Petrolheads

In this remarkable Danish documentary, we follow Martin, who has struggled with various disorders since childhood and desires to be normal above all else. Martin shares an obsessive passion for cars and motorbikes with his close friend Casper — who, with baggage of his own, feels just as much like an outsider. One day, Martin and Casper take off to Germany to acquire Martin's dream car: a 1994 Honda Civic. Through the lens of Martin's older brother and director Emil Langballe, we witness how the two friends' relationship is tested through gullibility, social awkwardness, and the influence of intoxicating substances. Yet, as the film's opening quote states, "Real friends are the ones who show up when everything goes wrong." Petrolheads is surprisingly moving and does a remarkable job of getting very close during crucial moments in Martin and Casper's friendship.

Petrolheads premiered earlier this year in the main competition of the CPH:DOX festival in Copenhagen, where director Emil Langballe was nominated for a DOX:AWARD. It was also selected for the Semaine de la Critique section at the Locarno Film Festival and won the award for Best Nordic Documentary at Oslo Pix. The screening at the Noordelijk Film Festival marks its Dutch premiere.

Petrolheads is the "FilmVrienden" (Friends of the Festival) feature for the 46th Noordelijk Film Festival. "FilmVrienden" can purchase a ticket for this film for just 5 euros. Want to become a "FilmVriend" too? Click here!