The New Vikings

A living History project

Competitive, exhilarating, sometimes Archaeological findings in Newfoundland, Canada, have proved that the Scandinavian Vikings were the first dangerous and always entertaining, Europeans to discover and explore North America – 492 years before Columbus set foot in the new land. The New Vikings will bring to life the saga of how the Scandinavian Vikings But what was life like for the ancient Vikings as they crossed the Atlantic? How were relationships built and lost, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the challenges met and overcome? This extraordinary documentary series offers a revealing look into the ancient Viking crossings, by enlisting the help of Viking descendants to mount a real expedition across the Atlantic Americas, long before Columbus. Ocean.

We will carefully select a group Viking descendants from the Scandinavian countries, United Kingdom and North America – place them in a world set 10 centuries back in time – and watch how ancient history comes alive, as they walk in the footsteps of their predecessors from centuries ago....

At the close of an intensive training period, 8 new Vikings will be selected to make a historical journey. Only the best prepared (mentally and physically) will board an original replica of an ocean-going Viking ship, to begin a 2,600 mile odyssey across the drift-ice and stormy seas of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Duration: 5 one-hour episodes An adventurous journey set in magnificent natural environments, with recreated sets and special visual effects (or 10 half-hour episodes) - all this will make The New Vikings an unbeatable television event for a worldwide audience! Format: HDV THE VIKING ERA Few periods in the history of mankind are more fascinating than the era of the warlike Vikings, who dominated the maritime regions of Northern Europe in the Viking Age.

The Vikings had a reputation as savage warriors, but they were also magnificent The Vikings did not stay long in North America, but the story of their arrival craftsmen, traders and seafarers. One of them, the legendary Viking explorer and contact with native Americans is a remarkable saga. It is this journey to Eric the Red, found an ice-rimmed coast in 982, which he explored for several Iceland and then onto Newfoundland that our New Vikings will trace, finding a years before returning to Iceland, reporting this new place to be a “good land”. connection with the spirit of these grand explorers from more than a thousand With the hope of luring settlers, he named his discovery “Greenland.” In the year years ago. 1000 An incredible 492 years before Columbus’ grand journey into the Carib- bean - Eric´s son, “Leif Ericson”, set out from his father’s colony in Greenland and became the first European to discover and explore North America. He called the land “Vinland the Good,” settling at a place known to day as L’Anse aux Meadow, Newfoundland, Canada.

2 THE SHIP

See the film “Ottar – the ocean-going trading vessel” ! (DVD included)

Our Viking ship Ottar, is an exact recon- There then remained the colossal task of conserving the timber fragments and struction of Skuldelev 1, a sturdy, Oceango- painstakingly assembling all the pieces to recreate five Viking ships. ing trading vessel of the type known as a ”Knarr”. NOTE : We have access to archive material showing the excavation, and reconstruction The original ship was built of stout pine of Skuldelev 1, and a film showing how Ottar was constructed as an exact replica of the planks at Sogne Fjord in western Norway, original ship. and was later repaired at Oslo Fjord and in eastern Denmark. It may have been owned by a chieftain, and used for sailing expedi- tions between Denmark, Norway, Iceland Material: Pine, oak and linden and Greenland. Length: 16.0 m Skuldelev 1 can be seen on display at Roskil- Breadth: 4.8 m de Viking ship museum in Denmark. It is one Draught: Unladen 0.6 m, of five original Viking-ships, which were scut- tled to form a blockade in the Peberrende, a Laden 1.3 m natural channel in Roskilde Fjord near Skul- Displacement: max 36 t (incl. 24 t cargo) delev, some 20 km north of Roskilde. That is Cargo capacity: 20-24 t why they are known as the Skuldelev ships. No. of oars: 2-4 The ships were excavated from the sea bed in Crew: 6-8 men 1962. The blockade was surrounded by iron Sail area: approx. 90 m² sheet piling and the site then drained. In less Average speed: Approx. 5 knots than four months, the five ships were suc- cessfully excavated in thousands of pieces. Top speed: Approx. 13 knots

3 THE CREW

Captain Esben Jessen (35) from Denmark – has 23 years of sailing experience and has been sailing Viking ships for the past 15 years. He has been captain on a 36 feet sailing boat, sailing from Trinidad to Denmark, and in 1996, he participated in an extremely daring expedition, sailing a traditional Polynesian canoe all the way from Denmark to Tahiti in the Pacific Ocean!

