JOURNEY TO UTOPIA

Synopsis:

The enlightened, forward-thinking mo family lead a picture-perfect life on their farm in norway. But recently, climate anxiety and a fear for what kind of planet will be left to their three children is keeping them up at night. Taking a giant leap of faith, the family decides to take action and move to ‘permatopia’: a brand new self-sufficient, organic farming cooperative in denmark. But will green community living really be a sustainable solution for a family of five headstrong individualists, each with their own very different expectations and dreams? A heartwarming and brutally honest film about one family’s attempt to make a real difference under the shadow of climate change.

About the director:

Erling E. Mo. Born 1967, Norway. Studied literature and Scandinavian languages at Oslo University 1986-90, and film and TV at Volda University College 1990-92. Has produced and directed for NRK’s Children and Youth Department and DR’s Children and Youth Department. Wrote and directed the fictional documentary ‘Forbidden Love’ (1998), awarded the Terje Vigen prize at the Norwegian Short Film Festival, nominated for the Dutch Prix Iris and participant at several other international festivals. ‘Welcome to Denmark’ (2003) was awarded Best Documentary at Odense, and was the only Nordic film represented at the EuropaCinema 2003 in Viareggio. ‘Can You Die in Heaven?’ (2005) was awarded the Youth Jury’s Best Documentary at Odense Film Festival, Best Children’s Doc at Pärnu, Estonia, and won a GuldDok for Best Documentary at CPH:DOX. ‘My Eyes’ (2006) won the IDFA Silver Cub Award, a GuldDok for Best Sound at CPH:DOX, Best Short Film at Sao Paolo and the Cinematic Vision Short Award at the SilverDocs AFI (Discovery Documentary Festival). ‘Paradis’ (2008) is a feature-length documentary co-directed with Sami Saif and Jens Loftager. The film premiered at Odense Film Festival. ‘Four Letters Apart - Children in the Age of ADHD’ (2013) was selected for CPH:DOX, Göteborg Film Festival and Hot Docs in Canada. ‘Journey to Utopia’ (2020) was selected for the nordic competition at CPH:DOX.