New Movies: Facing War (2025) by Tommy Gulliksen

Link to watch: https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/facing-war

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35671816/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/475277/

About movie: http://www.catndocs.com/index.php/categories/conflicts/1344-facing-war

Detailed Summary:

Facing War" (2025) is a compelling documentary directed by Tommy Gulliksen that provides an unprecedented look into the final year of Jens Stoltenberg's tenure as NATO Secretary General. The film offers viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective on high-stakes diplomacy during a period marked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. ​

Plot Summary:

The documentary chronicles Stoltenberg's decision to extend his leadership at NATO following a personal request from U.S. President Joe Biden, amidst escalating tensions in Eastern Europe. It captures Stoltenberg's diplomatic engagements with global leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Viktor Orbán, highlighting the complexities of maintaining alliance unity during crisis. ​

Director's Vision:

Gulliksen aimed to humanize the political processes by showcasing the personal and professional challenges faced by Stoltenberg. He sought to balance the portrayal of "the diplomat" with "the man behind" the role, providing a nuanced view of leadership during tumultuous times. 

Themes:

• Leadership Under Pressure: Explores the demands and decisions faced by leaders during international crises.​

• Diplomatic Negotiations: Highlights the art of diplomacy in maintaining alliances and addressing global conflicts.​

• Personal vs. Professional Life: Examines the balance leaders must strike between their public duties and private lives.​

Key Success Factors:

• Unprecedented Access: The film's intimate portrayal is made possible by remarkable access to NATO's inner workings.​

• Timely Subject Matter: Addresses current geopolitical events, making it highly relevant to contemporary audiences.​

• Strong Central Figure: Stoltenberg's charismatic and multifaceted personality adds depth to the narrative.​

Short Summary:

"Facing War" offers an insightful exploration of Jens Stoltenberg's final year leading NATO, delving into the intricacies of diplomacy during a pivotal moment in global politics.​

Awards and Nominations:

The film premiered at CPH:DOX 2025 as the opening feature and was part of the festival's DOX:AWARD competition. ​

Winner Grand Jury Documentary Award, The Hague Movies that Matter Festival

Critical Reception:

• Cineuropa: Praised the film for its contemporary relevance and the balance it strikes between depicting Stoltenberg's diplomatic role and personal demeanor. ​

• Modern Times Review: Offered a more critical perspective, suggesting the film serves as NATO propaganda and lacks deeper scrutiny of the alliance's actions.

Reviews:

• Letterboxd Users: Viewers highlighted the documentary's engaging portrayal of diplomacy and appreciated the humanizing of political figures. ​

"Facing War" has been recognized for its unprecedented access to high-level diplomatic proceedings, offering viewers an intimate look at the challenges faced by global leaders. While some critics praise its insightful portrayal of international diplomacy, others question its objectivity, highlighting the complexities of representing contemporary geopolitical events in documentary filmmaking.​

Production:

The documentary was produced by Dox Division in co-production with NRK, SVT, and Think-Film Impact Production.

Production Companies:

• Dox Division (Norway): A Norwegian production company known for its focus on impactful documentaries.​

• NRK (Norway): The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, contributing to the film's production and distribution.​

• SVT (Sweden): Sveriges Television, Sweden's national public television broadcaster.​

• Think-Film Impact Production (Belgium): A company specializing in films that drive social change.​

Sales Companies:

• CAT&Docs (France): Handles world sales for the documentary, facilitating its international distribution. ​

Distribution Companies:

Specific distribution partners have not been detailed in the available sources.​

Release Dates:

• Theatrical Release: Premiered on March 19, 2025, at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. ​

• Streaming Release: Details regarding streaming availability have not been announced.​

Why Recommend This Movie:

• Insightful Political Exploration: Provides a rare glimpse into the operations of NATO during a critical period.​

• Humanizes Leadership: Showcases the personal challenges faced by global leaders.​

• Timely and Relevant: Addresses ongoing geopolitical issues, offering context and understanding.​

Why to Watch This Movie:

• Exclusive Access: Features unprecedented footage from within NATO's headquarters.​

• Engaging Narrative: Balances political analysis with personal storytelling.​

• Educational Value: Enhances understanding of international relations and diplomacy.​

Movie Trend Film is Following:

• Political Documentaries: Aligns with a trend of films providing in-depth looks at political figures and institutions.​

Big Social Trend Film is Following:

• Transparency in Governance: Reflects a societal demand for openness and insight into governmental operations.​

Final Verdict:

"Facing War" stands out as a significant documentary that offers both an intimate portrait of Jens Stoltenberg and a broader examination of NATO's role during a tumultuous time in global politics.​

Recommendations for Filmmakers:

• Seek Unprecedented Access: Gaining insider perspectives can significantly enhance the authenticity of political documentaries

• Balance Personal and Professional: Showcasing both aspects of a subject's life creates a more comprehensive narrative.​

• Address Contemporary Issues: Focusing on current events increases relevance and audience engagement.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Invest in High-Access Documentaries:

  • Prioritize funding for documentaries offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to influential political or institutional settings, as these significantly resonate with contemporary audiences seeking transparency.

• Balance Perspectives to Enhance Credibility:

  • Encourage filmmakers to provide balanced viewpoints, representing multiple perspectives within sensitive geopolitical narratives to avoid critiques of bias or propaganda.

• Embrace Timely and Relevant Themes:

  • Support projects addressing urgent global issues, ensuring high audience engagement through topical relevance.

• Promote Collaborative International Productions:

  • Facilitate co-productions across international broadcasters and platforms to widen distribution networks and increase global visibility.

• Leverage Educational Partnerships:

  • Collaborate with educational institutions and think tanks to position documentaries as informative tools, thus broadening audience reach and enhancing societal impact.