Armand

Director: Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Script: Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Cinematography: Pål Ulvik Rokseth
Editing: Robert Krantz
Music: Ella van der Woude
Producer: Andrea Berentsen Ottmar
Cast: Renate Reinsve, Elen Dorrit Peterson, Qystein Roger

Norway 2024
117′

polish subtitles

Two mothers, two sons, one school incident – that’s the short description of Armand, the debut film by Norwegian director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, awarded the Caméra d’Or at Cannes.

Armand is causing trouble at school again. His eccentric mother (Renate Reinsve) is called in for a meeting with the teacher. To her surprise, the parents of another boy are also waiting for her at the school. None of those present truly knows what really happened. This (possibly) minor incident between the boys is like a needle puncturing the balloon of tension between their mothers. The conflict escalates, with truth mixing with lies, as the women engage in a psychological battle for attention and trust.

The director confines the action to the school halls and a few hours, gradually raising the emotional temperature while constantly shifting the film’s tone—from dramatic to comedic. Renate Reinsve’s brilliant performance, who recently dazzled in The Worst Person in the World, stays with us long after leaving the theater.