by Tatiana P. 

 

I recently watched the film Fjord, (Romania, France and Norway production) that won the 2026 Golden Palm at Cannes Festival.

A family, with 5 children from infant to puberty, migrates to a small Norwegian town, from Romania, where they lived for many years. 

The mother is Norwegian and the father Romanian. 

The children's native language is Romanian and they speak only a little bit of Norwegian.

They attend school and are being embraced by their new teachers and classmates with warmth and an open minded attitude, while their Norwegian is getting better day by day.

They make new friends and especially the teenage daughter is getting very close with a local girl her age.

So everything seems to be normal and the family enjoys the new environment.

But this family has a very special characteristic. They are religious people. Christians that go to church at least on Sundays, pray every day, teach their children to read the bible, especially when they want to punish them for something, children have to stay home and read a specific part of the bible. 

Youtube and dancing are not permitted, except when they go to a party - which, fortunately is not prohibited- if they are not punished. 

Maybe this family has 5 children because it is 'God's will' for them...

However they love each other very much. The parents are gentle and calm and the children show deep respect for them.

Until one day an incident of possible child abuse by the parents occurs, changing how the community views the family.

Suspicion escalates rapidly and people from social welfare almost condemn the parents with no exact proof. 

The cultural difference between the family's conservatism and Norwegian progressivism, rises to the surface and we wonder if these people are judged for their actions, or for their beliefs.

While such beliefs can lead to social isolation, should people be free to follow them as long as they harm no one?

Norwegian culture, as we know, is very open minded and protective towards people in need (abused women and children, disabled persons) and of course very inclusive.

Towards everyone? Do Romanian religious people have the same benefit of the doubt, as citizens of other developed countries?

The dialogues are built up step by step, with carefully chosen words that can lead to opposing views.

Especially in the scenes of the trial, this nuanced approach reminds us that human nature and moral perspectives are far too complex, to be strictly defined.  

The movie leaves us with many thoughts for discussion about the definition of violence, love, justice and other related topics that all societies should keep high on their agendas.