Being Ola

Directed By Ragnhild Nøst Bergem
Starring Ola

30-year-old Ola lives in the small Norwegian village of Vidaråsen, where the 150 residents are a mix of people with and without disabilities. In the village the residents aim to live life at a slower pace and in harmony with nature. Their community is founded on empathy, respect, and mutual interdependence.

Ola, who has a mild learning disability, spends his days working in the workshop, pulling carrots from the ground and chatting for hours with his best friend, Lasse. He generally enjoys his life and is a witty and sincere individual who talks openly and honestly about his condition. Conversations and cordial friendships in the village are a highlight of Ola’s daily life, but in the background, there’s always the threat of Lasse moving back to Denmark…

Beloved by Norwegian audiences, Ragnhild Nøst Bergem’s life-affirming documentary is an honest and heartwarming portrait of a thoughtful and gracious man. Through Ola and his reflections, it tells a universal story of inclusion, diversity, independence and the importance of being exactly who you are.

Released in partnership with Oska Bright Film Festival, the world’s leading festival for films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities or autism.