Anja Breien facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anja Breien
Anja Breien in 2016 (Ankara, Turkey)
Born	(1940-07-12) 12 July 1940 (age 85) Oslo, Norway
Occupation	Film director and screenwriter
Years active	1967–present

Anja Breien (born July 12, 1940) is a famous Norwegian film director and screenwriter. She is known as one of the most important filmmakers in Norway. Breien was one of the first women to become a well-known director and writer in her country. Her movies, both stories and documentaries, often explore important social topics, especially the rights of women in Norway.

A Career in Filmmaking

Early Life and First Films

After studying French at the University of Oslo, Anja Breien decided to study filmmaking. She went to a famous film school in France called L'Institut des hautes études cinématographiques (IDHEC) and graduated in 1964.

She started her film career by helping on movie sets. Her first job was as a script supervisor for the 1961 film Det store varpet. She also worked as an assistant director on the famous 1966 film Hunger (Sult).

In 1967, Breien directed her first short film, called Growing Up. Two years later, she made a short documentary called 17. May – A Film about Rituals. This film took a funny look at how Norwegians celebrate their National Day.

Her first full-length movie, released in 1971, was a serious drama. It told the story of a man who is wrongly accused of a crime. The film was praised by critics but also started a big discussion about the justice system in Norway.

Famous Films and Success

The Wives Trilogy

In 1975, Breien directed Wives (Hustruer), which became a huge success in Scandinavia. The movie was made to show a woman's point of view, inspired by an American film called Husbands. It's about three friends who decide to take a break from their daily lives and families to have an adventure.

The movie was so popular that Breien made two sequels. Wives - Ten Years After came out in 1985, and Wives III was released in 1996. These films show the same characters 10 and 20 years later, exploring how their lives have changed.

Historical and Family Stories

Breien also made films about history. Her 1981 movie Witch Hunt (Forfølgelsen) tells the story of a woman in the 1600s who is accused of being a witch. The film was a way to talk about how society can sometimes treat people unfairly. It was selected to compete for a major prize at the Venice Film Festival.

Her 1979 film, Next of Kin (also known as The Inheritance), is about a family fighting over who will inherit the family business. This film was nominated for the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the famous 1979 Cannes Film Festival. It won another important award there, the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury.

Documentaries and Later Work

Besides her story-based films, Breien has made many documentaries. In 1997, she made a short documentary called Solvorn. It was special because it used a set of old photographs taken by her grandmother to tell a story. The film was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Her Unique Filmmaking Style

Anja Breien is known for a realistic style that shows life as it really is. She often uses a technique called the long take, where the camera records for a long time without stopping. This makes the scenes feel more natural and lets the audience focus on the characters. Her films often have a calm and thoughtful pace, giving viewers time to think about the story.

Selected Filmography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Anja Breien para niños