Axel Lund Svendal – Svendal:

OSLO (Dagbladet): Aksel Lund Svindal is one of the most winning athletes in Norwegian history. The iconic alpine climber held the top of the world for a number of years, before resigning in 2019 as one of the top athletes.

This fall, the documentary “Axel” will be shown in Norwegian cinemas. It provides unique insight into Svindal’s life in recent years – inside and outside the sports arena.

The film is directed by Even Sigstad and Filip Christensen, and will be shown in Norwegian cinemas from October 15.

The film deals with the last years of Axel Lund Svendal’s career. Then there are things that we discover along the way with the Svendal family who have a very strong spirit. The story is with his brother Simin who tried his hand at a mountaineer, and his father Bjorn who was always there, director Christensen tells Dagbladet.

In the film you will also see clips from Svendal’s childhood.

– We found a lot of clips and materials that have not been shown before with the help of the family. Christensen says contemporary history begins when he falls in Kitzbühel and Christensen says the road to it is halted, aiming for the downfall that threatens Svendel’s career at Kitzbühel in 2016.

so decisive

In 2013 and 2016 came the documentary “Supervision”, which was about modern skiing and snowboarding. Among other things, they had a meeting with Svindal and Terje Håkonsen. Like “Axel,” Christensen and Sigstad directed the films.

The main character himself tells Dagbladet that the relationship with Christensen was decisive for the emergence of “Aksel” in life.

– I knew Philip well from previous projects, which of course was something completely different. It started after the last surveillance movie was over, and then we kept shooting. Along the way, there was actually another person, typically a larger production company, who asked if we could make a documentary. But then I thought we were already working on a documentary, and it was a long time ago, says Svendal and continues:

– Of course I said no to that. We filmed a lot that was not included in previous documentaries, as well as the fact that you should trust those you “let” in. Then a lot happened in those years, up and down, says the former alpine climber for Dagbladet.

Both Svindal and Christensen say they were aiming for a launch a little earlier, but due to a lot of material and a lot of work with the work done, it was postponed.

– If you have very good material, you should be more pessimistic about what you are going to use. It’s clear, Svendal says, that if you’re going to bring a little bit of everything, it won’t be particularly good.

never appeared

At the same time that the cameras followed the sports profile of Aksel Lund Svindal, they also gained unique insight into who is outside the sports arena.

Did you finally forget that the cameras are hanging behind you?

– In some places it does. When there are ups and downs or other things, you don’t notice much. But you’ve obviously noticed that you’re wearing the camera in everyday situations, says the 38-year-old.

What do you wish people would stay after watching the movie?

– It was exciting, and at the same time a little dangerous. I hope first and foremost that people feel entertained, then. I think that is the total of what will happen. Everything from the big stuff on the ski slope, to super privacy. I think a lot of people will feel the shifts there, he says and continues:

I think many who think this is old news will see it from a slightly different angle. You get other photos that have not been viewed before.

– very wonderful

As mentioned, the last few years of filming gave Christensen a chance to get to know the Olympic winner well. I appreciated it greatly.

– He’s a very interested person. He thinks about everyone around him all the time, and it’s pretty cool to think about how much he has to think about. I don’t have a bad word to say about him, though I’ve seen him in all kinds of situations where he boils.