Norwegian Filmmaker Anders Teig is Making Waves and Discovering New, Undiscovered Lands in the Independent Film World

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By: Steffon Olsen 

Viking filmmaker, Anders Teig, from Norway, was first inspired to move in the direction of filmmaking at the age of five, when his brilliant directorial gift led him to begin writing and producing small live plays, bringing together, cast and crew. As Teig continued to develop as a filmmaker in the direction of his dreams, he had the privilege to work with a few well-known, accomplished actors at a young age, including Ian Mckellen.

Now, decades later, Teig has become one of the most celebrated new director/writers in Norway and throughout the independent film industry.

Two of his previous short films, include “Rubbish Robbers, which has won several international awards. The rebel filmmaker has also published a novel called, “ The Peculiar Bust at Cimetiere de Montmartre”, a thriller set in Paris in the 1960’s.  He has also founded the publishing house, “Bergen Book Brewery”. Other short-film masterpieces in Anders Teig’s impressive early career, include: Haikeren (2013), Mordier Actum(2021), and Skuddene Pa’ Boergenhus(2021).

Scorpius recently had the pleasure of revisiting the Viking filmmaker to do a follow-up interview for our 10-Year Anniversary issue.

Scorpius:  Scorpius originally discovered you just four years ago when we had the unforgettable pleasure of watching one of your recent short films, “Rubbish Robbers,” a hilarious, black comedy which became a huge hit at independent film festivals around the world and starred, Calle Hellevang Larsen, one of the most popular comedians in Norway. There was also a tour de force performance by Sigurd Sele. You have before and since produced a couple of other masterpieces, including: Haikeren(The Passenger) (2013), Mordier Actum(2021), and Skuddene Pa’ Boergenhus(2021).

What can you tell us about the back story to each of these films?

Teig: The backstory of “Haikeren” or “The Passenger” is quite curious—I met an American in Norway, Carl Elmore, after connecting through a filmmaking website. We shared ideas, and one concept he brought to the table involved a man endlessly driving around with hitchhikers. I transformed this into a short film about a solitary figure picking up a blind hitchhiker, desiring only company, not particularly concerned with the hitchhiker’s destination. We were incredible happy to cast Kristofer Hivju, known for “Game of Thrones,” as the main character. His participation was not only lucky but also an immensely educational experience for me.

“Rubbish Robbers” arose from a completely different source. In my efforts to secure funding for the post-WWII film “Skuddene på Bergenhus” and repeatedly facing rejection, I channeled my growing frustration into a new script. My intent was to write something easily fundable, set in a single location, and during a two-day whirlwind, I conceived a story about a team of professional robbers featuring Calle as the beyond belief hopeless fool. Initially perceiving it as too absurd, I shelved it, only to rediscover and appreciate its humor a year later, much to the producers’ delight. Despite Calle’s busy schedule, we shaped our production timeline around him, and to our amazement, “Rubbish Robbers” has enjoyed international success, defying my expectations about region-specific humor.

Thanks to the success of “Rubbish Robbers,” “Skuddene på Bergenhus” finally received the green light. The story materialized all at once one day, but I felt I did not have the skills to be able to write it at that time, but post-“Haikeren,” I had honed my skills. It took a committed eight-year partnership with my producer Trude Refsahl to create what became my most significant film to date.

Scorpius:  Looking back on your childhood, what was one of the most powerful and impactful experience you may have had that influenced and inspired you to move in the direction of storytelling and filmmaking?

Teig:  Reflecting on my childhood, a potent memory that nudged me toward storytelling was listening to the beloved Norwegian children’s story “In the Forest of Huckybucky” by Thorbjørn Egner. At age five, I took passages from the play and got my friends at kindergarten to make it into a play with me directing. We showed it to the other children and the adults after a couple of days rehearsing, revealing early signs of my directorial inclinations.

Scorpius:  Can you name one particular filmmaker who has been your greatest inspiration in your career as a filmmaker?

Teig:  Filmmaker inspirations shift, but the action-adventure epics of the 80s, crafted by geniuses like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, had the most profound impact on me, giving me the desire to recreate those kind of cinematic experiences.

Scorpius:  Who has been one of your favorite actors to work with on your recent projects and what are possibly some experiences have you had with them which may have influenced your choice?

Teig:  Choosing a favorite actor to work with is a challenge, more like impossible; however, working with Kristofer Hivju for my first film was incredibly instructional. Observing him inhabit his role and provide a wealth of different adjustments for each take showed me the depth of an actor’s craft. However, every actor I’ve worked with has left an indelible mark on my films and me.

Scorpius:  What is the most powerful driving force behind your filmmaking?

Teig:  The most powerful driving force in my filmmaking is the compelling need to bring the stories that abruptly appear in my mind to life, much like sudden inspiration struck for the novel I wrote. It’s a long and arduous journey from thought to screen.

Scorpius:  You’re known for being a dedicated husband and father, how has your family influenced your career as a filmmaker?

Teig:  My family, particularly my wife Marianne, is the cornerstone of my filmmaking endeavors. With me balancing a full-time job at TV 2, managing film and book projects, running a publishing company, and venturing into computer game development with the talented Darroch McNaught—all would be unfeasible without my family´s support.

Scorpius:  Norway is one of the most popular countries amongst filmmakers throughout the world, due to its vast, scenic location options. What have been your favorite locations you have chosen to shoot in the past and what locations do you possibly still have your eye on for future projects?

Teig:  Bergen’s allure is unmatched, and the city’s cinematic offerings are a prime example of Norway’s potential as a filming location. While being a proud «Bergenser», I look forward to showcasing my hometown further and seeing more filmmakers discover its beauty.

Scorpius:  If you had to recall two of the most evocative and memorable scenes you have ever shot, which have inspired you to continue on as a director, what would they be, and why?

Teig:  Looking back, two scenes stand out: my cringe-inducing acting debut in “Rubbish Robbers,” which deepened my respect for actors, and the elaborate execution scene in “Skuddene på Bergenhus,” an exhilarating immersion into big-budget filmmaking that was such a fantastic experience on so many levels.

Scorpius:  Is there anything you can tell us about current irons in the fire, as far as future scripts, films you’re working on?

Teig:  Currently, I’m engaged in two documentaries: one on the street art scene in Bergen, and the other is an artist transforming trash into art across Europe. There’s also a comedy short on the horizon, featuring Calle Hellevang Larsen and Sigurd Sele, set to hit the festival circuit in 2026. And I’m poised to transition feature scripts into productions by the summer of 2025—if there are any interested producers out there.

Scorpius:  If you could impart one word of advice to the younger generation of filmmakers, what would it be?

Teig:  As for advice to the younger generation, believing in oneself is paramount—as is recognizing that, while we may never equal the legend of Scorsese, perseverance through the arduous fun of filmmaking is the path to greatness. Write, shoot, edit – repeat.  It is really all you have to do.

Now do it!