A father’s journey: ‘Way Home’ explores the depths of parental love

A new cinematic gem from Charlotte Sieling

Charlotte Sieling, known for her work on the acclaimed series “The Killing” and the historical drama “Margrete – Queen of the North,” is back with her fourth feature film, Way Home. This gripping drama is set to premiere at Haugesund’s New Nordic Films market on August 20. The film, produced by the renowned Danish company Toolbox Films, promises to be a poignant exploration of familial bonds and the lengths a parent will go to for their child.

A perilous mission in war-torn Syria

The story centers on a Danish father, played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas, who embarks on a dangerous journey to Syria in search of his son, Adam, now known as ISIS fighter Abu Shahib. The film delves into the emotional and physical challenges he faces as he tries to bring his son back home to Denmark. The central question is whether he can convince Adam to return or if it’s already too late.

“It’s a father and son story, ultimately about accepting our children for who they are and letting them choose their own path in life, no matter how much it hurts,” Sieling shared in an interview.

From script to screen: A collaborative effort

The film’s inception began with Cavling Prize-winning journalist Nagieb Khaja and co-writer Jesper Fink, who approached Sieling with a script based on Khaja’s experiences and documentaries from his trips to Syria in 2014. Sieling took on the task of rewriting the script to create a shooting draft that resonated with her vision for the film.

“They needed a director-writer to move the story forward, and I came on board,” she explained. “I rewrote and worked with the script to make it a shooting draft that I could believe in, as the blueprint for the movie that I wanted to make.”

Balancing fiction and reality

Creating a fictional narrative that remains sensitive to real-life events and people was a delicate task for Sieling. Drawing from her extensive experience as a storyteller, she aimed to maintain a balance between cinematic drama and the authenticity of the characters’ experiences.

“Staying very cinematic and dramatic was sometimes a delicate matter, but it was crucial for me to make fiction and not a documentary,” she admitted.

Stellar performances and dedication

Nikolaj Lie Kaas was cast early on as the desperate father, Christian. His dedication to the role was evident from the start. Sieling praised his commitment, noting his physical and emotional preparation for the part.

“Nikolaj read the script and was very excited, so I just knew that he would be the right person for the part. You need an actor who really can connect with material like this,” Sieling observed.

Albert Rudbeck Lindhardt, who plays Adam, also impressed Sieling with his understanding and portrayal of the character.

“He totally got it and made it his own when he came for the casting,” she added.

A challenging shoot in Jordan

The film was shot over 32 days in Jordan, with the support of local production company The Imaginarium Films. The production faced numerous challenges, but the dedication of the cast and crew ensured the film’s completion.

“After running all day up some hills on camera, which was very tough physically, I found Nikolaj running on a treadmill at the gym in the hotel at night. He studied Arabic and was dedicated to getting it right. He was involved with the script before shooting, and in some of his scenes, he actually wrote some dialogue. It was a great creative process!” Sieling recounted.

A collaborative international effort

Way Home was produced by Signe Leick Jensen and Morten Kaufmann in co-production with Germany’s Tamtam Film and Norway’s Hummelfilm. The project also received support from various public broadcasters and distributors, including ZDF, DR, NRK, Yle, RÚV, Oktober Oy, and Scanbox Entertainment.

Anticipation builds for the premiere

As the premiere date approaches, anticipation for Way Home continues to grow. The film’s exploration of complex family dynamics and the harrowing realities of war promises to resonate with audiences worldwide. For those eager to catch a glimpse of this powerful drama, the trailer is available here.

The Norwegian International Film Festival’s industry showcase, New Nordic Films, will run from August 20-23 in Haugesund, Norway, providing a platform for this and other remarkable films from the region.