Director: Hans Petter Moland
Starring: Stellan Skarsgård, Brigitte Hjort Sørensen, Kristofer Hivju
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Synopsis: Nils ploughs his way through the snowy winter mountains of Norway, and is recently awarded Citizen of the Year. Celebrations soon turn sour when Nils’s son is murdered. Out for revenge his actions ignite a war between the vegan gangster the Count, and the Serbian mafia boss Papa.
IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE combines a stunning landscape, morbid humour and an intriguing story that is constantly evolving. As the title suggests the film documents the order in which characters ‘disappear’, but offers surprising twists and turns that has a fathers interest to avenge his son turn into a bloody war between Norwegian and Serbian gangsters.
The film tells the story of Nils, a snow-plough driver, who has just been named Citizen of the Year. Celebrations soon turn to grief when Nils is informed that his son has died of a drug overdose. Failing to believe his son was an addict Nils searches for answers. He soon begins his rampage targeting those responsible for his son’s unjust murder. His spree soon ignites a war between the vegan gangster the Count and the Serbian mafia boss Papa.
This story is far from black and white. After all, what film can boast about a vegan gangster, a gay romance, and a friendly kidnapper? Not to mention a wife so embittered that her husband sacrificed himself to save his brother, decides to pay her respects by spitting on his grave? The list barely scratches the surface for what this film has to offer.
The film is reminiscent of some FARGO inspired elements, at its core it is a crime drama but the seriousness is undercut with quirky wit. When it comes to identifying the body, the whole affair is rather undignified yet riddled with an uneasy humour, from the insensitive pathologist to the awkward presentation of the body. Throughout the film there is a morbid darkness with a death almost every ten minutes it’s comforting that the film can provide witty moments to somewhat lighten the mood. With added amusements in a dark tale engineered by violent escapades IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE is definitely worth a watch.
The script and acting is on point, with Stellan Skarsgård performance as Nils standing out. Skarsgård has an amazing talent for presenting a likable figure despite his gruesome rampage. The film is well put together with a relaxed visual style and a plot that constantly evolves into further creepiness and hilarity. Overall, IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE is funny, dramatic and depraved.
[usr=4] IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE opens in UK cinemas from Friday 12th September.
