How Freyja Saved Asgard Film Review

Star rating: 4/5

Writer: Joshua Howes

Director: Joshua Howes

Starring: Charlotte Biseker, Josh Ryan Greenaway, Christian Dennis, Luke Boswell, Leoni Inwood, and Alastair Duncan.

Mythology is foundational to human culture, without exceptions across history or geographically. Ancient Greek mythology and its Roman iteration are the basis for much of Western Art and culture, but Nordic mythology has given northern Europe and its people its singularity.

Written and directed by Joshua Howes, How Freyja Saved Asgard is a quick, fun and effective introduction to Norse mythology for those who, like me, are not very knowledgable of it. It sets the scene for our understanding of the central concept of it, the Aesir-Vanir War, which results in the unification of all Norse Gods into a single Pantheon.

The film approaches the interesting, escapist and ultimately 'cultured' subject matter with humour and ease, reflecting the essence of mythology as story.

The performances by starring actors Charlotte Biseker, Josh Ryan Greenaway, Christian Dennis, Luke Boswell, Leoni Inwood, and Alastair Duncan, are comedic and carefree, almost theatrical in their emphatic approach to dialogue, which fits with the classical nature of the material.

The film is made with a technical frugality which in fact really works. The particular, sharp angles chosen for the indoor shots, reminiscent of the documentary style, fit the tone. There is even the use of special effects to transition from day to night. Fun is how this viewer would describe it! It definitely bring the viewer’s attention to the importance of landscape and nature in Norse mythology. The locations, a forest and a forest cabin, are unmistakably Nordic, both visually and sonically alive with the same essence as the mythology the audience is learning about. The same can be said for the main piece of prop, Thor’s famous hammer, showcasing real artistry by the props team.

Mythology offers us an appreciation of the sublime, narratively, aesthetically and emotionally. In a world which increasingly values shock as a quality form of attention but seems to have forgotten the sublime, mythology is something we can all enjoy, and should, with the help of films like this one, which is deeply entertaining.