Varg Veum: Cold Hearts – Varg Veum – Kalde Hjerter (2012)

Directed by: Trond Espen Seim | 90 minutes | crime | Actors: Trond Espen Seim, Lene Nystrøm, Bjørn Floberg, Ingrid Olava, Mads Ousdal, Kim Sørensen, Gitte Witt

Private investigator Varg Veum operates at the bottom of society. This man isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and researches things that can’t stand the light of day. In ‘Kalde Hjerter’ – translated into Dutch ‘Cold hearts’ – Veum dives into the world of prostitution. A world that remains hidden from many people. There’s a reason for that.

Veum is startled one day by the arrival of a prostitute. The lady of good morals wants the detective to help her find her friend Margrethe. The woman has disappeared without a trace. Because Margrethe had a disagreement with a customer, her friend fears that something bad has happened. Veum takes the case, but soon finds himself in a shadowy subculture he doesn’t know about. He is completely out of his element.

The dark story in combination with the chilly appearance of the Norwegian landscape creates an uncomfortable atmosphere. Varg Veum is therefore a film series that relies on the atmosphere. Atmosphere and character development to be precise. With each episode you get to know the charismatic Veum better and better. That keeps the series fresh and exciting. Unlike series like ‘Derrick’ and ‘Baantjer’, ‘Varg Veum’ really revolves around the title character. That makes this series a tad different from the competition. You’re going to care more and more about this antihero. Also, the things Veum gets involved in are just a bit rougher than the daily worries of the competition. Veum really ventures into the underworld and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

This movie is again exciting and well acted. Seim has completely mastered the title character. The Norwegian is pleasant to look at and also knows how to emphasize the less beautiful sides of Veum. This character can last for years to come. Private detective Varg Veum is a creation of the Norwegian writer Gunnar Staalesen, who first introduced him in 1977. In 2007 the first film about the gruff detective was released. Veum’s popularity is steadily increasing and the books have already been translated into Dutch, English, Swedish, Danish and German.