Severed Ways

Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America is an unconventional and thought-provoking film that tells the story of Viking exploration in North America long before Columbus. Released in 2007, it's a captivating and slow-burning narrative packed with visceral aesthetics, atmospheric depths, and invigorating natural backdrops. The film is directed by Tony Stone, who also stars in it. Other main actors include Fiore Tedesco and David Perry.

Set in the year 1007 AD, the movie opens with two Norsemen, Orn (played by Fiore Tedesco) and Volnard (played by Tony Stone), who are members of a Viking expedition from Greenland. In the opening scene, they come back from their hunt to find their comrades murdered and the expedition's ship emblazed, presumably by the indigenous people. Left behind in a strange, hostile land, they are faced with a harrowing, excruciating journey in an attempt to return home.

These characters are not fearsome, bloodthirsty Vikings from the stereotypes, but complex individuals with their hopes, fears, and frailties. Their narrative unfolds with minimal dialogue, frequently replaced by the sounds of nature or anachronistic hard rock or black metal music, intensifying the atmosphere of the rugged wilderness that the men must traverse. This unique mix of historical drama intertwined with a modern soundtrack creates a fascinating fusion of past and present, giving the audience a more substantial immersion into the emotions and experiences of the characters.

Shot in the forests, mountains, and coastlines of the American Northeast, the cinematography in Severed Ways is stunning. The raw, expansive shots of nature, devoid of any modern presence, replicate the harsh beauty and isolation of a new world explored around a millennium ago. Tony Stone, the director, and star, beautifully captures the ambiance of the outdoors in its purest form, providing an overarching sense of loneliness and uncertainty that sets the tone for the film.

During their journey, Orn and Volnard encounter Indigenous people, or 'Skraelings' as they were known to the Vikings. Their interaction illuminates both confrontation and compassion, reinforcing the movie's overall theme of survival and exploration of the unknown. The characters' struggles with their environment and their interactions with these native people are among the highlights of the film.

The depiction of the Vikings in Severed Ways is impressively faithful. The costuming, weapons, and other elements of their material culture are based on archaeological findings. The characters communicate in a mix of Old Norse and Medieval English, adding to its realistic portrayal. Several intimate scenes show the characters engaged in daily chores, hunting, cooking, and even constructing a makeshift shelter, showcasing the mundane aspects of survival that often get glossed over in epic narratives.

Severed Ways is an overall extension into an arthouse film that blends elements of the survival genre with historical drama, infused with a rugged and raw narrative. It delivers an unconventional movie-watching experience, tethering between a visual feast of breathtaking natural landscapes and an empathetic portrayal of human survival against all odds. It also challenges the accepted borders of period films with sudden musical anachronisms.

The performances by Fiore Tedesco, Tony Stone, and David Perry are commendable, adding another layer of authenticity to the film. Their nuanced acting breathes life into their characters, creating a formidably realistic portrayal of Viking survival misadventures in the unknown world of North America.

Severed Ways definitely holds appeal for lovers of historical adventures, arthouse cinema, and for those who appreciate different cinematic storytelling approaches. It symbolizes a daring escape from traditional movie-making, replacing dialogue and action with introspection and visual storytelling. The film gives viewers a chance to experience Norse history like never before, in a raw and introspective fashion, and will surely resonate with those who share an affinity for history and untamed wilder landscapes.