TIFF '08: Bent Hamer

Award-winning Norwegian writer-director Bent Hamer returns to his native land, having recently completed his first English-language feature,Factotum, based on the novel by renowned poet and author Charles Bukowski. O'HORTEN (the “O” stands for the commonly used Norwegian first name “Odd'') is another whimsical foray into the absurd irrationalities of the mind. The film is a gently deadpan comedy that exudes a real affection for its eccentric central character; an absurd and sometimes sad comedy that meditates on loneliness and aging.

In this interview, he talks about the importance of humor, the beauty of train travel, and the freedom of shooting your own script.

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