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. 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 life and is a witty and sincere individual, leading to conversations and cordial friendships in the village. 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.