IFC Films unfurled Armand, the directorial feature debut of the visionary Norwegian Filmmaker Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, for a limited release on February 7, 2025, and then swiftly snaps it back out with a flick of the wrist for an expanded theatrical re-release on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.
Looking back, this inspired artistic rendition premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and won caméra d’Or for best first feature. This shimmering beacon of Psychological Drama also went on to Norway’s Selection at the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.
Impressive, Armand’s introductory clip blinks open to reveal a bird’s eye view of the picturesque landscape that snags the eyes like a piece of Velcro on a carpet. A flicker of curiosity shifts into a red-hot blaze as empty hallways loom larger than life on screen. The parade of empty rooms and corridors gives an overall sense of profound desolation and doom. The utter silence, in conjunction with the empty and dark hallways, heightened the tension of the moment. The rapid-fire snaps are pinned together like dirty linen on a rotary clothesline, flapping wildly in the breeze under public scrutiny. The drama percolates for almost two hours.
So what is the buzz surrounding Armand, and what makes it stand out from the rest? Despite the movie being subtitled in English, it loses nothing in the translation. This conceptual movie embodies the living, breathing manifestation of the unconditional love a mother has for her child. It also scrutinizes how a cadre of adults tackles an unpleasant scenario amongst young children. The wide shots of a picturesque Norwegian landscape belie the emotional intensity that the mother, Elisabeth, played by Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World 2021, A Different Man 2024), experiences driving as she is not privy as to why she must hastily appear at the school.
The camera angles throughout Armand also give one a sense of being right in the thick of things, cloaked in a mantle of invisibility. The hushed and somber tone amongst the staff members in the discussion is quite revealing and piques interest. It is duly noted that the staff of responsibility is placed squarely on the shoulders of the teacher, and we sense her unease both in her body language and demeanor. Since there is no set protocol to follow, the teacher will inevitably have to improvise as she goes along. How will she proceed in this potentially volcanic situation? Will it escalate or come to a resolution that is agreeable to all parties concerned?
This is certainly a situation that is realistically relatable to teachers and parents alike whenever children have committed reprehensible acts at school. The chronic nosebleed that plagues one of the administrators is symbolic of the aversion to dealing with the unpleasantness and intense desire to flee.
As the mother weaves through the empty hallways with a determined step, we note her heightened anxiety as she approaches the classroom. She is greeted warmly by the teacher but maintains an off-standish stance. It seems that her coat provides a protective barrier as she awaits the revelation of the misconduct that requires her immediate attention.
As one arrow of accusation after another is hurled with full force at the mom, the innate response is disbelief at the enormity of the allegations against her child. She takes on the armor of motherhood and battles for her child, Armand, exposing the eviscerating truths that have been have weighed heavily on her mind.
The accuser, who happens to be her sister-in-law, Sarah (Ellen Dorret Peterson: Borderliner series, The Innocents 2021), wears a mask of supportive concern but, once it is ripped off, is exposed as a toxic and manipulative person. The jealousy and resentment that consumed her soul are revealed to all, changing the direction of the outcome.
Entrenched in the story were a few notable symbolisms that were dramatically portrayed, such as when the mom ran out of the building with adrenaline coursing through her veins into the pouring rain. This was a tangible expression of catharsis. A letting go, a cleansing and renewal of the soul. The closeups of her face are a study of stormy turbulence frozen in an oceanic wave of emotion. The energy shifts slowly from sadness to acceptance. The dance sequence was visually engaging- a fluidity of motion. Dance has power but leaves one vulnerable and exposed.
Furthermore, Armand’s cinematic colors are muted to maintain the pervasive sense of gloomy darkness that flows like a river alongside the conflict. This makes the movie make a poignant statement on social and mental health issues.
Guaranteed there will be no dry eye in the house, with the heartwarming close-up of her fingers intertwined in Armand’s as she nestled alongside his sleeping form as the final scene comes into view. It is a feature that is riveting from start to finish because of the shocking disclosures and the plethora of raw emotions evoked during the conflict caught on film. It spotlights the baser side of humanity when dealing with hot-button issues.
Just for the dramatic visuals and thought-provoking narrative, Armand is an excellent choice to round out one’s film repertoire, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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