For 15 years, cinematographer Øystein Mamen has been the man behind the visual expression of both feature films and documentaries created by #Ole Giæver#, Dag Jon Haugerud, and #Margreth Olin#, among others. Now Mamen is making his directorial debut with the documentary Straff (Punishment) at Tromsø International Film Festival and winning its Faith in Film Award.
The applause is long after the premiere screening of Straff in Verdensteateret. Understandable. For 107 minutes, the scene is set in Halden #prison, or rather a small corner of the prison that has been converted into a kind of monastery. A male and a female priest lead the retreat. Here, a small number of male inmates participate in a three-week voluntary retreat where silence, conversation, and reflection are the main focus. In black and white, well-composed images, Mamen follows four men—all inmates who have committed particularly serious crimes.
At a slow pace, Mamen shows what recognition and #charity can do to people. One of the men’s tasks is to write down what they want forgiveness for. The paper is nailed to a cross, after which they each throw their wishes on a bonfire. A very special atmosphere unfolds around the fire. It is clear that many feel relieved. In a subsequent conversation with the priest, one of the men says that the #murder he has committed was not on the paper. «It would simply be too easy,» he says, «I’ve only served five years.
The audience learns more about the men along the way, and Mamen knows how to let his audience interact with the movie. Do we agree? What would I do? #Forgiveness and #reconciliation are the themes of both the film and the three weeks the men experience. There is time and silence for reflection. But there is no condemnation.
The four walls
An inmate is about to be released. We follow him through a myriad of unlocking doors, eventually reaching a prison officer who kindly points out that it’s cold outside, so he should bring a jacket. Back from the exit, the prisoner tells us that the world outside is violent and everything moves fast. He needs the four walls and the locked door of his cell.
The priest knocks on the cell door. Comes out with the inmate, who is blindfolded in white. «Can I wash your feet?» At first, the answer is no, but then he gives permission. The four men seem obviously affected after the foot bath and talk about what a special experience it was. The foot washing is a clear reference to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet to remind them that no one is so important that they cannot show humility to others.
At a slow pace, Mamen shows what recognition and charity can do to people.
Directorial debut
As the applause dies down, Øystein Mamen and Are Høidal make themselves available for questions from the audience. Høidal is a former prison warden at Halden Prison and is the man who gave permission and introduced regular retreats there. It’s now ten years since, and hundreds of inmates have participated. Documentation shows that #recidivism is very low when prisoners have participated in a retreat, says Høidal. Three years ago, female prisoners were also given the opportunity to attend retreats.
Mamen has created a respectful, loving, humorous film that is hard to shake—a great directorial debut with Mamen’s always beautiful visual compositions. Straff is a movie that leaves the audience in rapt silence.
