Aug. 24, 2012|United Kingdom | Norway | Denmark | Germany | Sweden|118 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Adventure;History
Description: “Kon-Tiki,” a 2012 historical drama directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, recounts the legendary 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition led by Thor Heyerdahl. Filmed primarily in Malta, the movie features Pål Sverre Hagen in the role of the renowned adventurer. This international co-production involved Norway, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
The film became Norway’s highest-grossing movie of 2012 and its most expensive production at the time. It earned prestigious accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and a Golden Globe nomination in the same category. This marked the first instance of a Norwegian film receiving nominations for both awards.
The story follows Thor Heyerdahl’s daring journey across the Pacific Ocean, challenging the prevailing theory that Polynesia was settled by migrants from the west. Heyerdahl aimed to prove that South Americans could have reached the islands in pre-Columbian times. Drawing parallels between South American statues and Polynesian moai, as well as referencing Polynesian folklore about an ancient tribe on Easter Island, he set out on a perilous voyage to demonstrate the feasibility of such a journey. Despite skepticism from experts, Heyerdahl’s expedition became a testament to human ingenuity and determination.
Cast director: Joachim Rønning
Cast actor: Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgård, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Jakob Oftebro, Agnes Kittelsen, Manuel Cauchi, Richard Trinder, Søren Pilmark
Original name: Kon-Tiki