Esben Jessen has been Captain on the Viking-ship Ottar, since her maiden voyage in the year 2000.

Navigator Lena Borjesson (50) from Sweden - is one of the worlds leading experts within the field of traditional navigation. She has more than 30 years of sailing experience and has been captain herself on several daring sailing ex- peditions in the North Atlantic. In addition to her career as a respected scholar and scientific researcher, she is also a teacher at Fosen Folkehøjskole in Nor- way, where she teaches different subjects including navigation, seamanship, outdoor coastal life and meteorology.

Assistant Navigator Kristian Weihe (33) from Norway, is a certified Ma- rine engineer, and an experienced navigator in the Royal Norwegian Navy. Kristian Weihe is also fully capable of sailing a Viking ship. He has a masters certificate from the Royal navy, and has been sailing traditional boats in Nor- way since his early childhood.

In the past years Captain Jessen and his navigators have been carrying out a Captain Jessen and his number of extraordinary experiments. crew are confident that

In 2005 they succeeded in sailing Ottar to Edinburgh in Scotland, without any they will make it all the use of modern technology. They simply observed the position of the sun and way to Newfoundland the North Star, and used simple tools like a circular wooden plate, which can – just like their ances- be used as a sun-dial compass. These ancient Viking tools proved to be sur- prisingly accurate, compared to what could have been achieved with modern tors did, more than a satellite navigation. thousand years ago!

In 2006, Captain Jessen and his crew took the navigational experiments one step further, as they sailed all the way from Bergen in Norway, to the Farao Islands and back to Norway without any type of instruments at all. They simply followed the sailing directions as described in the Icelandic sagas.

Sailing an exact replica of a Viking-ship across the drift-ice and stormy seas of the North Atlantic Ocean, without any help of modern technology, will be the ultimate challenge and a dream come true for our captain and his crew. If they succeed in making this journey it will be the first time in history since the Vikings discovered America, and no less than a world sensation!

4 THE VIKING TRAINEES

Our Viking trainees may be from rural Manitoba in Canada, or the city centre of Stockholm, or maybe even from Hollywood, California, but all of them can trace their heritage back to the Vikings.

Those interested in taking part in the journey, will be able to enroll themselves on our web-page, by filling in a standard application form. The following will be used as the base criterion in the selection:

• Experience with sailing similar ships • Other sailing experience • Other relevant experience • Health, physique and mental strength • Commitment according to time Next stop will be The Viking-ship Museum in Roskilde – the ancient Viking We will strongly emphasize the potential dangers involved, in sailing an an- capital - on Zealand in Denmark. cient vessel, without engine, across the drift-ice and stormy seas of the North Atlantic Ocean. It will be a daring and dramatic journey totally depending on The Museum’s large collection of Viking-ship reconstructions, is berthed in the wind and the forces of nature! museum harbour – and five 11th century Viking Ships excavated from Roskilde Fjord near Skuldelev, in 1962, can be seen in the Viking ship hall, providing a Our Viking-trainees must be ready to participate in all training and selection unique impression of Viking shipbuilding skills and craftsmanship. sessions; and - if they make it all the way through - they must be prepared to spend several months, away from home. - In return we can promise an experi- The Viking trainees will be welcomed to the ence of a life-time!! museum, by Captain, Esben Jessen, who will give them their first introduction to the ship 20 pre-selected Viking trainees will get their first introduction to ancient Vi- ”Ottar”, and tell them more about the journey king culture in Ribe Viking Centre in Jutland, Denmark. The Viking centre is ahead. To illustrate the potential dangers, an extraordinary place which provides its visitors with a unique experience and he will show our Viking-trainees a dramatic new knowledge about the Viking Age. Our Viking trainees will be given the sequence from a film about a similar replica opportunity to wander round the reconstructed life-size Viking estate, popu- of the original Skuldelev 1 – the Norwegian lated with volunteers who live and work there as part of a unique historical Viking ship Saga Siglar. experiment. The people in the village wear traditional Viking clothes and work with reconstructed tools and techniques that were used more than a thousand The film sequence shows Saga Siglar caught in an Arctic Storm near Greenland years ago. in 1985 where she struggled with wind forces of 35 m/s and gigantic waves measuring 12-14 metres in height! Saga Siglar survived the storm and com- The Viking trainees will meet the people and the animals and see them at work pleted the journey, proving her magnificent sailing abilities. Sadly the ship - and they will be invited into the long-house to taste a delicious Viking meal was lost in another storm in 1992. and perhaps a pint of Mjöd. Comfortably seated around the open fireplace, they will share their first impressions of what daily life must have been like for their ancestors more than a thousand years back in time. The psychological aspect.

