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A review of Hans Petter Moland's "Growth of the Soil," Norway's Oscar submission, praises it as a muscular, weatherbeaten rural epic in which wind and the elements function as crucial characters.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**"Growth of the Soil"** is directed by Hans Petter Moland as a period epic in which wind and the natural elements function as crucial characters, audible even in the film's most serene scenes.

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**Norway** has selected "Growth of the Soil" as its official entry for the Academy Awards (Oscars).

Norway Picks Moland's 'Growth of the Soil' as Oscar Entry — SkimNews

By Variety · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-09-16

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"Growth of the Soil" is directed by Hans Petter Moland as a period epic in which wind and the natural elements function as crucial characters, audible even in the film's most serene scenes.
Norway has selected "Growth of the Soil" as its official entry for the Academy Awards (Oscars).
The review characterizes the film as "robustly classical" and a "weatherbeaten rural epic" with a muscular visual style.
Hans Petter Moland's filmmaking centers atmospheric sound design, with wind described as deserving "above-the-title billing" for its pervasive presence across scenes.

Why it matters: By selecting "Growth of the Soil" as its Oscar entry, Norway is betting on a slow, elemental rural drama rather than a contemporary or genre piece — a choice that positions a deliberately classical, landscape-driven film on the international awards stage where it will compete for visibility against higher-profile submissions.