long history of Norwegian animation.


Most famous amongst Caprino's works is the feature film Pinchcliffe Grand Prix, which to this day is the biggest box office success of all time in Norwegian cinemas. The film is based on characters created by author and humourist Kjell Aukrust, and was the first Norwegian animated feature film – only followed by a new all Norwegian animated feature film a whopping 23 years later. It is certainly no exaggeration to call the film legendary, and virtually all Norwegians maintain a special relationship with this childhood classic.


Also Caprino's short films are considered important works in Norwegian film history and have played a major role in how Norwegian folk tales are perceived today. To honour Ivo Caprino's legacy, we are showing a selection of his short films, as well as the legendary Pinchcliffe Grand Prix.

The Ashlad and the Hungry Troll is the story about how Askeladden, the hero of Norwegian traditional fairytales, outwitted the good-natured troll. The film tells the story of a poor farmer and his three sons. Both the elder sons are lazy, while the youngest, Askeladden, is constantly sitting by the hearth, raking the ashes and daydreaming. The father owns a forest and sends the three brothers into the woods to do the logging. The two elder sons set off reluctantly, but escape home after a great troll shows up and scares them out of their wits. Askeladden however is not afraid, and ends up challenging the troll to an eating competition.

  • Year
    1967
  • Runtime
    12:00
  • Country
    Norway
  • Director
    Ivo Caprino
  • Producer
    Caprino Studios/Caprino Filmcenter
  • Cinematographer
    Finn Bergan
  • Animator
    Ivo Caprino
  • Production Design
    Ingeborg Gude, Tore Nergård
  • Music
    Christian Hartmann