Hanna Bergholm on 'Nightborn': A Mother's Horror
Finnish director Hanna Bergholm, known for her debut film 'Hatching', returns with a new horror-drama 'Nightborn'. The film follows Saga (Seidi Haarla), a mother who suspects something is wrong with her newborn baby, while her husband Jon (Rupert Grint) feels excluded and worried. Bergholm, who claims she is not a horror fan, is drawn to stories about fear and family dynamics, particularly the parent-child relationship. 'Nightborn' explores the isolation of a British man in Finland, a culture shock compounded by the couple's remote house in the woods. The film was shot in Lithuania, with Bergholm searching for a forest resembling ancient Finnish woods. Notably, the baby's face is never shown, and the film uses puppets and real babies, with crying sounds inspired by throat singing and heavy metal, mixed with animal noises and even the director's own son's voice. The film is described as a dark fable for adults, touching on themes of self-discovery and parental emotions. Bergholm also adapted Finnish folklore, inventing human-like trees for the film. 'Nightborn' is set for release, with a trailer and more details available.
Key facts
- Hanna Bergholm directed 'Nightborn', a horror-drama about a mother's suspicion of her newborn.
- Seidi Haarla plays Saga, the mother, and Rupert Grint plays Jon, the British husband.
- The film was shot in Lithuania, with a forest chosen to resemble ancient Finnish woods.
- The baby's face is never shown; puppets and real babies were used.
- Crying sounds were created by combining baby voices, throat singing, heavy metal, lion and bear cub noises, and an old man's snoring.
- Bergholm's first film was 'Hatching', also about family dynamics.
- The film explores themes of isolation, culture shock, and self-discovery.
- Bergholm adapted Finnish folklore, inventing human-like trees for the film.
Entities
Artists
- Hanna Bergholm
- Seidi Haarla
- Rupert Grint
Locations
- Finland
- Lithuania