We know for sure, that the journey will be both a physical and mental challenge. Ottar is a relatively small ship with very little space for the crew. It therefore requires a robust and tolerant person to adapt to life on board, and everyone has to work together as a solid team, supplementing and supporting each other.

A professional psychologist will assist in the selection process, using a special version of the popular Myers-Briggs type indicator test. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a personality test designed to assist a person in identifying some significant personal preferences. The Indicator is frequently used in the areas of group dynamics, employee training, leadership training and personal development. We will arrange individual sessions combined with a fast-paced interactive workshop, filled with relevant exercises and team activities. At the close of 2 intensive days, each aspirant will receive an individual report showing how he or she fits in, areas for improvement, how to work around conflict, and methods for problem solving. Team strengths and weaknesses are also spelled out in this report.

After evaluating the test-results, we will select the ten most suitable Viking trainees, who will be invited to spend the next eight weeks in a training camp in Fosen, Norway.

5 THE TRAINING

Fosen Folk-high-school in Norway, offers highly specialized courses, cover- In between the physical challenges, the Viking trainees will learn different ing relevant subjects such as : Navigation and seamanship – boat maintenance craft techniques. Each of them will be making a traditional suit of goatskins, – rope work – sail work – meteorology – and coastal outdoor life. designed to keep them warm and dry during the journey. (Tests have shown that traditional clothes made of skin and wool equals a modern survival suit in Navigator Lena Börjesson will be there to welcome the remaining 10 Viking extreme weather conditions.) We emphasize the whole process, from slaugh- trainees, together with assistant navigator Kristian Weihe, who is a former pupil tering the goats to the finished product – and how to repair damaged clothes at Fosen. (or a damaged sail) with simple tools.

During the next 8 weeks the Viking trainees will receive intensive training de- At the close of eight intensive weeks, the experienced staff at Fosen will ar- signed to improve their Viking skills. Apart from sailing in rough weather, they range a highly dramatic event, where a boat capsizes and everyone onboard will learn how to maintain and repair the ship and how to meet the challenges are thrown into ice-cold water! Those who feel ready to continue after this of primitive outdoor life. Their personal limits will be pushed and their endur- shocking experience, will be invited to join Captain Jessen, Lena Börjesson and ance will be tested. At this point there’s no doubt that viewers have come to Kristian Weihe, as they leave all connections to the modern world behind, and know the participants, and care about their victories and disillusionments. sail off towards the Farao Islands - the first stepping stone to the New World.

6 A JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

“The Captain and his crew will have no other option but to navigate like their ancestors did - by studying the position of the sun and the North Star. ”

Apart from the camera and sound gear there will be no modern equipment available on board the ship. No radio, no radar, no mobile phones. Only the crew and our New Vikings, all of them (including the cameraman and the sound recordist) dressed in original wool and goatskin clothes.

The ship will be carrying a cargo of timber and some animals, chicken, sheep and perhaps a horse - in addition to simple provisions, hay, weapons and tools commonly used in the Viking Age.

The Captain and his crew will have no other option but to navigate like their ancestors did - by studying the position of the sun and the North Star.

7 A scientific experiment

Replicas of original Viking-Ships have been constructed to prove their magnificent sailing ability, but no one knows exactly how the Vikings managed to find their way across the Atlantic Ocean.

Our New Vikings will try to solve this mys- tery. Following the route to Newfoundland as described in the Icelandic Saga, they will be testing ancient Viking tools and navigation-techniques and undertaking much ground-breaking research within the field of traditional navigation.

The Sagas are a great source of history, and their precision in telling have been verified on many occasions.

