“Armand”, interview with director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel and actress Renate Reinsve

May 24, 2024

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel: “I wanted to explore the grey areas of boundaries and how we deal with them in society”

“Armand”, interview with director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel and actress Renate Reinsve Chiara Nicoletti

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After two short films, “Bird” and “Fanny“, Norwegian director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel presents his debut feature, “Armand“, in the Un Certain Regard section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

Grandson of Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann, Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel chooses to have by his side, actress Renate Reinsve, who, since her breakout role in “The worst person in the world“, is, film by film, showing her abilities in embodying different and multifaceted characters.

Taking place entirely in a school before the holidays, the film sees Renate Reinsve in the role of a mother being called in for a meeting at her son Armand’s school as something happened between him and his friend Jon.

“I thought it was both interesting and funny to use the idea of something «adult» that had happened between two kids as a base for the story” says Ullmann Tøndel in his press notes as he reveals that “he wanted to explore the grey areas of boundaries and how we deal with them in society nowadays”.

Plot

One of the last days before the school holidays something happens between six year old Armand and Jon. The parents are called in for a meeting, but the school management doesn't really know what actually happened. Was it just a children’s game or something much more serious? The incident between the two boys triggers a series of events, forcing parents and school staff into a captivating battle - where madness, desire and obsession arise.

Written by: Chiara Nicoletti

Guest

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel Renate Reinsve

Film

Armand The worst person in the world

Festival

Cannes Film Festival

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