Folktales

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1:53

Folktales

2025

1h 46m

Documentary

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85%

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53 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In Oscar®-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's life-affirming documentary, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway where they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions. In Norse mythology, the three "Norns" are powerful deities who weave the threads of fate and shape humans' futures. Today, Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway aims to produce a similar life-changing effect on its students. FOLKTALES tells the timely and heartwarming story of teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional "gap year" learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness, in hopes of finding connection and meaning in the modern world. Guided by patient teachers and a yard full of heroic Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them. Through intimate verité storytelling and exhilarating cinematography, Ewing and Grady examine humans on the cusp of adulthood, finding themselves at the edge of the world.

Critics Consensus

Folktales may skim the surface of its subjects' growing pains, but is most resonant in its heartwarmingly pleasant, canine-abundant exterior.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Dec 8

Strikingly photographed and rooted in the earthy rhythms and traditions of the land, this is restorative comfort cinema. that has a kinship with pictures such as The Truffle Hunters and Honeyland. A film to renew the soul.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Dec 3

4/5

Sequences of dog-sledding across blue-tinged frozen fields; building campfires under the aurora borealis, snowfields framed by dark and ancient trees; and tending to the school’s boisterous animals offer both visual adventure and lots of feels.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Dec 2

3/5

They have to swim in icy water; and they make it look like fun. What doesn’t look like fun is the camping out.

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Justine Elias

The Arts Desk

Dec 10

4/5

...Folktales reveals some deeper truths about how the young, and maybe all of us, are simply overwhelmed and overstimulated by the modern world.

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Dec 8

4/5

It's a remarkable look at people who care about helping young people find inner strength to face what the world has in store.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Dec 5

4/5

Mythic scenes aside, Ewing and Grady approach their storytelling in a quiet, unobtrusive way which almost gives viewers the impression that they are the ones choosing to follow this particular path through it all.

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Kevin L

@Lakeman Apr 9

A moving, insightful look at these young Sandanavian ppl as they struggle w/ some of the typical issues of teenagers- self-image, confidence, uncertainty, expectations from adults/camp elders. And then there's the culture of life in these very cold regions, from camping & surviving the weather, to sled dogs, and the rest of this challenging natural world. Hege was great. I was esp. impressed by her segments, and her growth during her time at the Pasvik Folk High School. Bjorn, and (esp.) Romain were a different pair. Lotta self-image, awkwardness issues. But hopefully the experience made them stronger and better overall. Good stuff- 3.8 stars

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Hank S

@Hank49 Mar 7

Sensitive depiction of coming of age experience in extraordinary back to nature, environment. Gorgeous scenery. Loved the dogs.

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Stephen D

Aug 11

The directors take the documentary form beyond all expectations. This is less documentary and more an ethereal narrative. Exquisite cinematography and sound design.

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Ruta S

@RT33515361 Aug 3

I can't recommend it. Although the idea of the film is really touching, as it lets us follow the growth and the struggles along the way of the teenagers trying to figure out "the chaos" of life. I find it unnecessary, however, for this to have the background glorifying dog sledding industry that is rather a cruel one, built almost entirely on the exploitation and abuse of dogs. These dogs are kept outside chained in all weather extremes, unable to move more than few feet in any direction of a box that's an embarrassment to call a doghouse... Tradition is no excuse for animal abuse, we can do (and teach kids) better.

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Coqui A

@RT70688428 Aug 2

Very touching and powerful documentary that shows the journey of a group of young people finding a sense of self and purpose in a gap year program that includes dog sledding and survival skills.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 25

Real footage in 1 hour and 46 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $128,900.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Norway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Heidi Ewing

Director

Rachel Grady

Director

Maiken Baird

Executive Producer

Michael Bloom

Executive Producer

Christine Connor

Executive Producer

Ian Darling

Executive Producer

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Folktales: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In Oscar®-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's life-affirming documentary, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway where they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions. In Norse mythology, the three "Norns" are powerful deities who weave the threads of fate and shape humans' futures. Today, Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway aims to produce a similar life-changing effect on its students. FOLKTALES tells the timely and heartwarming story of teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional "gap year" learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness, in hopes of finding connection and meaning in the modern world. Guided by patient teachers and a yard full of heroic Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them. Through intimate verité storytelling and exhilarating cinematography, Ewing and Grady examine humans on the cusp of adulthood, finding themselves at the edge of the world.

Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Producer: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures, Topic Studios, Fifth Season, Loki Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Norwegian
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $128.9K
Runtime: 1h 46m

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