Netflix has announced Blasted, a science fiction comedy based on the Hessdalen lights phenomenon in Norway’s Hessdalen Valley. From the 1930s to the present, odd lights have been seen there. Some scientists think they’re piezoelectricity, generated by minerals in the valley. Some people think they’re UFOs.
The Plot
For the purpose of this movie, Netflix and Norwegian producers Miso Film are going with the UFO theory. Two friends discover the UFOs are real and part of an alien invasion.
“Blasted follows childhood friends Sebastian (Axel Bøyum) and Mikkel (Fredrik Skogsrud), who are reunited for Sebastian’s bachelor party. While Mikkel never matured past teenage laser tag-prodigy, Sebastian has grown into a career-obsessed workaholic who’s using the party to schmooze a potential client. But when the bachelor party stumbles head-first into an alien invasion, it’s up to Mikkel and Sebastian to reunite as the kick-ass lasertag duo they once were and fight back.”
My first thought on reading the description was Geez Louise, we’re in trouble. I hope our new galactic overlords are kind. My second thought was this sounds fun … and funny. what do you think?
Cast and Crew
A Norwegian production, most of the cast and crew will be unfamiliar to US audiences.
“Blasted stars Axel Bøyum and Fredrik Skogsrud in the leading roles as Sebastian and Mikkel. Joining Axel and Fredrik are: Mathias Luppichini (Audun), André Sørum (Kasper), Eirik Hallert (Pelle), Evelyn Rasmussen Osazuwa (Stine) and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (Hjørdis).”
Bøyum is an awarding winning Norwegian actor, noted for his TV work in Eyewitness, Heimebane, and Black Widows, and performing as Romeo on stage. Skogsrud worked with Bøyum before in Eyewitness and starred in The Legend of the Ghost Dagger. Ingrid Bolsø Berdalmight be more familiar to US audiences. She was Atalanta in the Dwayne Johnson Hercules and a horned witch in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Nigerian-Norwegian actress Evelyn Rasmussen Osazuwa was the doctor in Ninjababy.
Martin Sofiedal, the writer/director of The Legend of the Ghost Dagger, is directing Blasted. The scriptwriter is Emanuel Nordum. He co-wrote De Gales Dans and wrote the horror short Love Hotel.
If you have Netflix, will you watch Blasted? Will this be the movie that blasts Axel Bøyum into international stardom?
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
