NR.24 is a Norwegian World War II drama directed by John Andreas Andersen, known for his work on The Quake. The screenplay is penned by Erlend Loe and Espen Lauritzen von Ibenfeldt. The film premiered in Norway on October 30, 2024, and is scheduled for international release on Netflix on January 1, 2025.
Produced by Motion Blur Films, with Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud among the producers, NR.24 chronicles the life of Gunnar Sønsteby, a prominent figure in the Norwegian resistance during Nazi Germany's occupation.
This historical drama offers a portrayal of courage and resilience, a story of wartime narratives and biographical films. The cast features Sjur Vatne Brean as the young Gunnar Sønsteby, Erik Hivju as the older Sønsteby, and Lisa Loven Kongsli as Gudrun Collett.
Lisa Loven Kongsli, August Wittgenstein, and other cast members of NR.24
1) Sjur Vatne Brean as Gunnar Sønsteby
In NR.24, Sjur Vatne Brean plays the role of Gunnar Sønsteby, a young apprentice from Rjukan who later becomes one of Norway's most popular and efficient resistance leaders during the German occupation in World War II. Sønsteby, known for strategic cleverness and endless bravery, takes command of Oslo-gang, sabotaging the Nazis and keeping his home and land.
The movie tells the incredible story of Sønsteby, how an average youth turns into a hero. Born June 30, 2000, in Norway, young Brean made his early acting debut at local theatre stages before advancing to television and film.
Sjur Vatne Brean is perhaps best known for his breakout role as Glenn-Tore "GT" in the critically acclaimed Norwegian series Rådebank. His portrayal of a troubled but charismatic mechanic has brought him numerous recognition, including a nomination for Best Actor at Gullruten for his distinguished acting talent.
Besides Rådebank, he has appeared in Out Stealing Horses (2019) and Viking Wolf (2022), showing off his talent for playing complex and different characters. In NR.24, Brean cements his place as one of the rising stars of Scandinavian cinema, turning heads internationally for his talent.
2) Lisa Loven Kongsli as Gudrun Collett
In NR.24, Lisa Loven Kongsli portrays Gudrun Collett, a character integral to the Norwegian resistance during World War II. Collett's involvement in clandestine operations and her unwavering commitment to the cause highlight the pivotal role women played in the resistance movement. Kongsli's portrayal brings depth and nuance to this historical figure, showcasing her resilience and bravery.
Kongsli gained international recognition for her role as Ebba in Ruben Östlund's film Force Majeure (2014), where she delivered a compelling performance as a wife and mother grappling with unexpected family dynamics during an avalanche. This role earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 50th Guldbagge Awards.
Additionally, she portrayed the Amazon warrior Menalippe in the 2017 film Wonder Woman, reprising the role in Justice League (2017) and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).
3) August Wittgenstein as Siegfried Fehmer
In NR.24, August, Wittgenstein plays Siegfried Fehmer, a German officer in Norway during World War II. Fehmer is a complex antagonist, representing the troubles within the Norwegian resistance movement. Wittgenstein's performance adds depth to the narrative by exposing the moral dilemmas of wartime.
Wittgenstein is probably best known for his role as Karl Tennstedt in the television series Das Boot (2018), where he plays a German naval officer during World War II. His performance was critically acclaimed for its authenticity and intensity.
Born on January 22, 1981, in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, August Wittgenstein is a member of the princely House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, he has a degree from Georgetown University in Theatre Studies and International History.
His native tongue is German, but he speaks Swedish and English fluently and can also communicate in French, which is testimony to his versatility across multiple leading international projects.
In 2023, he was nominated for Best German TV Actor at the Jupiter Awards for his performance in Höllgrund. With these various roles and a great command of languages, Wittgenstein has set himself up as one of the leading faces of modern European cinema.
4) Erik Hivju as older Gunnar Sønsteby
In NR.24, Erik Hivju plays the older Gunnar Sønsteby, one of the leading figures in Norway's World War II resistance. His character looks back and reveals the strategic and moral ambiguities involved in leading resistance efforts against Nazi occupation.
Hivju's portrayal captures the weight of Sønsteby's decisions and their lasting impact on Norway's history. His character can be seen in an intense courtroom sequence, where he answers questions in the judiciary about the resistance movement.
Erik Hivju, one of Norway's most celebrated actors, has had great success on stage and screen. Born September 24, 1947, in Trondheim, Norway, Mr. Hivju is a household name for the Norwegian performing arts audience.
He has acted in over a dozen television series and films, from comedy to tragedy to science fiction. Mr. Hivju has an Amanda Award as Best Actor for his appearance in Molière's Tartuffe on television in 1988.
Other cast and characters of NR.24
These actors also tell the compelling story of Norway's resistance during World War II.
- Ines Høysæter Asserson as Reidun Andersen
- Mark Noble as John Skinner Wilson
- Lars Berge as Oscar Beck
- Espen Lervaag as Vidkun Quisling
- Per Kjerstad as Karl A. Marthinsen
- Magnus Dugdale as Andreas Aubert
- Morten Rudå as Sverre Hornbæch
More about NR.24
The official synopsis of the movie on IMDb reads:
"Young apprentice Gunnar Sønsteby from Rjukan decides to resist Nazi-Germany on the day of the invasion to later become the leader of the "Oslo-gang" carrying out countless daring acts of sabotage making him Norway's greatest war hero."
NR.24 will premiere on Netflix on 1 January 2025 and be streamed in a few places like Norway and Sweden. The movie is based on the WWII Norwegian saboteur groups, specifically the so-called "Oslogjengen" (The Oslo Gang), led by No. 24.
This group conducted operations with other famous Norwegian saboteurs, such as Max Manus, under the same network. There was a film made called Max Manus in 2008, where this very story is told from his perspective. NR.24 is a retelling of this important part of the history of Norway.
Stay tuned for more updates.