Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s new documentary follows a group of teenagers learning life lessons at a traditional Norwegian folk high school.
Hege and Odin in FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release.
Photo credit: Lars Erlend Tubaas Øymo. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
‘Folktales’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
Opening in theaters in New York on July 25th before releasing in Los Angeles and additional cities on August 1st, Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing’s ‘Folktales’ offers a fascinating, emotional look at a very untraditional –– yet historic high school in Norway.
With life lessons including survival in arctic conditions and the care and training of sled dogs, it’s a different education, but clearly a valuable one.
Related Article: ‘Folktales’ Exclusive ClipInitial Thoughts
Romain and Mjød in FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: Tori Edvin Eliassen. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Documentaries focused on the teen experience often fall into the category of stresses, strains and bad behavior, with some redemption to be found.
And while tempers can run high here, ‘Folktales’ instead chooses to focus on the educational, spiritual and moral advantages of the Pasvik Folk High School in Norway, where youngsters are given training in survival, teamwork and self-esteem.
Script and Direction
Heidi Ewing, co-director of FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: Mei Tao. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady have previously been behind the likes of ‘Jesus Camp’, ‘Endangered’ and ‘The Boys of Baraka’ and they certainly bring all their experience to bear here.
While ‘Folktales’ sometimes feels like it will slip from dreamlike into out-and-out sleepy, the gentle tone and unhurried narrative wins you over.
Cast and Performances
Bjørn Tore and Tigergutt in FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: Tori Edvin Eliassen. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
The various teenagers that the directors choose to focus on are well selected; the likes of young Hege, dealing with grief and body issues, figures out her destiny among the sled dogs who form a crucible part of the syllabus.
Romain, meanwhile, discovers the confidence he needs after previously quitting the course because of the pressures of the wilderness and his own emotional issues.
If there’s one issue to be raised it’s that trying to blend the story of the teens with that of the dogs sometimes sees competition rise –– you occasionally find yourself wishing the filmmakers would cut back to the animals rather than the whiny kids.
And we’d have to offer a trigger warning because the film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of dealing with working animals.
Final Thoughts
A scene from FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo credit: Tori Edvin Eliassen. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
‘Folktales’ is a confident, uplifting and interesting look into a world many people outside Norway may never have heard about. For that reason, it’s more than worth tracking down –– even if you have to take a sled to your nearest theater.
Not Yet Rated1 hr 46 min
Jul 25th, 2025
Showtimes & Tickets
On the precipice of adulthood, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway. Dropped at the edge of the world, they must rely on only themselves,… Read the Plot
What’s the story of ‘Folktales’?On the precipice of adulthood, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway. Dropped at the edge of the world, they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions.
Theatrical one-sheet for FOLKTALES, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Other Movies featuring dogs:’Breaking Away’ (1979)’Stand by Me’ (1986)‘Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey’ (1993)’Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco’ (1996)’The 40 Year Old Virgin’ (2005)’Superbad’ (2007)’Marley & Me’ (2008)’The Hangover’ (2009)’Bridesmaids’ (2011)’A Dog’s Purpose’ (2017)’A Dog’s Journey’ (2019)’Good Boys’ (2019)‘Dog’ (2022)Buy Tickets: ‘Folktales’ Movie ShowtimesBuy Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady Movies on Amazon
