Headhunters is a Norwegian foreign language film about an
executive headhunter who works for multiple international financial corporations. His job gives
him access into the homes of the rich where he steals and sells valuable
paintings on the black market.
The film follows an
incredibly entertaining storyline and tells thrilling story. Fitting the brief for
Scandinavian crime classics.
The vast majority of Headhunters is in Norwegian. However, the film also includes some dialogue in English, Danish and Russian.
Headhunters also stars Aksel Hennie who
played Max Manus in the Norweigian biopic Max Manus: Man of War.
Synopsis
Headhunters’ main character is Roger. Roger is a successful financial headhunter. He lives a life of money, glamour and luxury. He works within the sleek business district of Oslo and regularly meets up with rich clients around the city.
Unknown to others (including his own wife), Roger also works
as an established art thief. He is a professional in every aspect of the word.
He is meticulous, shrewd and organized. Everything has a plan and all of his
actions have calculated reasons.
However, when a new hot-shot businessman arrives in Olso, Roger's mini world is up. The new guy quickly entrenches on his turf and starts taking away business from him. Both men share significant similarities with one another and even have similar military backgrounds.
The remainder of the film follows the two businessmen as
they go mano a mano with one another.
And that’s when things really start to get exciting.
We watch the two businessmen dive into the corporate black market world to see who the better man is.
We watch the two businessmen dive into the corporate black market world to see who the better man is.
Important Themes
Headhunters is a stylish crime-thriller film. It tells an American-esque corporate espionage story fit for the Scandinavian experience.
The film did so well in Norway that it became the highest grossing Norwegian film of all-time. Taking the number one spot
previously held by the aforementioned Max Manus.
The film shows that Scandinavian crime and thrillers are
quite more than murder mysteries. Yes, Scandinavian film is populated with some
of the best murder mysteries and film noir.
But Headhunters makes the point that Norwegian film can thrive outside of said niche.
But Headhunters makes the point that Norwegian film can thrive outside of said niche.
Moreover, the film highlights the professional structure of
companies who take part in art theft. Unbeknownst to many, the art theft
industry is one of the most lucrative criminal enterprises only behind the sell and trading of drugs and guns.
One painting alone can be worth tens of millions of dollars. Depending on the artist and time period, they could be worth even more.
One painting alone can be worth tens of millions of dollars. Depending on the artist and time period, they could be worth even more.
As a result, museums across the world have become almost
like bank vaults. They have extreme security measures and sometimes are even
able to solicit help from national military forces.
Art theft may be something many
scoff at, however many suggest that the black market is riddled with stolen
pieces of art which can at times be used as currency instead of traceable money.
In 1990, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft left the Boston museum victims of such a theft.
Over $500 million dollars worth of paintings were stolen from the museum.
This led the FBI heading an investigation into the case and offering a $5 million reward “for information that leads directly to the recovery of all of our items in good condition.”
This led the FBI heading an investigation into the case and offering a $5 million reward “for information that leads directly to the recovery of all of our items in good condition.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, Headhunters is a brilliant film. It is thrilling, entertaining and so, so cool.
The film throws you in the middle of a modern game of art theft inside the financial sector of Norway.
Headhunters offers a well-produced storyline with stunning cinematography.
It is a very modern crime film worth every second of your time.
Go ahead and add it to your watch list. Sit back, relax and
enjoy this luxurious treat of a film.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
