In the myths, the kraken is depicted as an island with arms and masts, or as a huge fish – or as a giant octopus. Common to all the stories is that it is an extremely scary monster, especially dangerous for all seafarers. Now the myths about the kraken are about to become a new Norwegian film, filming is underway in Aurland in Sogn – with the long Sognefjord as the set and backdrop. They have also recorded scenes at Matre in Nordhordland. The film “Kraken” has a budget of NOK 58 million. Sara Khorami in the role of Johanne. Photo: press photo / Nordisk Film – Struggle against nature Sara Khorami and Mikkel Bratt Silset have been given the lead roles in the monster film, which premieres in autumn 2025. – It’s a kind of childhood dream coming true. This will be both “creepy” and magical, says Khorami to news. She plays the marine biologist Johanne Berge, who is sent to a fictional city to investigate strange natural phenomena. At a breeding facility, scary things happen down in the dark fjord. – It is a kind of battle against nature that we are doomed to lose, says Khorami. Because at the bottom of the fjord something is hiding that can put both people and nature at risk. Khorami promises that there will be intense tension. – It is very fun to be involved in this, she assures. Bishop Erik Pontoppidan (1698 – 1764) was bishop in Bergen. Photo: Ukjent / SNL.no Portraying monsters under the sea It was the Danish Bishop of Bergen, Erik Pontoppidan, who first used the word kraken in written form. In 1752 he published the book “Forsøg paa Norway’s natural history”. There he describes that the kraken looks like an island with arms and masts. He claimed that there were both crabs, sea snakes and other monsters – exclusively based on stories that have been passed down from coastal people to coastal people. – All people around the world who have lived near the sea and depended on the sea have had fantasies about sea monsters, says Ida Tolgensbakken to news. Erik Pontoppidan saw his way among other sea snakes in Norwegian waters. Photo: From the book of Erik Pontoppidan, 1752 She works as first conservator at the Norwegian Folk Museum and is a folklorist by profession. Tolgensbakken rejoices that there is now a film about what is actually based on the myths of a Norwegian and Nordic sea monster. – I really support it, she says. In international popular culture, the kraken has constantly been used as an example of some of the scariest things that exist under water. Among other things in computer games, film and poetry. Ida Tolgensbakken is the first conservator at the Norwegian Folk Museum. Photo: Norsk Folkemuseum – Many cool monsters Tolgensbakken says that many people have probably thought of the kraken as a monster from Greek mythology. But there is no doubt that the kraken is Norwegian, at least Nordic. – The Kraken swallows the boat with man and mouse and it is the personification of the ultimate horror when you are out at sea. She feels that there is a great deal of untapped potential in Norwegian and Nordic folk tradition. – We have a lot of cool monsters that we could make a lot more of! For shoe player Sara Khorami, the recording they are now doing is a great experience anyway. – I stand looking out over the fjord just now, I get goosebumps from how beautiful it is, says the shoe player. Kraken Photo: Wiki Commons The Kraken, or krakjen, also referred to in the indefinite form krake, is a mythical animal from Norwegian folklore in the form of a huge sea monster or a gigantic fish that fishermen are said to have seen along the coast of Norway, Iceland and Ireland. Reports of giant fish can be found in many cultures far back in time. The Norse writing Kongespeilet from the 13th century mentions such a monster as Hafgufa. There are also tales of huge sea monsters in Asian waters and in the Mediterranean and Atlantic until ancient times. The monster that is called the kraken was nevertheless first described in more detail by the Bishop of Bergen, Erik Pontoppidan, in the middle of the 18th century. He compares it to an island with arms and masts. Others have equated it with dragons, linen worms and sea snakes. Still others, especially in the 19th century, have interpreted the kraken as a giant octopus, and the English-speaking world uses the Norwegian name as a proper name for such a monster. This has been reinforced in modern, Anglo-American popular culture. There are thus different traditions that get mixed up, including performances about other sea monsters. The consistent feature of the kraken is nevertheless its size, whether it is a fish, cuttlefish, turtle or squid. Published 16.09.2024, at 22.06
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Norwegian sea monster will scare the wits of the public – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