Tables have been found, which were made by Star Oddi (Stjörnu-Oddi) an ancient Icelandic Viking who was known for analysing the movements of the sun, moon and stars for navigation.

From his studies, Star Oddi was able to predict very precisely the behavior of the sun in relation to the earth’s movement and calculate latitude position at a specific time.

Oddi also developed the so called “sun stone”, which was able to gather week light penetrating through the clouded or foggy sky. This made navigation pos- sible for the Vikings, independent of the sight to the clear sky.

Oddi’s work is considered to be the greatest engineering achievement of the Viking Age. This ancient knowledge which has been passed on from generation to generation, from sailors to sailors, will now – for the first time - be sci- entifically tested.

Navigator Lena Börjesson, will make notes of all observations. She will calculate the estimated position of Ottar on a regular basis, while the exact position of the ship will be monitored by a satellite sender. By comparing the data, we will be able to determine how effectively the ancient navigation techniques actually works

That a woman navigator has a key-position on-board, underlines the historical fact that women played an important role in Viking society. According to the saga, the widow of Leif Ericson’s brother, Gudridur Thorbjarnardottir, was one of the leaders of the third Viking expedition to North America. She was also – according to the saga - the mother of the first European child born in the New World.

8 Iceland:

The final transformation of the New Vikings will take place inDalasysla in west Iceland , a place which certainly deserves to be called a stepping-stone to the New world.

Ancient Icelandic records tell how Eiríkur Thorvaldsson (Eirik the Red) lived in Haukadalur valley in Dalasysla, at a place called Eiríksstadir (see picture right) . There he married Thjórnhild, daughter of a lokal farmer, and in AD 985-6 they pioneered the settlement of Greenland. Overwhelming evidence suggests that Eirík the Red´s son Leifur-Leif the Lucky - was born at Eiríksstadir. A reconstruction of Eirík´s farmhouse has now been built, based on archaeological studies of the ruins.

The remaining Viking-trainees will spend the summer solstice in Eiríksstadir where they will receive their final initiation into the magical world of their ancestors. They will be introduced to the colourful tales of Nordic mythology, and take part in mysterious ancient rituals – all to prepare them mentally and spiri- tually for the most challenging and dangerous part of the journey - a voyage to find the coast of North America!

9 The Final Journey

Besides the captain and his crew (and the film-crew) there will be a group of 5-8 called this location “Markland” or “Land of Woods.” It was here they first came men and women on board the ship for the final part of the journey. across the native people whom they called the “skraelings.” These encounters were the first between Europeans and Native Americans. By now, they are all starting to get into the true roles of the Vikings. They are determined, rugged, and ready for the last push to the New World. By this point in the journey, the new Vikings will probably be physically and mentally exhausted, but still they have to push on, until they reach their final Launching themselves from the South coast of Iceland, the Viking-ship and destination of “Vinland the Good” - now called L’ans aux Meadows in north- her crew will head westward across the open ocean towards Greenland. De- western Newfoundland. pending on the weather, the first part of the crossing will take about a week. Reaching Herjolfsnaes, on the South coast It is the end of the journey for our New Vikings and they have all been trans- of Greenland, the New Vikings will get a formed by the quest,. We have watched the development of the characters chance to fish, hunt caribou and seals, and every step of the way, and tested their capacity as individuals and as a team perhaps trade valuable goods like bearskins – under the most extreme circumstances. and whale-teeth from the local Inuit popula- tion. The Welcome After a few days, they will continue their hazardous voyage through the drift-ice and Arriving in Newfoundland, the Vikings will be welcomed by the representa- stormy seas along the west coast of Green- tives of Native Peoples of the Americas. Government officials will be present land to Baffin Island, where glaciers and from Canada and the United States. The New Vikings are invited to participate mountains drop steeply to the sea. in a peace-pipe ceremony arranged by Native Elders – a reminder of the ancient meeting between these peoples. Heading south, the crew will land their ship on the white sandy beach at Cape Porcupine But best of all, the families of the New Vikings are here (as a surprise), and we on the south coast of Labrador. Behind the witness the powerful reunion for these everyday people, who have been com- beach lay forest-clad slopes. The Vikings pletely transformed by their adventurous journey into the past.

