Directors Audrey Ewell and Aaron Aites spent two years in Norway -- more specifically in Oslo and Bergen -- to follow the most famous and controversial members of Norway's heavy metal crew, and approach the movement and music from the perspective of those who make the music and live the lifestyle.
Featured in the film, Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell, Varg Vikernes, Jan Axel "Hellhammer" Blomberg, Kjetil "Frost" Haraldstad, Ivar Bjornson, Abbath and Demonaz Doom Occulta, Kris "Garm" Rygg, Bjarne Melgaard and other heavy metal heavies speak out about their mores and aesthetics. Their comments are direct and brashly negative about virtually everything.
Underlying the impressions and information that are presented through the director's observational style are questions about the point at which the heavy metal style, which expresses the nihilistic attitude of musicians and fans, leads to actual physical acts of violence against other people and social institutions. The film presents the answers to those questions from the musicians's points of view, but it's never quite clear whether the documentary is intended to be a niche-oriented expression for heavy metal fans or an expose that reveals the roots of the metal movement's relationship to Norwegian society at large. Still, the archival footage is interesting and the interviews are engaging.
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Film Details:
- Until The Light Takes Us - 2009
- Until The Light Takes Us
- Directors: Audrey Ewell and Aaron Aites
- US Theatrical Release Date: December 4, 2009 (limited)
- Parental Advisory: Content advisory for parents
- Location: Norway, Sweden, Italy, USA
- Language: English
- Production Country: USA
- Production Company: Artists Public Domain
- Distribution Company: Variance Films
