A One Mann’s Movies review of “Camping in Paradise” (2025, 4*, ’15’).
I tend not to do reviews for short films outside of the shortlisted ones for the Academy Awards and sometimes the BAFTAs. I also don’t tend to fit in many short films in general into my busy viewing schedule. But I made an exception for “Camping in Paradise”, sent to me as a ‘for your consideration’ screener, because of the director Eirik Tveiten. His previous film – “Night Ride” (“Nattrikken”) – was my pick for the 2023 Live Action Short Oscar. I gave it a full 5 stars. Loved it.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Pernille (Oddrun Valestrand) and Christian (Espen Alknes) are driving through the Norwegian countryside on their way to a spa hotel to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. Penille is feeling frisky and attempts to engage in some mobile sexual activity, causing Christian to crash the car into a field. With damage to the suspension, a local, Viggo (Stig Henrik Hoff), tows them to the summer resort that he attends regularly with his wife Jenny (Mona Grenne). But it is a nudist resort and the uptight Christian struggles to relax.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This film has not been reviewed by the BBFC. Given the copious amounts of full-frontal nudity, this will inevitably receive a ’15’ certification.)
Talent:
Starring: Oddrun Valestrand, Espen Alknes, Stig Henrik Hoff, Mona Grenne.
Directed by: Eirik Tveiten.
Written by: Eirik Tveiten.
Running Time: 24m.
Review of “Camping in Paradise”:
A fun comic film, with well-developed characters.
This is another cute and well-made short film by Eirik Tveiten. Our two protagonists – Pernille (Oddrun Valestrand) and Christian (Espen Alknes) – are well defined, with Pernille the more free-spirited and sexually adventurous one and Christian (as his name suggests) being the more uptight, stressed and intellectual Philosophy/Theology researcher.
A path to enlightenment.
Christian’s path to ‘chilling out’ is not an easy one as Pernille strips and joins in with the party but he stays stolidly conservative in his choices. We inevitably end up with emotions boiling over and the film turns farcical (in a good John Cleese sort of way) as Christian strips to his socks and causes havoc at the campsite.
Although nudity is one of Christian’s hang-ups, I felt that it was a symptom of a general inability for him to ‘let go’ of convention and to have fun in his relationship and in his broader life. In the end, he comes to the “fuck it all” conclusion that none of this convention stuff matters much and if he needs to step-out of line and break a few societal rules (as he does at the camp site) then he will.
The ending is satisfying.
I’m not quite sure how Pernille knew to pick him up there… but the ending of the film is cute, satisfying and nicely closes the circle.
Summary Thoughts:
A short film needs to get in, entertain and then get out again and this film does that very well. I’m not sure if this one will get Oscar nominated, but if it does, the tricky part might be finding a clip of the film that can be broadcast on ABC during the ceremony!
Trailer:
There is no trailer available for the film.
Subscribe
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to One Mann’s Movies to receive future reviews by email right here. No salesman will call!
