First Trailer for Herbert Nordrum’s ‘Growth of the Soil’ Set in Norway

“What if we actually succeeded?” Beta Cinema has debuted the first trailer for Growth of the Soil, a love story set in Norway from filmmaker Hans Petter Moland. He’s back again this year with a new film which is premiering at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival this month. It’s playing at both TIFF and San Sebastian, and was already selected by Norway as their Oscar submission film this year. Based on the Nobel Prize winning novel by Knut Hamsun, this epic story is set against the harsh yet spectacular backdrop of the Norwegian mountains and directed by one of Norway’s best directors, Hans Petter Moland (In Order of Disappearance, Out Stealing Horses). Two humans against nature, breaking new ground on the outskirts somewhere in northern Norway. Guided by the elementary needs of life, where abilities are put to the test as the challenges loom. But can their love last? Starring Herbert Nordrum (from The Worst Person in the World), Asta Kamma August, Gard B. Eidsvold, Anders Baasmo, Oddgeir Thune, and Sjur Vatne Brean. TIFF adds: “Moland and his superb cast ensure that Hamsun’s story of how this couple’s hard-won home cannot protect them from history’s wider forces — or from more human sorts of frailties and failings — comes to the screen with all the grace & gravity it deserves.” Reminds me of Godland – the reality of living from the land. // Continue Reading ›