Lister

By Michelle From Hoxer

Translated by Sara Marie Atkinson

In 2004, Norwegian Per Tore Holmberg was a guest at Roskilde festival for the first time. In spite of the bad weather, he decided that he would, in the future, document what he saw and heard at the festival. This has resulted in altogether three "Roskilde - The Experience"-films, and the fourth is taking shape.

"It's about life in the camps, the atmosphere and all the things happening at Roskilde Festival that makes it a unique experience," Per tells us. His face lights up when he tells us about all the happy faces he meets along his way, "It's all smiles and happy faces. During the five years I have been here I haven't seen a single fight."

Life in the camps

According to Per, life in the camps is the most important part of the project. About seventy percent of the films are from visits in different camps, where Per installs himself, drinks a beer and gets to know people. When something entertaining happens he quickly gets his little camera out to capture the situation.

"Many remember me from year to year when I pass by, so it's really cosy," Per tells us.

Regardless of the campers' nationalities, he tries to speak English with them. In that way the films will reach a wider audience.

"Some Australians had seen the film five or six times on the Internet, and then they said, '"We are going to Roskilde"", Per says.

Out of his own pocket

"Roskilde - The Experience" is not a commercial project, but instead it is financed exclusively by Per. Everything ranging from the camera through dv-tapes to publicity is paid for out of the Norwegian's own pocket, and the result can even be downloaded for free from the Internet via The Pirate Bay.

"The other films have been more like trailers, but this is going to be more comprehensive," Per tells us and explains that this year's film will be about an hour and a half in length as opposed to last year's three quarters of an hour.

Per reckons that "Roskilde - The Experience" will be available in about six months time.