The Arctic Camels (Kamel)
Ajyal Competition
Karl Emil Rikardsen / Feature Documentary / Norway / 2019 / 75 min / Colour / DCP
In English, Mongolian, Norwegian
Interests: Documentary
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
Siblings Torarin and Svalin live with their parents in Akkarfjord, way up in Arctic Norway. Initially wanting horses to ride, they quickly get over their disappointment when their father buys them two Bactrian camels instead. The plan is to train them and build a camel centre offering rides to tourists—but camels are stubborn animals, and teaching them is certainly not a job for an amateur. Looking for outside help, the family pack their bags and head on an expedition to Mongolia, hoping to find a professional who will accept an invitation to travel to Norway and begin training their camels for riding.
Deep in the Gobi Desert, they find the perfect candidate. But the family are not prepared for Mongolian training methods, preferring a much softer approach to disciplining the animals. Told from Torarin’s perspective, the film shares his journey and feelings towards incorporating the Mongolian practices into their Nordic-European way of life. Set against the beautiful contrasting landscapes of Mongolia and Norway, ‘The Arctic Camels’ is a charming and bumpy ride that observes our relationships to, and expectations of, working animals.
About the Directors
Karl Emil Rikardsen is a producer and director from Harstad, Norway. He studied philosophy and economics before studying media at Volda University College in 1984. He has directed, written and produced more than 30 films, including single documentaries, documentary series and fiction films. He directed the 8-episode series ‘Salt & Pepper’, following the socialization of bears and wolves at the world’s northernmost Polar Zoo.
Credits
- Director
- Karl Emil Rikardsen
- Screenwriter
- Karl Emil Rikardsen
- Producer
- Knut Skoglund, Karl Emil Rikardsen
- Editor
- Tell Aulin, Bodil Kjærhauge, Klaus Heinecke
- Co-Producer
- Anna Björk, Maria Stevnbak Westergren
- Cinematographer
- Viggo Knutsen
- Sales Company
- Autlook Filmsales GmbH
- Production Company
- Relation04 Media in collaboration with Pomor Film
- Cast
- Bor & Bestla, Torarin Sætereng, Svalin Sætereng, Oddveig and Øystein Sætereng