At the invitation of Visit Norway, we attended the premiere of the Norwegian film *Sounds of Earth* at the Eye in Amsterdam. Read more here about this impressive documentary, the stunning Nordfjord region and Oldedalen Valley in Norway where the film was shot, and why you’ll want to visit.
The story in the film centers on filmmaker Margreth Olin’s 84-year-old father. He takes you on a year-long journey on foot through the spectacular Norwegian valley of Oldedalen. Surrounded by glaciers, green mountain slopes, waterfalls, and drones, he shares family stories that have been passed down through generations living in this area. Stunning macro shots of nature, drone footage, and hikes with the elderly man alternate throughout the film.
Set against a breathtaking backdrop of pristine Norwegian nature—featuring glaciers, forests, mountainous regions, and crystal-clear mountain lakes—the director’s elderly father goes on a year-long hike, accompanied by the camera crew. He takes the viewer on a journey through the beautiful landscape and talks about the impact that walking in nature has on his inner peace. Together with his wife—with whom he has been together for 56 years—he leads a peaceful life surrounded by nature. A symbol of nature’s power is an old spruce tree planted by his grandfather, which has survived and witnessed all the events in the lives of the family and the villagers.
After the screening of the premiere film, the director and her father appear on screen for a Q&A, during which she reiterates her desire for people to spend more time in nature—for their own sake and for their inner peace, but also to appreciate the value of nature. The film is like a poem dedicated to nature, and it certainly strikes a chord. In addition to the beauty of nature, it’s also a fact that the glaciers shown in the film have shrunk by 800 meters over the past 20 years. The film has been a huge success in Norway—where it’s titled *Fatherland*—and it’s expected to be just as successful in the Netherlands.
The stunning Oldedalen Valley in Norway serves as the backdrop for the film. Stories about the family alternate with stories about changes in nature. Changes between the seasons and changes in the climate. With serene imagery—much of it captured by drone—beautiful music by the London Contemporary Orchestra, and sounds from nature, it’s a stunning nature film that’s a must-see if you love nature and hiking.
Oldedalen is one of the most beautiful areas in Norway for hikes of all difficulty levels. The blue-green Oldevatnet Lake, formed by a melting glacier, lies in the Oldedalen Valley. Each season, this valley offers a different panorama, but the stunning natural beauty and the presence of wildlife remain constant.
The valley is part of Nordfjord and is surrounded by Jostedalsbreen National Park. Here you’ll find the Briksdalsbreen, Melkevollsbreen, and Brenndalsbreen glaciers winding their way through the mountains and valleys. The area is beautiful to drive through. Lake Oldevatnet is perfect for a kayaking trip or a walk along the shore.
From Jostedalsbreen National Park, the Briksdalsbreen Glacier flows down into the Briksdalen Valley. Here, the glacier plunges 1,200 meters straight down and has been a popular attraction for visitors from all over the world for years. Unfortunately, this also means it’s busier here.
The Loen Skylift is one of the steepest gondola lifts in the world, taking you from the fjord to Mount Hoven at an elevation of 1,011 meters in just 5 minutes. From there, you’ll find many hiking trails—and in winter, downhill and cross-country ski trails—and you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of Jostedalsbreen National Park and the fjords. The lift is open year-round. Click here for more information.
Header photo credit: Thomas Sagvik / Visit Norway
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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