Nordisk Panorama 2021: Interview of Director Frigge Fri | Dark Blossom (New Nordic Voice Documentary)

Director Frigge Fri told us about the making of Dark Blossom, an outstanding Danish documentary on three young outsider Goths, presented at the 32nd Nordisk Panorama Film Festival.

The 32nd Nordisk Panorama Film Festival, taking place in Malmö, Sweden, from September 16th to 21st 2021, has become a hotspot for the best Nordic documentaries and short films, where we had the pleasure of discovering, as part of the Best Nordic Documentary Competition, Dark Blossom, a creative and playful documentary directed by Frigge Fri, which follows Josephine, a 20-year-old with colorful wigs, a large heavy nose ring and who collects bones from road-kills, alongside her close friends Nightmare and Jay, whom she found in goth culture. But one day Josephine falls in love with the beautiful Jan and as her black-beating heart starts to beat for something other than darkness, their precious friendship is threatened.

We were delighted to interview director Frigge Fri following the screening of Dark Blossom at Malmö’s Cinema Panora, for a chat about the her vision of “alternativeness”, the filmmaking process of a documentary shot over several years, and her creative vision for this entertaining and profound film full of ideas, which previously screened at CPH:DOX and Hotdocs earlier this year.

Film Fest Report: Hi Frigge! What makes you interested in “alternativeness”? And which message did you intended to convey about it in the film?

Frigge Fri: In general, I am really fascinated by people who use their look and appearance to communicate and express themselves. It doesn’t have to be in an alternative way, but in this case, it is pretty obvious that it is outside the norms. I am so taken by their dramatic, dark, and beautiful way of using the gothic elements to show both strength and fragility.

Deep inside me, it has always been a big goal to challenge our assumptions, perceptions, and stereotypes, reminding us that there are complex humans behind, who just want the same things as you and I, and are merely expressing themselves in a way that feels true to them.

In Dark Blossom, you chronicle the story of a teenager entering adulthood, along with some of her close friends, while dealing with very personal and intimate matters. As a filmmaker, how did you manage to create such a safe space, and trust between you, the camera, and them? 

Time and sincere understanding must be the core of a safe and confident space for making an intimate filming environment. I am very grateful and honored of how open-minded and confident Josephine, Nightmare and Jay have been around me and the camera. They have always allowed me to be curious and invited me into their beautiful universe. I became a part of the dark trio, and I will say – you can not wish for anything better!

What impresses in Dark Blossom is how creative and playful the film is. Tell us about the different types of footage you have used in the film, especially the footage filmed by the characters themselves? Moreover, do you think the film mirrors the creativity and eccentricity of its subjects?

When you have a safe space then you have an amazing playground for experiments and expressions! I have always thought of the three subjects as chameleons in a way. They have a stunning ability to change shape, looks, and appearance. And it was clear to me, that the film also needed to have some of the same energy and forms of expression. The film is very much about finding yourself through a lot of self-staging, so it was given that the film somehow should use the subject’s recordings. The film works with plenty of layers, and I love the way it blends more traditional documentary scenes with shitty handycam recordings, webcam live streams, Instagram posts, powerful portraits in different everyday situations and so much more. Thanks to my amazing editor Esben Bay Grundsøe, it has not become a big mess, but a mirror of their creativity and eccentricity but also their longing.

The film is shot over a few years, while a lot happens in the lives of the characters. Yet, the story is told with a remarkable fluidity. How did you tackle the editing process?

Oh, again I need to thank my editor Esben Bay Grundsøe. He manages to stay curious and playful through an unmanageable amount of footage and gave the film this very unique sense of fluidity and humor.

Throughout the whole process, my biggest intention has been to make a tribute to the strong and then again vulnerable outsider, who through creativity and amazing fantasy use their inner darkness and emotions to express themselves.

In Dark Blossom, your love for your characters is very palpable. How have they inspired you on a personal note?

Wow, it has been so inspiring and expanding to meet Josephine, Nightmare, and Jay. They are in different ways so intelligent and creative with their expression and creations! Watching their way of putting make-up, talking about the literature they are writing, the music they are making, their decor in their houses, their unstoppable ideas for hair-styling, and their fascination for the occult, bones, and dead animals have for me as a very visually storyteller been so inspiring.

Finally, can you tell us your definition of what a documentary is? And why are you exploring this genre?

For me, there is not a definition of documentary. The take of it can be in so many ways, which is one of the things I like the most. I really enjoy making documentaries because I love the unexpected, the fails, and the surprises. I am particularly concerned with creating films that dare to go close to the offbeat and unusual that surrounds us and work thus frequently pushes boundaries of normativity. I love how a story pulls me into corners of the world I never would have been.

Acknowledgements: Frigge Fri, Nordisk Panorama.