Erik Poppe delves into the complex mind of an autocratic leader in a talkative yet cinematic drama about the post-World War II period that is particularly relevant today.
Both a bold historical drama and a haunting psychological study of a delusional authoritarian, “Quisling—The Final Days” may be the strongest work yet from veteran Norwegian director Erik Poppe (“1,000 Times Good Night”). It serves as a bookend to “The King’s Choice,” his 2016 hit, which chronicled the first three days of the German invasion of Norway in 1940. Set five years later, “Quisling” looks back at the occupation and its aftermath through the story of Vidkun Quisling (Gard B. Eidsvold), the wartime government’s puppet leader who collaborated with the Nazis and whose last name is now synonymous with the word traitor.
In a fresh and provocative approach to the eponymous subject, Poppe and his screenwriters view it through the lens of Quisling’s prison encounters with Pastor Peder Olsen (Anders Danielsen Lie, “The Worst Person in the World”), whose mission from the Bishop of Oslo is to guide Quisling to repentance and absolution. Their conversations, recorded in Olsen’s previously unknown diary from the time, inform the script. With its frighteningly topical look at the complicated mind of an autocratic leader, tour de force performances from its two leads, striking cinematography, and remarkable period production design, this is an immersive film experience that should appeal to international arthouse distributors.
On May 8, 1945, as Norway celebrates the end of five years of German occupation, former Prime Minister Quisling is arrested and taken into custody. His hopes of house arrest are a pipe dream. The country is in the mood for revenge and wants Quisling to be held accountable for his actions and the atrocities he committed in the name of Nazi ideology. Perhaps no one wants this more than young prison guard Arvid (Arthur Hakalathi), whose brother was one of the Norwegian patriots killed during Quisling's regime and who makes the ex-politician's incarceration as unpleasant as possible.
