This project consists of a series of six short films, all between 35 and 55 seconds. The six films, are all using the commercial language to express a non-commercial message. They all play with the aestethics of commercials, but takes different approaches to the use of manipulative methods in the sense of commercials. Whilst some are humoristic, others play on more traditional family values, and some describes metaphorically the psychology behind consumption.

The purpose of these films, are to work as eye-openers towards our often blind ways of consumption. We hope for these films to questionize our real material needs and the consequences of immense consumption, both on an individual and on a collective level.

The original goal for this series of films, was to take part in an attack on the Norwegian high-consumption society, november 2006, primarily in Oslo, in collaboration with a varies of Non Governmental Organizations. During this one week, the Norwegians was met with the antiads in cinemas (amongst the commercials in theatres in every city of Norway), on the commercial TV-channels, and in the civil spaces of the city of Oslo. Simultanously, there was arranged a varies of debates/ activistic stunts and happenings, provided by the NGO´s, our organisation and different cultural and acitivistic collaborators.

The films can also be seperately considered as short-films, and has been screened at different Norwegian festivals, 2005, 2006 and now, in 2007. Some, or all of the films has been screened at the Norwegian Short Film Festival 2005/ 2006, and at the International Film Festival in Haugesund 2005/ 2006. Not Worth It: Shine also participated in a web-based competition for shorts, arranged by NRK in 2005. Det lille ekstra participates these days in the same web-based competition for shorts arranged by NRK, 2006.

The films are also being used in an educational context, and we have been touring Norwegian high-schools, in 2006 and 2007, and this work will continue in 2008.

The two first films, Not Worth It: Shine and Not Worth It: Glow, was produced in 2004, in co-production with the English company Balfe/Campbell. The four following films, x-mas dream (Drømmen om jul), Trash and carry (Kaste her eller kaste selv), something special (Det lille ekstra) and Backward shopping (Baklengsshopping), are produced by Toobeaucoup, spring 2006. They´re financed by Fritt Ord, Film3, Fond for lyd og bilde and The Ministry of Environmental Issues in Norway.

The project is initiated by Lilja Ingolfsdottir and Sara Eliassen, who´re also the screenwriters/ directors/ co-producers of the six films.

If any questions about the project, please contact us at info@handlefri.no