The Smell Of Human

Marita (12) looks up to her best friend, Lara.
When a socially disadvantaged girl next door finds a baby bird, Lara decides to take it from her.

  • Johanne Helgeland
    Director
    "The Crossing" (feature Film, 2020) Among several national and international awards, "The Crossing" was awarded with the "Young Audience Award" EFA 2021 and the Norwegian "Amanda" for best Children's film (2020) among several international awards the same year.
  • Johanne Helgeland
    Writer
    "The Crossing" (feature film 2020) Among several national and international awards, "The Crossing" won EFAs Young Audience Award (2021) and The Norwegian "Amanda" for best Children's film (2020)
  • Anders Søndersrød
    Producer
  • Axel Helgeland
    Producer
    "I am Dina", "Two Lives" "What Will People Say", "War sailor"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Lukten av menneske
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 14, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    27,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Norway
  • Country of Filming:
    Norway
  • Language:
    Norwegian
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Johanne Helgeland

Johanne Helgeland (born 1973) is a Norwegian director. She was educated at The Norwegian Film School. Johanne is an experienced commercial film director and has directed shorts, music videos and tv-series for both children and grown-ups. In 2020 she made her feature film debut with the «The Crossing» (Maipo Film) which among several national and international awards, won the prestigious European Film Academy´s Young Audience Award in 2021.

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Director Statement

With “The Smell Of Human” I want to describe a feeling and an atmosphere as I remember it from being 12 years old: The restlessness as summer moved slowly on, a sense that something was about to end and never be the same again.
"The Smell Of Human" touches upon themes like friendship, identity, estrangement, vulnerability and social belonging.