Search - John Kaada :: O'Horten: Music from the Motion Picture

With the tragicomedy OHorten, Norwegian writer-director Bent Hamer (Factotum, Kitchen Stories) returns to his domestic landscapes, off-beat humanism and stylistic quirks of earlier works. The bittersweet, episodic tale of an ultra-dedicated locomotive engineer uneasily transitioning into retirement provides warm and gently humorous entertainment. At the age of 67, loner (but not lonely) Odd Horten (Bard Owe) is forced to step down from his engine-driving job. An encounter with Trygve Sissener (Espen Skjonberg), an elderly gent with a cheerful its never too late philosophy, inspires Horten to finally take off his uniform and open himself to things he never previously tried. Reviewers praise John Kaadas music across the board. Variety calls it outstanding. His score focuses on calm melodies played on exotic instruments, many of which he built himself. Kaada is himself an accomplished classical musician, touring with various chamber orchestras and performing at festivals.