The Oscar nominated live action short Knight of Fortune ushers us into sharing the grief with both the main characters Karl and Torben. There was line from the streaming series, Three Pines that aired on Prime Video I will never forget. “Grief is just love looking for a place to go.”
That one statement is exactly what Knight of Fortune is all about. A short film that brings a bit of humor, compassion, an unknowing friendship where grief doesn’t have to be experienced alone.
Director Lasse Noer, along with producer Christian Norlyk magnificently created a film that is Oscar worthy. Here at Bond on Cinema, we don’t throw the term Oscar-worthy around casually. There are elements that have to be met to be called Oscar-worthy.
One, the storytelling has to capture the audience from the first scene (talking short films here) which Knight of Fortune does perfectly.
Two, the cinematography should be top notch or unique in telling the story and KoF does that to perfection. The viewer from absorb the setting of Karl and Torben, being placed in a morgue to say their goodbyes to their wives. You feel the emptiness, the coldness as it comes through the screen. You can’t help to stand by them, having the same feeling of not sure what you want to say to comfort them and feel a bit helpless in the process.
Three. For a short film to capture the term Oscar worthy it has to have a bit of unpredictability that KoF brings to us in the most subtle of ways. There are films that hit you in the gut with a dramatic twist which we love, but Knight of Fortune does it slowly, but at a perfect pace to the very end.
Knight of Fortune deserves are strong watch and Academy members need to absorb this film to truly grasp its compassionate message. This could be the dark horse that wins the Oscar for Best Live Action Short. And if it does, we will stand with great applause.
Watch the Bond on Cinema Interview with Lasse Noer and Christian Norlyk
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Director Lasse Noer’s KNIGHT OF FORTUNE has officially been nominated for a 2024 Academy Award. Through comedic and solemn scenes, Noer’s short film follows a heartwarming tale of a friendship growing between two men, found through their grief.
The loss of a loved one, the grief, the risk of yellow skin, and a coffin, that is too much for Karl to face. Then it’s much easier to fix a broken lamp. Karl meets Torben – a destined brother. An absurd, humorous, and melodic meeting between two old men captured by grief
Writer/director Lasse Noer graduated from The Film and Photo School of Copenhagen, and Multiplatform Storytelling and Production in Aarhus. In late 2015 he co-founded the production company Jalabert Production in order to have more control in the making of his films. He has since then written and directed films all over the world both for commercial clients and musicians such as Overwek, Rasmus Seebach, Jack & Jones, Carlsberg, Tuborg, Hummel, and more. His films often move into the realm of the Dark Comedy-genre as he loves exploring subjects that are taboo or controversial, with humor.
Christian Norlyk, the producer behind Jalabert Production, embarked on his career journey in 2008 while still in high school. He started by creating a series of low-budget short films, often infused with a satirical twist. At the end of 2015, Christian & Lasse co-founded Jalabert Production, their own production company. Since its inception, Jalabert Production has produced an array of prominent productions spanning two short films, a featurette, four pilot episodes, multiple branded content projects, music videos, and two documentaries both nationally and internationally.
Producer Kim Magnusson has received 7 Academy Awards nominations and 2 awards, all for short films. Currently serving as Head of Creative of Scandinavian Film Distribution, Magnusson graduated from the AFI Conservatory in 1991 and is credited as a producer in more than 150 films. He was chairman of the Danish Film Academy for 20 years, as well as the Danish Producers Association for 9 years. Magnusson’s short film ELECTION NIGHT won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 1999. His other nominated short films include HELMER & SON, WOLFGANG, ERNST & LYSET, SILENT NIGHTS, ON MY MIND and also produced last year’s nominee IVALU. He received his fifth Oscar nomination and his second award for the 2013 short film HELIUM.
KNIGHT OF FORTUNE has been nominated for a 2024 Academy® Award.
