Friday, June 2, Setubal---The 22nd edition of the TROIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Portugal's oldest and most prestigious film event, had a gala Opening this evening in the beautiful coastal town of Setubal.

The Opening Night festivities began with the screening of a rare silent film by director Victor Sjostrom. TERGE VIGEN, produced in 1917, is a film of rare beauty and quality from one of Scandanavia's earliest film giants. The film has been restored by the Norwegian Film Institute, with a new musical score conducted by well known Norwegian composer Kati Bjornstad, who has composed musical scores for such filmmakers as Jean-Luc Godard and Lea Pool.

The film was an appropriate start to what will be a 10 day long Tribute To Norwegian Cinema, with the Festival presenting a dozen films from newly emerging Norwegian talents. The Festival is working with the Norwegian Film Institute to highlight a new generation of Norwegian filmmakers who are creating an impression at film festivals around the world.

The current "star" of the new Norwegian cinema is Bent Hamer, whose film KITCHEN STORIES was a major sensation in 2003 at the Cannes Film Festival and which won him Best Director honors at the Copenhagen International Film Festival, as well as the Best Film prize in the Amanda Awards (the Norwegian Oscar).

Hamer is back with his first English-language film FACTOTUM, which premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and has since played to great acclaim at major festivals in North America, South America and Europe.

The film, based on a novel by bohemian writer Charles Bukowski, stars Matt Dillon as Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of author Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles,in a boozy binge that includes women, drinking and gambling.

The film, which also stars Lili Taylor, Fisher Stevens and Marisa Tomei, will have its North American release via IFC Films in August, and a subsequent international release in the Fall.

An after-party was attended by director Bent Hamer, producer Jim Stark, Festroia President Mario Henriques, Festroia Festival Director Fernanda Silva, representatives of the Norwegian Film Institute members of the International Jury, as well as visiting filmmakers and film critics. A great start to an exciting 10 days of international cinema.....

Sandy Mandelberger
International Media Resources