At 69 degrees north, Lofoten is also an area with one of the most extreme natural environments on the planet. But for ages, small fishing villages and communities have insisted on surviving between the tall mountains and wild ocean. Few places are so formed by nature as Lofoten, representing a lifestyle soon forgotten – one where nature decides. In this film, we will give a unique portrait of Lofoten, through its people and their life in dialogue with nature. This is a portrait of Lofoten and its people, through a year. The film will follow the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Winter means more than just the beginning of the year for the people of Lofoten: For more than a thousand years, Lofoten has been a hub for cod fishing, with seasons lasting from February to April as huge shoals migrate from the Barents Sea to these waters. During these hectic months, more than 65,000 tons of fish are brought to shore, securing the income for the whole of Lofoten for years to come. Around a quarter of the fish caught ends up on lines to dry upon racks. From a young age, the children from the fishing villages get to earn some pocket money by cutting cod tongues and selling the produce as a delicacy appreciated by the locals.
After fish, tourism is the second most important source of income. As the fishing boats have become more modern, the cabins have been converted to housing for guests and tourists from all over the world. One of the largest accomodations consisting of these fishmen cabins is Svinøya in Svolvær, run by Ola. Ola has lived his entire life in Lofoten and has made it his life’s mission to restore his resort in traditional ways.
After a long winter, spring is finally arriving and the fishermen return from sea. The snow in the mountains has started to melt and the running water and the warm sun is once again making the fields and hills of Lofoten green and fertile. One of the farmers heading into a busy period is Ragnhild, she owns a small sheep farm outside the village of Stamsund and has to get her sheep up in the mountains for the summer grazing months.
The season has also started for the locals of Henningsvær, who make a living from tourism. Springtime means that it's time for spectacular nature adventures and one host Ragnar can finally take his guests out to show them something quite special: the Sea Eagle. It is the largest bird of prey in northern Europe, the wingspan is up to 2.4 meters and cat get decades old, and couples mate for life.
