In northern Norway, two conservative, Christian parents (Romanian Mihai (Sebastian Stan) and Norwegian Lisbet (Renate Reinsve)) are suspected of beating their children, and clash with the authorities.

Based on a real-life case, this drama walks a fine line as it tries to make us understand how a conflict like this can happen. We sympathize with the family but also see how cult-like groups take advantage of their situation; we also believe in a society that cares for the children, but see how rigid the system can be.

A first-rate cast and awe-inspiring mountainous locations in a long, slow but thought-provoking film.

2026-Romania-Norway-France-Denmark-Sweden-Finland. 146 min. Color. Widescreen. Written and directed by Cristian Mungiu. Cinematography: Tudor Vladimir Panduru. Cast: Sebastian Stan (Mihai Gheorghiu), Renate Reinsve (Lisbet Gheorghiu), Lisa Carlehed (Mia Halberg), Henrikke Lund-Olsen, Vanessa Ceban, Jonathan Ciprian Breazu, Lisa Loven Kongsli. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Mungiu.

Cannes: Palme d’Or.

Last word: “I talked to everybody that agreed to talk to me: parents and relatives involved in such cases, lawyers, judges, representatives of the Child Welfare Services, social workers, journalists. I attended cases on this matter in the Norwegian courts. In the end, Fjord aims to be a story that encourages us to ponder about tolerance, authority, conformism, and the limits of personal freedom and intimacy.” (Mungiu, Nordisk Film & TV Fond)