10 The CREATIVE TEAM

Mikael Olsen Zentropa is also known for the “Dogma Concept”, a brainchild of Lars von Trier, Co-Producer — Zentropa which demands that directors take a “Vow of Chastity” to use only hand-held cameras and to refrain from anything that does not naturally occur in the Mikael Olsen has had a long and distinguished career in the filmmaking busi- scenes. This idea has been adopted by several directors all over the world. ness in Denmark. Early in his career, he taught screen writing at The National Danish Film School. This was at a time when he wrote a series of screenplays Amongst Zentropa’s productions are Lars von Trier´s Breaking the Waves such as The Last Viking, Russian Pizza Blues (co-writer), Veiled hearts, Just a lie, which took the Grand Prix at Cannes in 1996. Lars von Trier also directed Knight of Justice. Dancer in the Dark which is one of the largest Scandinavian movie projects ever made. In May 2000 Dancer in the Dark won both the Palme d´Or and the He also worked as an Editor on Denmark’s Radio television satire and story edi- award for Best Female Actress at the Cannes Film Festival. The same year the tor on drama and entertainment programming, where he was a Co-developer film also received the European Film Awards for Best Film, Best Director and of the television series Taxa. In the late 1990’s, Olsen worked as a feature film Best Actress. In 2004 Lars Von Trier´s Dogville, the first feature in a trilogy, won consultant at The Danish Film Institute, supporting nineteen films including: a Danish Bodil Prize for best feature and a Robert Prize for best manuscript. Dancer in the Dark and The Idiots, directed by Lars von Trier, Mifune’s last song, Manderlay, Lars von Trier’s second feature in the trilogy opened in June 2005. directed by Soren Krag Jacobsen, The Celebration, directed by Thomas Vin- It was selected for the competition in Cannes and it is nominated for the Eu- therberg, Fucking Aamal, directed by Lukas Moodysson, The Bench, directed ropean Film Awards. by Per Fly and many others. Lone Scherfig’s Dogme comedyItalian For Beginners won the Silver Bear (Jury’s Between 2000 and 2002, Olsen was a Script consultant at Norwegian Filmde- Special Prize) at Berlin in 2001. In 2004 she won the Audience Prize for Wilbur velopment. Five of the developed short film projects were produced in Nor- wants to kill himself. Director Annette K. Olesen’s Minor Mishaps won the “Blue way. Additional consultant work during this time was done on several feature Angel” award at the Berlinale in 2002. In 2004 she also won the Jury’s Special films including Italian for Beginners, directed by Lone Scherfig, and Fear X, Prize for In your hands. Susanne Bier’s Open Hearts was in 2002 announced directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Some of his more recent work with Zentropa best Danish Film of the Year. In 2004 her feature Brothers won the award for as producer has included: Gitmo (2005), a feature documentary directed by Erik best male and female actress at the San Sebastian Film Festival and has been Gandini; and Visions of Europe – 25 visions 25 directors 1 film, (2004). nominated for the European Film Awards. Director Per Fly’s The Bench from 2000, the first feature of a trilogy, gave him the Prize for best Danish film of the Mikael is helping expand and build upon Zentropa’s expertise in the documen- year. The second feature from 2004 The Inheritance also won the Prize as best tary environment with upcoming projects such as: Italy – year zero, a feature director and was announced best film of the year. The third and last feature of documentary directed by Erik Gandini; Paradis, a feature documentary; and Eu- his trilogy, Manslaughter opened in Denmark in August 2005. It was entered ropean childhood, another feature documentary directed by Thomas Thurah. into competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Per Fly was honored with the Crown Prince-couple’s Culture Award in September 2005. Zentropa Zentropa was founded in 1992 as a result of the co-operation between director Lars von Trier and producer Peter Aalbæk Jensen on the feature film Europa. Bente Milton Today Zentropa is the largest Film Production Company in Scandinavia, a posi- Co-Producer and Co-Director — Milton Media tion the company has maintained since 1994. Acclaimed Danish producer and director Bente Milton established Milton January 1999, Zentropa moved to an old military camp located between Co- Media in 1992. She specialises in producing documentaries and educational penhagen centre and Copenhagen international airport. Numerous other programming, covering subjects including history, science, social issues and companies with similar interests have moved into this area, thus creating a international current affairs. film-city. Over the years she has produced and directed a large number of high profile Zentropa differs from the major competitors in the market by having estab- documentaries including: The Secret Factor, Children of Gaia, The fifth Gate, lished an autonomous company culture. The decentralised organisation and Alison’s Baby. Her personal track record includes more than 20 interna- structure creates greater space to develop ideas within the companies, which tional awards and nominations. motivates both the creative and administrative staff. Many directors are closely linked to the company and appreciate the alternative way of producing. Milton Media Milton Media has produced work for all Scandinavia’s terrestrial broadcasters In addition to producing features for an International audience, Zentropa also - as well as HBO, The Discovery Channel, and PBS, in US. CBC, TV Ontario and produces low budget features as well as international co-productions. The in- Vision TV in Canada; Channel 4, FIVE and BBC in UK, Plus ARD, ZDF, NDR, TF1, creasing activity of Zentropa includes international commercials, documentary, France 3, ARTE, Canal+, TVE, RTBF, VRT, HOS, RTSI ,TVP, ORF and IKON in Europe; entertainment programmes for TV and development of multimedia projects. and NHK and ABC in Asia – and received grants from The Danish Film Institute, Nordic Film & TV Fund, North Vision Cable fund - and the Media Program of Due to the fact that Zentropa often participates in International co-production, the European Union. the company has developed relations to major companies all over Europe and is now owner of several production companies abroad. Zentropa’s sales agen- cy, Trust Film Sales, also handle international sales for other features produced by non-Zentropa related companies, as well as foreign Production companies.

