I Am Dina

 (2002)

by Tuna

In remote northern Norway during the 1860s, a young girl named Dina causes an accident that results in the painful death of her mother. Her father backhands her as her mother is being carried off screaming. A neighbor hides her. She grows up feral until it is clear she needs help, so a teacher is hired. He plays his cello, and she is fascinated. He teaches her, and she has an aptitude. They also become close friends. He tells her that she released her mother from the pain and suffering in this world, and she buys into that idea. Then her father decides to send the teacher away, and to marry her off to a fat businessman (Gerard Depardieu).

On her wedding night, Depardieu tries to "mount her like a horse," and she rebels, finally making him promise in front of all the neighbors never to do that again. Yet as time goes on, she nearly rapes him. In fact, he starts trying to escape her voracious sexual appetite. She also proves to be a better at running his business than he is. When he falls off a roof and breaks his leg, and then gangrene sets in, she heads off to a hospital with him, but pushes him over a cliff.

Enter a Russian fellow that she spends the rest of the film with.

This two hour costumer, performed by an international cast in English, is the most expensive film ever to be made in Scandinavia, and will appeal to those inclined to enjoy period drama. Dina is a complex, severely conflicted character, but still generally sympathetic, and is played brilliantly by Maria Bonnevie.

.

Our Grade:

If you are not familiar with our grading system, you need to read the explanation, because the grading is not linear. For example, by our definition, a C is solid and a C+ is a VERY good movie. There are very few Bs and As. Based on our descriptive system, this film is a:

C

Well worth the watch.

NUDITY REPORT

  • Maria Bonnevie does full frontal and rear nudity.

 

 

THE CRITICS AND ACADEMIES

  Variety

 

 

 

THE BOX OFFICE

It grossed about $10 million in Norway and Denmark.

525,000 people saw it in Norway - equivalent to mega-blockbuster status in a country with only 4.6 million people. The proportionate equivalent would be about $35 million tickets in the USA. or about $300 million!

The budget was approximately $20 million.

 

THE PEOPLE

   
6.4 IMDB summary (of 10)
   
I Am Dina (2002) It is available from RLDVDs.com in a Region 2 PAL, in English with optional Scandinavian subtitles. Click on the image to the left for information.