The Badgers

A spirited orphan boy revolts against his hyper-woke foster mother to realize his dream of becoming a skilled Scout, like his deceased father.

  • Paul Magnus Lundø
    Director
    The Veil of Twilight ("Skumringslandet), Mengaloth
  • Paul Magnus Lundø
    Writer
    The Veil of Twilight ("Skumringslandet), Mengaloth
  • David Lee Leader
    Producer
    Home for Christmas, Norsemen, Quality Time
  • Nils Elias Lea Olsen
    Key Cast
    "BERNT"
    The Burning Sea
  • Caroline Johansen
    Key Cast
    "GERD"
    Side om side, Nissene i bingen
  • Øystein Martinsen
    Key Cast
    "GUNNAR"
    Norsemen, The Tunnel
  • Kristoffer Joner
    Key Cast
    "WILLAS"
    Mission: Impossible - Fallout, The Revenant
  • Krisroffer Abrahamsen
    Key Cast
    "LARS"
  • Isak O´Brien
    Key Cast
    "STIG"
  • Justine Osafo
    Key Cast
    "JAMILA"
  • Jakob Mydland
    Key Cast
    "ANTON"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Grevlingene
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Family, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Feelgood
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 1 minute
  • Completion Date:
    February 7, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    20,700,000 NOK
  • Country of Origin:
    Norway
  • Country of Filming:
    Norway
  • Language:
    Norwegian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:2,35/1:2:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • European Works in Progress 2024
    Cologne
    Germany
    Ushueru award
Distribution Information
  • Norsk Filmdistribusjon
    Distributor
    Country: Norway
Director Biography - Paul Magnus Lundø

Inspired by his childhood Scouting days, The Badgers will be Paul’s third feature film. His previous film, the medieval thriller, The Veil of Twilight (2014), featured Kim Bodnia, Ewen Brenner, and Jørgen Langhelle. In addition to developing screenplays for several production houses, Paul honed his visual skills as a scenographer and props master on numerous high production-value projects, including Erik Sjodberg’s Pyromanen, the Captain Sabertooth franchise, and NRK’s Christmas in Svingen Village. Paul’s feature debut was Mengaloth (2005), a fantasy movie he filmed on a shoestring budget while studying at NISS Film & TV Academy.

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Director Statement

Inspired by my childhood in small-town-Norway, The Badgers is a mischievous, heart-warming adventure-comedy. I set out to make a movie that entertains, inspires, and leaves a mark on families, like the films that had shaped my childhood: “unsafe” stories with untamed film language, that dare to have some fun with our contemporary culture.
The Badgers is a cinematic experience with exciting locations, crazy escapades, and witty social satire rooted in quirky, small-town characters who dislike anyone rocking the boat. In a playful tone, we take a child’s journey to discover identity and belonging, while stubborn traditionalists and progressives clash for control in the background.
Through a 3-acts, we follow young, orphan, Bernie, as he: pursues his dream to become a Scout like his deceased father; attempts shortcuts through lies and cheating; redeems himself; sacrifices his own goals for the good of others, while learning integrity.
The Badgers speaks to a child’s need for role models. As an orphan, Bernie’s identity lies in ruins; he yearns for belongingness. He dream of becoming a Scout springs from his need to belong, and romantic memories of his deceased father.
The film asks: what does it mean to stand for what you believe; what is the price to pursue your dreams, and what good are they or if they exist only to gratify oneself? Through a humorous tone, we also explore the timeless battle between society's opposing ideas. Can traditional values co-exist with tomorrow’s ideals?