cont...

11 The CREATIVE TEAM cont...

Mark Johnston Co-Producer and Co-Director — Nomad Films Inc.

Mark Johnston began his television career with the Canadian Broadcasting Cor- poration’s nightly newscast The National. He went on to work with the CBC’s natural history series The Nature of Things, the longest running documentary series in North America. He was then brought in to work on Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World, a massive ten-hour PBS/BBC/Global Television documentary series filmed in fifteen countries around the world.

Mark is one of the most sought-after director/writers on the Canadian television scene, and is a veteran of series work. He has worked in various capacities (researching, producing, directing) on landmark television series such as The Human Animal with Desmond Morris (BBC/Discovery) and a thirteen part series broadcast on Global Television, Hearts and Minds: The Heart and Stroke Health Show, hosted by Dini Petty.

Acclaimed and award-nominated many times for producing documentary films such as In the Shadow of a Saint (CBC/BBC/IKON – Netherlands/SBS Aus- tralia) and The Man Who Could be King (CBC and National Geographic Interna- tional), he has more recently directed films such asThe Life and Times of Sarah McLachlan (CBC); Jean’s Marines (W Network); last summer’s Beetalker (CBC/ ARTE); and the epic documentary, Riddle of the Polar Sky, an HD film about the Aurora Borealis (Discovery; ARTE; National Geographic Canada; NDR Germany). Mark is currently directing and producing the major documentary, The Climb, about the 1982 Canadian climb of Everest for the CBC.

NOMAD FILMS Nomad Films develops and produces factual programming for film and television that focuses on a wide range of compelling stories about social and po- litical change, the environment, the arts, indigenous culture and science. The Nomad team has filmed around the world. Nomad is built on the experience of its Associates, who have worked in television environments as diverse as the BBC, Discovery, National Geographic, PBS and the CBC, as well as a plethora of other media outlets. Nomad is currently in production on The Climb, a one hour documentary for the CBC following the first two Canadian climbers to summit Mount Everest back to Base Camp twenty-five years later.

Other major upcoming projects include expanding The Man Who Could Be King into a 90 minute feature film, for National Geographic International and Sundance Channel; The End of Civil Disobedience, a feature length film with Director and DOP Adolfo Doring (Capturing the Friedmans); and Empire of the Word, a four hour series for TVOntario and SBS Australia about the history of reading. Nomad’s first dramatic film, Half a Million Heroes, the story of Nige- rian writer and martyr, Ken Saro-Wiwa, is slated for production in 2007 with Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou playing Saro-Wiwa. design: miltonmedia | www.miltonmedia.com/design miltonmedia design: